Nokia's return to the mobile space is now under way with the Nokia 6. But this is just the beginning...Nokia 6 Android Phone Sells Out In Record TIME
- Display: 5.50-inch
- Processor: 1.1GHz octa-core
- Front Camera: 8-megapixel
- Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels
- RAM: 4GB
- OS: Android 7.0
- Storage: 64GB
- Rear Camera: 16-megapixel
- Battery Capacity: 3000mAh
Nokia & HMD: What's The Deal?
- HMD Global enters the market today, to create a new generation of Nokia branded mobile phonesthrough an exclusive 10-year brand licensing agreement
- Effective immediately, HMD will own the existing Nokia branded feature phone business, providing global market reach and scale
- HMD Global leadership team announced; ambition to become significant player in the global smartphone market
- Strategic partnership model with leading industry players and world-class expertise to bring the very best Nokia mobile phone experience to global consumers
Nokia "Heart"
The Nokia E1
The Nokia 6
The Nokia 8
Nokia Android: Price
Nokia & HMD: Official Statements & Google Co-Op
Nokia Android: The Early Rumours & Leaked Specs
Major Nokia D1C Leak Reveals Tons Of Specs & Details
- 5in 1080p resolution display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 1.4GHz octa-core processor
- Adreno 505 GPU
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB onboard storage
- 13MP primary camera
- 8MP front-facing camera
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 5.5in 1080p resolution display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 1.4GHz octa-core processor
- Adreno 505 GPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 16GB onboard storage
- 16MP primary camera
- 8MP front-facing camera
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- Display: 5 inches, Full HD / 5.5 inches Full HD
- Platform: Android and (Windows 10 in selected markets)
- Memory: 32 GB, 2 GB RAM or 64 GB, 3GB RAM
- Camera: 8 MP and 5 MP / 13 MP and 5 MP
This year, 2017, is the year when Nokia returns to the smartphone space. Will it be a triumphant return? We hope so, and there's every reason to belive it could be given Nokia's history in the space. On top of that, the Nokia 6 has now hit the market, though is currently an exclusive to China, but it is selling like the proverbial hotcakes; pre-orders were through the roof, and the handset has literally sold out in minutes. Clearly interest and demand in Nokia Android devices is sky high.
Nokia's deal with Microsoft has now expired, so the firm can once again launch its own devices with its own branding onboard.
It won't be Lumia or Windows Phone any more, nope, what we're looking at is Android all the way. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Nokia is BACK!
Nokia's first Android-powered smartphone, the Nokia 6 sold out in under one minute.
That’s right: One minute…
The handset, which is a China exclusive, was releases as part of a flash sale that over one million people signed up to enter.
At the time of reporting it is unclear exactly how many units Nokia sold of its Nokia 6 handset. But the fact that it sold out is very good news for the company’s return to the space.
The Nokia 6 isn’t even Nokia’s flagship; nope, that handset is destined to launch at MWC 2017 and that phone WILL be coming to the UK and US.
Check out the specs for the Nokia 6 below:
"With the arrival of Nokia 6," said HMD at launch, "consumers will see superior craftsmanship and design quality in action. It takes 55 minutes to machine a single Nokia 6 from a solid block of 6000 series aluminium. It then receives two separate anodising processes, taking over ten hours to complete, with each phone being polished no less than five times. The end result is an aluminium unibody with the highest level of visual and structural quality."
Arto Nummela, CEO, HMD Global said: “Just a short while ago we announced the launch of HMD Global. From the outset we have stated that we intend to move with speed to establish a position as a player in the smartphone category and create products that truly meet consumer needs. The Nokia 6 is a result of listening to our consumers who desire a beautifully crafted handset with exceptional durability, entertainment and display features.
Our ambition is to deliver a premium product, which meets consumer needs at every price point, in every market. We start today, with our premium, high quality Nokia 6; built to deliver a fantastic core user experience for Chinese consumers. We look forward to unveiling further products in the first half of this year.”
