latest
HMD's first phone with its own branding sure looks like a Nokia
Our first unofficial look at the phone and we can't say that we're excited
The partnership has been sweet so far, but it was only a matter of time before HMD started heading in its own direction to build its identity and deliver to market devices of its own. Although we've seen leaks of these handsets as early as January, we are now getting an even better look, with a new set of renders that shows off the upcoming HMD device dubbed as the Pulse Pro.
The (short) history of modular smartphone upgrades and add-ons
You can upgrade your desktop's GPU, but what about your phone's camera?
Years after Motorola's most recent attempt at adding high-value, high-utility external smartphone modules sputtered out, HMD Global (maker of the iconic Nokia brand of devices) teased the upcoming release of its Fusion modular smartphone add-ons at MWC 2024.
Nokia phones have stood the test of time in not just the public consciousness, but also literally. They’re historically built like tanks, and after its first death in the phone industry, the brand gained a new life when internet meme culture took on its first legs. On the corporate side, the licensing of the Nokia name and phone line was sold in 2014 to Microsoft before being dumped again to Human Mobile Devices (HMD Global) in 2016. Since then, HMD has sold Android smartphones utilizing the Nokia name and even helped introduce the wild idea of user-repairable smartphones to the US, but that’s set to change going forward.
Leak reveals first HMD-branded phone from Nokia manufacturer
The model numbers of two unnamed phones have leaked
While HMD has only been in the smartphone business since 2016, it’s made significant progress since debuting in the industry. The company has expanded beyond Nokia, operating in eight regions around the globe and marketing several products. Now, HMD is making preparations to launch its own branded device without using the Nokia name. Although few details have been confirmed thus far, some information has leaked about what it may look like when it debuts later this year.
HMD's newest user-repairable Nokia smartphone is coming to the US
Phone broke? Order new parts online and install them yourself
With smartphones as critical to our daily lives as they are, it's no wonder we want to get back up and running as soon as possible when something goes wrong. Recently, the movement towards giving smartphone owners the tools, components, and instructions they need to repair their own phones has been gaining a lot of ground. Earlier this year, we saw HMD Global introduce its own affordable and user-repairable Nokia smartphones, with a focus on Europe. Now we're getting ready to see if US smartphone shoppers are interested, too, with the launch of a new easy-to-repair Nokia model for T-Mobile.
Nokia's latest budget phone has a monstrous screen and two-day battery life
It's the Finnish company's cheapest 5G phone and the largest at this price point
HMD Global just keeps on pumping out reasonably-priced Android phones, with its latest model being the Nokia G50. It's immediately clear which niche this handset is targetting — it's the company's cheapest 5G phone yet, and with an HD+ display measuring 6.82 inches diagonally, it's the largest of its kind in this budget price range.
Nokia has managed to ruggedize a phone without making it look like complete crap
Durable XR20 announced alongside budget Nokia C30 and a bunch of audio accessories
After an uncharacteristic foray into the world of smart lighting, HMD Global just got back to business with the introduction of several new Nokia phones and accessories. The headline new piece of hardware is the XR20, a "don't call it rugged" phone that has some serious durability credentials while still looking like something you'd want to carry around. Also in tow is the C30 entry-level handset, a new feature phone, and far too many new sets of earbuds.
Nokia 5.4 review, one month later: Price is a feature
Another reminder it can be perilously difficult to nail affordable-phone balance
Read update
For as much fun as it can be to go hands-on with an over-the-top, preposterously expensive, gimmick-driven flagship phone, I've long held a special affinity for those that manage to do more with less — the affordable handsets. And while I still carry a torch for old Nexus models or the early days of OnePlus, today's budget market looks very different. Players like Samsung (and until recently, LG) make sure they have their bases covered with both premium and affordable models alike, while others like HMD's Nokia line have been catering more or less specifically to this segment. Today I want to look at one of the better-equipped of these still-very-affordable offerings, the mid-range Nokia 5.4.
Last week, speculation started swirling about a Verizon variant of the Nokia 8.3 5G. HMD Global, maker of Nokia-branded Android devices, later released a teaser about a special product launch. Now the phone is official, carrying the distinction of being the first Nokia flagship phone on a major US carrier since the Windows Phone days.
Nokia teases a 'new chapter' for its phones, complete with giveaways and a mysterious guest
My money is on the special guest being a tech YouTuber
Ever since Nokia was sold to HMD Global back in 2016, the company has taken on a new life. Many of its devices are Android One phones that run stock software with guaranteed updates. Now the company is announcing a special event on September 22 that promises to unveil a new chapter in Nokia history.
HMD Global picks up $230 million investment from Google, Qualcomm, and others
This is the first leg of an ongoing funding round
Finnish startup HMD Global revived the Nokia brand by marrying the entire smartphone range to the Android One program. With their new identity, Nokia phones have grown popular, particularly in emerging markets where they can piggyback on the legendary brand image. In a bid to keep up with that growth trajectory, HMD Global recently announced that it has raised a total of $230 million from an investor group, including the likes of Google, Qualcomm, and Nokia Technologies.
