Nokia branded smartphones running Android are coming early next year. Nokia recently announced its plans to return to smartphones and has formalised the move by licensing agreement with HMD Global.
Early this year in May, Nokia announced that HMD Global – a finnish smartphone maker will solely be responsible for Nokia branded products. Today, Nokia has confirmed that HMD Global will be the new home for Nokia phones. HMD has announced that it will begin operations as the new home of Nokia phones under an exclusive global brand license for the next ten years.
Nokia is launching a new section for phones on its site marking return of the once dominant mobile brand. Nokia says its feature phones will continue to be available but HMD has plans to introduce smartphones and tablets later.
"We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown around the world for the return of the Nokia brand to smartphones. The HMD Global team has the ambition, talent and resources to bring a new generation of Nokia branded phones to market, and we wish them every success. I'm sure our millions of Nokia fans will be excited to see their new products," said Brad Rodrigues, interim president of Nokia Technologies.
Just ahead of Microsoft acquisition, Nokia introduced its first Android tablet named N1. The product was not a success but it did turn out to be a futile experiment after Microsoft killed Nokia brand in favour of Lumia.
With Google entering the hardware space recently with its Pixel series smartphones, it will be interesting to see how Nokia adapts to this world. It won't be easier for Nokia to convince consumers especially considering the fact that it won't be building its own phones. Nokia has a legacy, will it be able to live up to it? Only time can answer that.