Latest news with #HMDGlobal
India.com
20 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Masterstroke by Nokia, invites large-scale mobile manufacturers to produce phones, deal with HMD to end by..., sales likely to...
New Delhi: Finland technology giant Nokia is reportedly exploring partnerships with large-scale mobile manufacturers to produce its phones. In a community post on a social media platform, the company's executive shared the information. It is important to note that the company is bound by a global licensing agreement with HMD Global, which also owns its phone division. To recall, last year, HMD Global began marketing Nokia devices under its own branding, which opened up potential avenues for Nokia to sell smartphones under its own name once again. HMD Global and Nokia's Licensing Deal Nokia's community manager, in a Reddit post, invited large-scale mobile manufacturers to reach out to them through the company's website for collaboration with the brand. Nokia also plans to explore ways to sell phones with its own branding, especially since its 10-year licensing agreement with HMD Global is set to expire in 2026. However, there is also a possibility that the agreement may be renewed, as HMD Global owns Nokia's mobile division, which it acquired from Microsoft in 2016. Founded by the former Nokia executive in May 2016, HMD Global set out with the mission to restore the Nokia brand to its former glory. With an aim to achieve this, the company signed a 10-year licensing agreement with Nokia to manufacture and market its phones—devices that were previously sold under Microsoft's Lumia branding. Here are some of the key details: In February 2024, HMD Global decided to launch Android smartphones under its own branding This step effectively limited the Nokia name to a few feature phones. Nokia is now pushed to explore external partnerships, as the company will be free to license its brand to another manufacturer in 2026—one that can produce, market, and distribute smartphones under the Nokia name. Neither Nokia nor HMD Global has officially revealed what will happen once the current agreement ends next year. According to Nokia's 2023 annual report, while the company experienced a decline in sales, its patent licensing agreements provided crucial financial support. Therefore, licensing of patents and technologies remains essential for its financial stability. Similarly, its trademark and manufacturing agreements are key to keeping the Nokia brand relevant.
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Is Nokia really looking for a new partner after parting ways with HMD?
Perhaps one of the most iconic phone makers of all-time, Nokia, has stopped making phones for several years now. Although we've had Nokia-branded phones launched on the market even after Nokia decided to sell its mobile business, those were made by another company, HMD Global. However, Nokia and HMD Global will be parting ways next year, so the question remains whether or not we'll still see new Nokia phones released on the market after the collaboration between the two companies ends. To make things even worst for Nokia, HMD Global recently announced plans to scale back its operations in the United States. This means that Nokia phones weren't as successful as HMD hoped, so the Finnish company is now looking to cut its losses and remove itself from a very challenging market. - HMD Global, July 2025 Even though the collaboration between Nokia and HMD Global won't end until March 2026, the former is already looking for a new partner willing to continue releasing Nokia-branded phones. A Nokia Community Manager posted on the Nokia sub-reddit a reply to a user who asked whether or not the company will offer licensing deals for mobile phones after the collaboration with HMD ends next year. - Nokia Community Manager, July 2025 The comment has since been deleted from the thread, but not before the folks at Mobilissimo were able to screenshot it. While it's pretty clear that Nokia doesn't have another partner lined up to take over the mobile business from HMD Global, it remains to be seen how fast it will be able to find one. Nokia 8 Sirocco | Image credit: PhoneArena It's hard to believe that Nokia makes a lot of money from licensing its mobile brand. The Finnish company gains more revenue from its patent and network divisions, and this is happening for quite some time. It's also hard to believe that Nokia phones will become popular again, especially in an oversaturated market. Nothing, Oppo, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi have become much more popular than Nokia, so the company that decides to make Nokia-branded phones will have a tough time returning the iconic brand to its former glory.
