HMD Global, the company licensing Nokia’s phone brand, will be releasing smartphones under its own HMD brand. Chairman and CEO Jean-Francois Baril announced the move in a LinkedIn post on Monday.
Baril stated that after six years as the “home of Nokia phones,” HMD Global is ready to enter the market independently with its own identity. The first HMD-branded phones are expected to launch soon.
HMD Global Revived Nokia Phones Starting in 2016
HMD Global acquired the rights to produce Nokia-branded mobile devices back in 2016. The company initially released Nokia feature phones before launching its first Nokia-branded Android smartphone in early 2017.
“It has been a great journey as ‘HMD – the home of Nokia phones’ – an exclusive position we have held for the past six years,” said Baril. “Now we are ready for the next step on our journey – to enter the market independently as a force to create a new world for telecommunications focused on consumer needs.”
In just a few years, HMD Global has grown to become the fastest-growing 5G smartphone manufacturer globally. It aims to continue Nokia’s storied legacy in mobile innovation.
Unclear How HMD Phones Will Differ from Nokia Models
No details were provided on how HMD-branded devices might differ from Nokia-branded models. Recent Nokia phones span affordable budget options to mid-range offerings.
For example, the Nokia G60 5G released in April features a Snapdragon 695 chipset and a 6.58″ HD+ display. It remains to be seen where HMD-branded phones will fit within the portfolio.
Foxconn Will Manufacture New HMD Global Smartphones
HMD Global was formed after Microsoft relinquished its rights to the Nokia brand in 2016. Foxconn took over Microsoft’s feature phone business, and Foxconn founder Terry Gou is the main owner of HMD Global.
Nokia-branded devices are currently produced by Foxconn, so it’s likely that any HMD-branded products in the pipeline will also be manufactured by the Taiwanese tech giant.
The new brand initiative demonstrates HMD Global’s growth ambitions extending beyond just the Nokia name. More details on the first HMD-branded phones are likely to emerge soon.
