Nokia Corp. reported its sixth consecutive quarterly loss on Thursday but delivered stronger-than-expected sales of basic mobile phones, propping up the struggling handset maker as it awaits the launch of a new line of smartphones.

Sales in emerging markets of affordable Asha devices, which feature touch screens and other smartphone-like functions, such as social media apps and Web browsers, kept the Finnish company's mobile phone business in decent shape during a tough third quarter before its new top-of-the-range smartphones...