Nokia-branded smartphones powered by Android makes return in 2017

After a period of absence during which Nokia handed its business rein to Microsoft, which was later transferred to Foxconn’s subsidiary for $350 million, the return of the all-too-familiar Nokia-branded handsets – this time, powered by android, is happening in 2017.

The Nokia-branded handsets took the backseat when the mobile phone market began to shift towards smartphones. In a bid to maintain relevance, Nokia entered into a $7.2 billion relationship with Microsoft back in 2014 which eventually led to phasing out of the Nokia brands as focused was moved solely to the Windows Phone. Microsoft’s gamble with the Lumia brands has not been very successful and could only sale 2.3 million devices by the end of the first quarter of 2016. It then took the decision to sale the features phone business also handing over the Nokia business to FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Foxconn.

Promptly the new owners decided to bring back the Nokia brands and made an announcement back in May 2016.

The realisation will come in 2017 according to a press statement from HMD Global which is formalising a licensing agreement with Nokia for the new gadgets. HMD Global which is based in Finland will be the new home of Nokia phones. The exclusive licensing agreement will last for at least 10 years.

“The excitement of re-introducing this much-loved, well-known and trusted brand to smartphone consumers is a responsibility and an ambition that everyone at HMD shares,” Arto Nummela, CEO of HMD Global said.

Nokia, which launched a new phones section on its website on Thursday, December 1, is known to have experimented with Android just before it was acquired by Microsoft. Notably, its first device after the acquisition was an iPad mini clone named N1 Android tablet.

Part of the partnership between HMD Global and Nokia’s parent company FIH will guarantee quality of manufacture and innovation at scale as well as giving access to latter’s R&D capabilities.

“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown around the world for the return of the Nokia brand of 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,” Brad Rodrigues, interim president of Nokia Technologies, said.

 

FRANK ELEANYA