GSM Arena
3 days ago
- Business
- GSM Arena
Nokia may be looking to license its brand to a new smartphone maker
Nokia and HMD Global started to part ways last year, which included de-listing Nokia-branded phones from and replacing most with corresponding HMD-branded models. But the Nokia brand may live on in the phone world if the Finnish company finds another partner. On the Nokia sub-reddit, a Nokia Community Manager posted that the company is open to collaborating with a 'large scale mobile manufacturer'. Of course, the words of a social media account manager don't carry much weight and Reddit isn't the best place to find a smartphone ODM. Nokia had licensed its brand in several different segments – Streamview made TVs, RichGo made headphones (and other smartphone accessories), OFF Global made laptops. As you can probably tell from the use of past tense, those branding deals have also come to an end. HMD is not doing so well and recently announced that it will scale back its US operations. Nokia itself had to fend off rumors of trouble – last year, reports came out that Samsung was looking at acquiring Nokia's network business. The Finns were quick to deny those rumors, however, and we haven't heard anything about it since. Nokia will publish its Q2 2025 results on Thursday. In Q1, it reported an operating profit of €156 million on net sales of €4.39 billion. Which company would you like to see pick up the Nokia brand for phones – one of the established players or another startup like HMD? Source | Via (in Romanian)
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nokia retreats from US Market as HMD Global shifts focus
HMD Global, the Finnish company responsible for manufacturing Nokia-branded smartphones, has confirmed it is scaling back its operations in the United States. Citing a 'challenging geopolitical and economic environment,' the company said the decision follows 'careful consideration' and is part of a broader strategic shift. HMD's decision reflects a broader evolution in its strategy.(REUTERS) While the brand will continue to honour warranties and offer product support through its global teams, this move marks a significant withdrawal from a market where Nokia once held a dominant position. The company added that it aims to ensure a 'seamless transition' for existing customers and partners during this phase. Mobile Finder: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched in India Symbolic Exit from a Former Stronghold Once a household name in mobile technology, Nokia has struggled to regain its place in the modern smartphone market. Despite its nostalgic appeal, Nokia's phones have failed to make a mark in the US, where Apple and Samsung continue to dominate. HMD's decision reflects a broader evolution in its strategy. In recent months, the company has started launching phones under the HMD brand, signalling a move away from relying solely on the Nokia name. Focus Areas Going Forward HMD insists this is not a retreat from its core business. Instead, the company says it is doubling down on areas where it sees 'strong momentum,' including phones designed for family use, secure devices, and microfinancing models aimed at affordability. This strategic focus appears to align more closely with markets outside the US, where cost-sensitive and security-focused devices may have more appeal. Impact on Employees HMD also acknowledged the impact of the decision on its US-based staff. The company expressed its gratitude and promised support to those affected during the transition. What's Next? While the move marks a symbolic retreat from a key global market, HMD continues to operate in other regions, particularly in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. Whether its new direction, centred around its own brand and targeted phone segments, can lead to a resurgence remains to be seen. For now, the exit from the US serves as a reminder of how far Nokia has fallen from its peak, and how tough the road back can be in today's competitive smartphone landscape.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nokia phone maker HMD exits US, says '.... has forced difficult decisions'
HMD Global , the Finnish company that has manufactured Nokia-branded smartphones since 2016, is exiting the US—the third largest smartphone market, entirely, ending nearly a decade of attempts to revive the iconic brand in America. In an email statement to Wired, the company said it will "scale back" all US operations immediately, effectively killing Nokia phones in the United States for the second time in its history. With this move, both Nokia-licensed devices and HMD's own branded smartphones disappear from American shelves, including the user-repairable Skyline and the quirky Barbie flip phone that launched last year in partnership with Mattel. Tariffs and economic pressure drive Nokia phone-maker HMD out of US HMD cited "a challenging geopolitical and economic environment" as the primary reason for withdrawal, a diplomatic reference to the ongoing tariff situation that has squeezed profit margins for budget-focused phone makers, in its statement. The company specialized in affordable devices , where slim margins make it particularly vulnerable to additional costs from trade policies. The writing was on the wall for months, HMD quietly removed phones from sale, discontinued older models, and even relegated Nokia devices to a separate section of its website. The company's latest phone, the Fusion X1, never launched in the US despite being available in other key markets. HMD Global's US employees face uncertain future While HMD pledges to support affected American staff "during this transition," the company has remained notably silent about specific job numbers or severance packages. The vague corporate language suggests potential layoffs are coming, though HMD stopped short of confirming whether its entire US workforce will be eliminated or relocated to international operations. What happens to American HMD and Nokia users Current HMD and Nokia phone owners in America won't be left hanging. The company promises to honor all warranty coverage and provide ongoing support through its global teams, ensuring existing customers can still get help when needed. While some devices like the 2024 HMD Vibe remain available through Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, these appear to be final stock clearances rather than ongoing sales. HMD's US website has already disabled purchasing functions, though product pages remain live. The Nokia licensing deal expires in March 2026, potentially marking the final chapter for the legendary brand's smartphone ambitions. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