Nokia's 5G-equipped 8.3 is coming to the US this fall
The company calls it "the first global flagship smartphone"
More and more 5G phones are being released, but only one has truly international support for 5G bands: the Nokia 8.3 5G. First announced in March, the 8.3 5G is making its way stateside in just a few months, meaning we might have a more affordable 5G option soon.
HMD’s budget Nokia 2.2 receives Android 10 update (Update: Nokia 3.2, 4.2 too)
Many newer Nokia phones are still waiting in line
Read update
Over the years, HMD Global has shown its commitment to releasing the latest Android updates for even its entry-level models. Many Nokia phones from 2018 are already running Android 10 after its rollout started late last year. Keeping up with that trend, the Finnish brand today released the newest Android flavor for one of its cheapest phones released in 2019—the Nokia 2.2.
Nokia 7.2 mid-ranger receives Android 10 update
It was due by the end of Q1 and Nokia's right on time
The Nokia 7.2 is in direct competition against Google's Pixel 3a, and as such, it needs to offer frequent software updates to users. The phone initially shipped with Android 9 Pie but is now starting to receive the latest OS version.
The Nokia 8.3 5G is the first truly global 5G phone, with support for bands in every country (Updated)
HMD Global also announces Nokia 5.3, 1.3, and HMD Connect roaming data plan
In today's livestreamed event that was supposed to take place as part of the canceled Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, HMD Global was finally able to unveil its latest Nokia-branded mobile phones. The Nokia 8.3 5G is the world's first global 5G phone, which means it supports bands in every country in which 5G is currently deployed — even the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra can't boast global roaming capabilities. At the same time, the Nokia 5.3, 1.3, and a new roaming data plan from HMD also made their debut.
HMD, maker of Nokia phones, introduces a global data-roaming SIM card (Updated)
HMD Connect app pops up on the Play Store early, spoils some details
Read update
- HMD Connect is now official (in beta, at least), bringing with it those details we were anticipating on pricing and availability.
HMD Global is the manufacturer behind the Nokia brand revival and has created a plethora of well-received Android smartphones ever since that Windows Phone bet didn't work out. With Nokia re-established, the company seems to be searching for the next frontier, and it looks like it wants to start an additional business as a mobile operator. An "HMD Connect" app has silently appeared on the Play Store, and judging from the description and the listing's images, the Finnish company wants to focus its effort on providing data-only plans to those who travel a lot internationally.
Android Pie Go-based Nokia C2 launches with removable battery
At least it can now connect to LTE networks
After MWC was called off, the Finnish smartphone maker HMD announced a separate event where a bunch of new mid-tier devices is expected to see the light of day. While there's no flagship model in sight until at least a few months from now, Nokia just introduced a new budget smartphone ahead of Wednesday's event — the Nokia C2.
Nokia schedules an event for March 19 to possibly unveil its MWC-bound lineup
A selection of budget and mid-range phones are expected
Mobile World Congress (MWC) has been Nokia’s home ground ever since the Finnish team of HMD Global resurrected the brand. But the company had to pull from this year’s mobile tech extravaganza amidst concerns of the novel coronavirus spreading far more quickly in such mass congregations. Around a month after the MWC show itself was canceled, HMD has announced a separate launch event that is scheduled for March 19 in London.
The Nokia 6.1 has had a good run as one of the best mid-range Android phones on the market. HMD finally announced the 6.2 a few months back, but there was no firn US release timeline. Well, today is the day. The Nokia 6.2 is live on Amazon, priced at $249.If you're familiar at all with the Nokia 7.2, you already know most of what you need to know about the 6.2. The phone phones had the same glass body and 6.3-inch 1080p LCD. Around back, the Nokia 6.2 has a slightly more modest 16MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and 5MP depth (the 7.2 sports a 48MP main sensor). Inside, the Nokia 6.2 has 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a Snapdragon 636—the 7.2 has a slightly faster 660.[EMBED_YT]https://youtu.be/MpZ2I_U4Aa0[/EMBED_YT]As usual, the 6.2 is an unlocked GSM-LTE phones that will work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and associated MVNOs. It's also Android One, so you've got a few years of guaranteed updates ahead of you, but the 6.2 does ship with Android 9 Pie. Amazon has the Nokia 6.2 in stock with prime shipping at $249. The 7.2 is $100 more, which doesn't really seem worth it.Buy: AmazonSource: PRNewswire
Read update
- According to the folks at Nokiamob, HMD states that this was an "inadvertent miss" (which we take to mean "accident") and a future update will remove the option to unlock the bootloader.
For most people, a locked bootloader is no big deal. However, some Android users demand an unlockable bootloader so they can tinker with the software on their phones. Many devices are completely locked down, but HMD might be easing up a bit. The recently launched Nokia 7.2 is apparently the company's first phone with an unlockable bootloader.