Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) Branded Phones Aiming At A Comeback In 2017

Andy Parker
-
0
Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) Branded Phones Aiming At A Comeback In 2017

Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) is planning a major comeback into the smartphone business after more than a year on the sidelines.  In a media briefing to investors, the Finnish Company confirmed that the Nokia branded smartphone would make a return next year.

Nokia Branded Phones

However, there is a twist on how the devices will be manufactured given that the company no longer operates a handset division, having switched attention to the network infrastructure business.  The company says Chinese handset manufacturers will produce the upcoming devices. HMD Global has already acquired rights to launch Nokia branded phones for the next 10 years.

Nokia is to oversee the entire manufacturing process given that its Nokia brand name will be on the line as well as a good number of patents. Foxconn will also have a role in the manufacturing process as it is expected to provide R&D and manufacturing expertise.

Early indications are that the new Nokia branded handsets will run on Android and are likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 430 processor. The device in question will reportedly sport a 5.5-inch display featuring full (1080p) resolution. A 3GB RAM, 13-megapixel rear facing camera as well as an 8 megapixel are some of the other features believed to be on the way with the new device.

Hurdles At Hand

Reports indicate that the Finnish Company plans to announce its first batch of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress early next year. It is, however, unclear the number of phones that the company will announce at the event in partnership with HMD Global.

Nokia’s comeback is expected to come with its fair share of challenges.  Unlike in the early years, things have changed in the smartphone business.  Competition in the industry is on another level the likes of Samsung and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) having started to feel the threat posed by the likes of Huawei and Oppo.

Nokia stock was little changed in Friday’s trading session even on reports it is planning a major comeback into the smartphone business. The stock was up by $0.01 closing the week at a high of $4.16 a share.