For years, Finnish company HMD Global was behind Nokia phones, producing smartphones and feature phones using the Nokia name. But that partnership has slowly come to an end. Last year, Nokia-branded phones started disappearing from HMD’s website. In its place, HMD now promotes phones with its own brand name. While this change didn’t make major headlines, it’s a clear sign that the long-running deal between Nokia and HMD is winding down.
Nokia Still Wants Its Name on Phones
Just because HMD may be moving on doesn’t mean Nokia is done with phones. A Nokia Community Manager recently hinted on Reddit that the company is open to working with a “large-scale mobile manufacturer.” That means Nokia could be looking for a new partner to keep its brand alive in the smartphone world. Now, a Reddit post from a community manager isn’t an official business announcement, but it does show that Nokia is still thinking about the phone market.
Nokia Has Tried Licensing Before
Nokia is no stranger to licensing its name. Over the years, it has allowed different companies to use the Nokia brand on all kinds of tech products. TVs were made by Streamview, headphones came from RichGo, and laptops from OFF Global. But those deals have also ended, showing Nokia is either cleaning house or getting ready for a new strategy.
HMD Is Struggling Too
HMD Global, the company that brought Nokia phones back, isn’t having the easiest time. It recently said it would scale back its operations in the U.S. This may be a result of the difficult market conditions, internal issues, or strict policies. But for whatever reason, it means that they are finding it hard to cope and are gradually pulling back.
If Nokia is really looking to license its name again, who will be the best man for the job? Should a well-known phone maker like TCL or Motorola take the wheel? Or should a newer company, like HMD Global once was, try its luck? Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: Nokia’s name still has power. It just needs the right partner to bring it back to life.
