Latest news with #HMD
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
HMD to foray in India's sub-₹10,000 5G smartphone segment: Ravi Kunwar
NEW DELHI: HMD said India remains a key market for the brand from a revenue contribution and manufacturing perspective, and it is working with both mainline and digital commerce platforms to sell handsets. 'For us, India remains a key focus market as a brand. To meet the specific needs of Indian consumers, we have introduced several devices tailored for this market, including HMD-branded and Nokia devices. We are also preparing to launch a new 5G smartphone priced under ₹10,000, targeting the high demand for affordable devices in India,' Ravi Kunwar, vice-president (VP) & CEO, HMD India and APAC, told ETTelecom . 'India remains our largest market by resources and financial contribution, and we are committed to expanding our operations, partnerships, and product offerings to strengthen our market position in both feature phones and smartphones,' he added. ETTelecom in its February 7, 2025, edition, reported that the sub-₹10,000 5G smartphone shipments may contribute to the overall industry's volumes despite multiple challenges, albeit in single digits. The brand is present in more than 1 lakh traditional or mainline retail stores in India, but it is now 'significantly working' with both e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, and quick-commerce channels, including Blinkit, Kunwar said. HMD's brand e-store, according to him, is expanding and strengthening in terms of product availability and distribution channels. 'Our strategy involves working closely with distributors and retailers, offering comprehensive support and incentives, as well as engaging in robust marketing activities to optimize reach and execution, especially ahead of major sales cycles,' he said. The top executive's comments come at a time when HMD is scaling back its operations in the USA amid a 'challenging geopolitical and economic environment', the international media reported recently. HMD, in 2016, had bought the Nokia feature phone business from Microsoft and had also secured a license to sell Nokia-branded smartphones and tablets, particularly in the mid-range segment. However, HMD Global is now focused on selling smartphones under its own brand and exploring white-label manufacturing opportunities. This followed after HMD signed an agreement with Finnish Nokia in 2023 to ramp down the smartphone business, with which it had forayed into the market in 2016. READ MORE | Sub-$100 smartphone to boost affordability, experience, 5G shift: Qualcomm's Savi Soin '95% of our devices are manufactured in India. Over the past couple of years, we've also started exporting these 'Made in India' devices to other countries,' Kunwar said. 'India is not only our manufacturing hub but also the most important market for us from both a business perspective and a growth opportunity standpoint,' he added. Prachir Singh, a senior analyst with Counterpoint Research, told ETTelecom that HMD, including its Nokia-branded smartphones, has maintained a low market share in India, primarily due to a limited product lineup, weak channel engagement, and declining consumer recall. 'The brand hit a peak in Q2 2023. However, its share remained below 1%. HMD officially entered the Indian smartphone market under its own branding in Q3 2024 with the Crest and Crest Max series. However, these models struggled to gain traction amid intense competition and a crowded value segment,' Singh said. As a result, HMD presently has a marginal presence in India, with the brand 'significantly outpaced by more aggressive and better-positioned rivals', he added. Kunwar said that in the feature phone segment, the brand is currently 'number one in value and a close number two in volume', making this category a strong performer for the company in India.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Nokia hasn't made phones for years, but it isn't finished milking its name yet
Robert Triggs / Android Authority TL;DR Nokia has confirmed via Reddit that it's looking to team up with phone makers for licensing opportunities. The company was answering a question regarding future licensing deals for mobile phones. This also comes as HMD and Nokia's partnership draws to an end. HMD and Nokia have been winding down their brand licensing partnership in recent years. This deal saw HMD releasing smartphones and feature phones under the Finnish brand's name. Nokia has now taken to an unlikely avenue to confirm that it's still looking for new partners. The official Nokia Community Manager account confirmed on Reddit (via Mobilissimo) that the company is looking for a 'large scale mobile manufacturer' who wants to explore 'collaboration opportunities.' Check out the screenshot below. This is an interesting way for Nokia to reveal that it wants to license the Nokia brand to another phone maker. To be fair, the company was responding to a user query regarding brand licensing. This answer nevertheless suggests that Nokia hasn't found a new partner as the HMD deal winds down. Is it even worth licensing the Nokia name anymore? This news comes almost two years after HMD announced that it would make smartphones under its own name. However, the company still offers Nokia-branded feature phones. It's believed HMD's licensing deal with Nokia will expire in 2026. Do you think a new phone maker should license the Nokia name? 0 votes Yes, absolutely NaN % Maybe, it depends on the company NaN % No, this ship sailed a long time ago NaN % HMD acquired many Nokia-related patents as part of the deal, had many ex-Nokia employees, and released numerous modern takes on classic devices. The upstart company also released the ambitious but flawed Nokia 9 PureView flagship phone, but failed to follow up with more flagship phones. Instead, the company switched to mid-tier releases and repairable phones. More recently, the company announced it will exit the US, citing the 'challenging geopolitical and economic environment.' Despite HMD's challenges, I'm not sure any other brand can do much better with the Nokia name. A larger company might be able to release more cutting-edge Nokia-branded flagships and offer more marketing and R&D resources. However, HMD still fell short despite its unique aforementioned advantages. Furthermore, I'm guessing the Nokia brand has significantly waned among younger users. That means you probably shouldn't hold your breath for the Nokia name to challenge Samsung, Apple, and others again. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business Standard
