Nokia Smartphones' Uncertain Future: HMD's Shift Towards Its Own Brand

Nokia smartphones, once a dominant force in the mobile market, are facing an uncertain future. The company holding the Nokia brand license, HMD Global, has begun to prioritize its own 'HMD' brand, leaving the fate of Nokia smartphones in question. This shift is particularly evident in Europe, where the official HMD website no longer features Nokia smartphones.

The Shifting Landscape: HMD's Focus on Its Own Brand

The 'smartphone' tab on the European HMD website now displays only HMD-branded devices. However, the 'feature phone' tab still showcases both Nokia and HMD-branded models. This suggests that HMD might be moving away from the Nokia brand for smartphones while retaining it for feature phones. While the situation in other regions, like Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, remains different, it is likely that the same approach will be implemented in these regions in the future.

This strategic shift has raised concerns about the future of Nokia smartphones. While HMD continues to sell and support Nokia-branded phones, the removal of Nokia smartphones from the European HMD website has sparked speculation about the brand's long-term viability.

The question remains: will Nokia smartphones be able to withstand the fierce competition in the ever-evolving smartphone market?

A Look Back: The Journey of Nokia and HMD

HMD Global's journey with the Nokia brand began in late 2016, when it started producing Nokia-branded phones, beginning with the Nokia 150 and 150 Dual SIM. In early 2017, HMD introduced its first Nokia-branded smartphone, the Nokia 6. In 2018, HMD acquired the 'PureView' trademark from Microsoft, a move aimed at attracting users by leveraging a recognizable feature of Nokia's legacy.

Prior to HMD's involvement, Microsoft had bought the Nokia brand license in 2014. However, the mobile phone business under Microsoft's ownership did not achieve the desired success. In 2016, Terry Gou, founder of Taiwan-based Foxconn, purchased the Nokia brand license and established HMD Global, the company currently managing the Nokia brand.

HMD currently maintains two product brands: its own HMD brand and Nokia. However, the recent changes on the official HMD website have triggered concerns about the future of Nokia smartphones.

This strategic shift by HMD towards its own brand raises critical questions about the future of Nokia smartphones. While HMD continues to sell and support Nokia-branded phones, the removal of Nokia smartphones from the European HMD website suggests a potential shift in focus. Only time will tell whether Nokia smartphones can successfully navigate the increasingly competitive smartphone market and maintain their position as a prominent player.