HMD Global announces first Nokia branded Android smartphone, the Nokia 6

Finnish-based HMD Global has announced the launch of its first Nokia branded smartphone after securing brand licensing rights last year.

The Nokia 6 will be sold exclusively in China through online retailer JD.com. It is set to be released in early 2017 for 1699 yuan (around $246 USD).

The Nokia 6 is the the first Nokia branded phone to run on Android and comes equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 430 processor, an X6 LTE modem, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, a 16MP phase detection auto focus rear camera for sharp detailed pictures, and an 8MP front camera.

Once the largest vendor of mobile phones in the world, Nokia struggled to maintain market share amid the consumer shift to smartphones. Nokia used Microsoft’s Windows operating system for its “Lumia” range, but in 2014 its mobile phone business was acquired by Microsoft in an overall deal totaling $7.17 billion. Two years later, Microsoft announced the sale of the Nokia-branded featurephone division to FIH Mobile, a division of Foxconn, and HMD Global. Nokia provided brand and patent licensing to HMD.

Last month, HMD Global announced its first devices, the affordable Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM phones, set to retail for around only $26 USD before local taxes and subsidies.

HMD has now laid out plans for the launch of its first Nokia smartphone.

“The decision by HMD to launch its first Android smartphone [the Nokia 6] into China is a reflection of the desire to meet the real world needs of consumers in different markets around the world… it is a strategically important market,” HMD said in a statement.

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Arto Nummela, CEO, HMD Global said: “Just a short while ago we announced the launch of HMD Global. From the outset we have stated that we intend to move with speed to establish a position as a player in the smartphone category and create products that truly meet consumer needs. The Nokia 6 is a result of listening to our consumers who desire a beautifully crafted handset with exceptional durability, entertainment and display features.

Our ambition is to deliver a premium product, which meets consumer needs at every price point, in every market. We start today, with our premium, high quality Nokia 6; built to deliver a fantastic core user experience for Chinese consumers. We look forward to unveiling further products in the first half of this year.”

Nestor Xu, Vice President Greater China, HMD Global said: “China is the largest and most competitive smartphone market in the world. It is no coincidence that we have chosen to bring our first Android device to China with a long-term partner. JD.com is known for its upwardly mobile customer base and it has for many years believed in the Nokia brand and sold millions of our products to Chinese customers. Launching our first smartphone device, in such a strategically important market, with JD.com a trusted online retailer marks a signal of intent.”

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global said: “We have set ourselves a mission to deliver the best possible smartphone experience, with a beautiful premium design touch, to everyone, at every price point. By building on true Nokia phone hallmarks of leading design and materials, an obsessive focus on the latest technology and solving real-life issues, we believe we have a unique proposition for consumers. The Nokia 6 marks the first step on our journey, with more to come in 2017.”