Latest news with #Nokia-branded
Time of India
23-07-2025
- 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.
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