HMD T21 tablet launched with 2K display, 8,200mAh battery: Price, specs
HMD T21 tablet debuts in India with 2K resolution display, 8MP front and rear cameras, Unisoc T612 chip, and second screen feature New Delhi HMD has expanded its portfolio in India with the launch of its latest tablet, the HMD T21. The HMD T21 tablet features a 10.36-inch display and packs an 8,200mAh battery. It also supports 4G voice calling, has a kid-friendly content mode, and offers active pen (sold separately) support for those who want to use it for creative tasks. HMD T21: Price and availability Price: Rs 15,999 Colour: Black Steel HMD T21: Features and specifications The tablet sports a 10.36-inch 2K display with SGS low blue light certification to help reduce eye strain during long usage sessions. In terms of sound, the tablet uses OZO Audio playback technology, which is claimed by HMD to improve clarity by reducing background noise. The HMD T21 tablet is powered by the Unisoc T612 octa-core processor, paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The tablet runs on Android 13, with the Android 14 update already rolled out, and includes features like face unlock, dual stereo speakers, Google Kids Space, and Netflix HD certification. For photography or video chats, the T21 includes 8MP front and rear cameras, both with autofocus and LED flash. Powering the tablet is an 8,200mAh battery coupled with an 18W charger in the box. It also includes a Second Screen feature, allowing the tablet to work as an extra display for your PC, useful for multitasking. Active pen support is available for sketching or note-taking, though the pen is sold separately. The HMD T21 is IP52-rated for basic water and dust resistance. It supports 4G calling, SMS, dual SIMs, and Wi-Fi connectivity. HMD T21: Specifications Display: 10.36-inch 2K (2000×1200) IPS panel, SGS low blue-light certification Processor: Unisoc T612 RAM: 8 GB Storage: 128 GB OS: Android 13 (Android 14 update available) Battery: 8,200 mAh, 18 W wired charging Rear Camera: 8 MP Front Camera: 8 MP Audio: Dual stereo speakers, OZO Audio playback Connectivity: 4G LTE, dual SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
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.
Phone Arena
13-07-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
HMD, licensee of the Nokia phone brand, is hanging up on the U.S. phone market
On Threads, Wired's Julian Chokkattu shared a statement from HMD that was released a few days ago. The company is known for licensing the Nokia name since 2016 for use on Android smartphones, feature phones, tablets, and accessories. In the statement, HMD says that it is "scaling back" its U.S. operations. Noting that it has a priority to ensure a seamless transition for its customers and business partners, HMD says it will honor warranties, continue to provide service for existing products, and provide full support globally. The company says that the "challenging geopolitical and economic environment" has led it to cut back on its U.S. operations. We assume that these "geopolitical and economic" issues are related to the tariffs that the U.S. is imposing on products being imported into the United States. While the company is using the phrase "scaling back," it seems more likely that this statement marks the end of HMD's business selling phones and other related consumer electronics in the U.S. HMD also mentioned that it deeply values the contributions of its U.S. colleagues who are affected by the company's action and says that it will continue to help support them during the transition. Some of the Nokia phones built by HMD brought back older, popular Nokia feature phones that were big hits before the iPhone took smartphone popularity to a new level. Those included the Nokia 3310 (originally released in 1997 and re-released by HMD in 2017) and the Nokia 8110 (launched in 1996 and re-released in 2018 as the Nokia 8110 4G). The latter was the "Banana phone" used in "The Matrix." The Nokia 3310 re-issue brought back the iconic "Snake game made famous with the original release. The five 12MP cameras on the back of the 2019 Nokia 9 made by HMD. | Image credit-PhoneArena In 2019, HMD brought back the PureView name originally used on the Nokia 808 PureView in 2012. The Nokia 9 PureView had so many issues, we gave it a 4 out of 10. The processor in this 2019 flagship was from 2018; there were issues with the camera software, and the battery quickly ran out of power during a typical day. In January 2024, HMD decided to stop using the Nokia name and sold its new phones under the HMD moniker, which stands for Human Mobile Devices. The Wired's Julian Chokkattu shares HMD's goodbye message to the U.S. on Threads. | Image credit-Threads HMD's licensing agreement with Nokia ends in 2026. Unless another company wants to give the name another shot in the highly competitive smartphone market, it appears that Nokia will soon join BlackBerry as two early leaders in the smartphone industry that couldn't keep up with the changes to the device that were first made by by Apple in 2007. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