While Microsoft might be gone, Nokia isn't without partners in this endeavour, although partner isn't exactly the right word. Nokia is now OWNED by HMD, another Finnish company. But who are HMD?
Here's how the company describes itself in its official marketing materials:
"Nokia is known around the world for its history of innovation, including in mobile phones. As the new home of Nokia phones, HMD will write the next chapter for these products. HMD plans for its future Nokia branded smartphones and tablets to run on the Android operating system, uniting one of the world’s iconic mobile brands with the leading mobile software and app development community."
On December 1 2016, HMD Global has issued a press release on the subject of its plans with Nokia in 2017. Amongst the details there is confirmation of new handsets arriving next year. The company stated that "new Nokia smartphones on Android operating system [will be] available in H1 2017."
"Today marks a happy and important day for HMD. Nokia has been one of the most iconic and recognisable phone brands globally for decades. The excitement of re-introducing this much-loved, well-known and trusted brand to smartphone consumers is a responsibility and an ambition that everyone at HMD shares.
Driven by the extremely positive reception we have received since HMD was announced earlier this year, we are excited about building the next chapter for Nokia phones. We see this as a brilliant opportunity to solve real life consumer problems and to deliver on the quality and designs that the Nokia brand has been always known for. Our talented and passionate team is uniquely placed in this modern setup to deliver our promise of reliable, beautifully crafted and fun Nokia phones for consumers across the globe."
The Nokia brand, as rumoured, is returning to the mobile space to make Android-powered smartphones and tablets. The news was confirmed in a press release from the company, which is now owned by HMD, a new company set up to enable the proliferation of Nokia-branded phones and tablets.
Here’s the official line from HMD on what’s happening:
“HMD has been founded to provide a focused, independent home for a full range of Nokia-branded feature phones, smartphones and tablets. To complete its portfolio of Nokia branding rights, HMD announced today that it has conditionally agreed to acquire from Microsoft the rights to use the Nokia brand on feature phones, and certain related design rights. The Microsoft transaction is expected to close in H2 2016. Together these agreements would make HMD the sole global licensee for all types of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. HMD intends to invest over USD 500 million over the next three years to support the global marketing of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets, funded via its investors and profits from the acquired feature phone business.”
Nokia will not be investing any money in the project but it will receive royalties and sit on the board of HMD’s directors. Quite a few of Nokia’s old top brass will be returning to the fold as well.
“This agreement will give HMD full operational control of sales, marketing and distribution of Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets, with exclusive access to the pre-eminent global sales and distribution network to be acquired from Microsoft by FIH, access to FIH’s world-leading device manufacturing, supply chain and engineering capabilities, and to its growing suite of proprietary mobile technologies and components,” said HMD in a press release.
What this means is simple: Nokia WILL return with Android phones and tablets, as well as wearables off the back of its Withings acquisition.
Nokia has confirmed that it will release two Android phones inside early 2017. Previous rumours pointed to a launch during Q4 2016, but this didn't occur. Nokia will apparently announce the phones at MWC 2017 and a release will follow shortly thereafter.
Nokia is also rumoured to be prepping a MASSIVE Android-powered tablet as well. And when we say massive, we really do mean massive – it’s said to have an 18in display.
The unnamed tablet showed up in benchmarks over the weekend and could well be Nokia’s plot for taking on Apple’s iPad Pro, as well as Microsoft’s Surface line of hybrids and laptops.
There will be at least two phone models: a mid-ranger and a flagship handset. The latter is naturally the one most people are interested in, as it is the phone that will go head-to-head with the likes of Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S8, which will get a release around the same time.
Word on the street suggests the flagship handset will pack in Qualcomm’s brand new and as-yet-unreleased Snapdragon 835 CPU and a whopping 6GB of RAM.
The other handset will also feature the Snapdragon 835, but make do with “only” 4GB of RAM. Carl Zeiss imaging will return on one or both of the handsets will feature a dual-lens camera setup, similar to what we saw on the LG G5 and iPhone 7 Plus earlier on in 2017.
As of January 4 2017, evidence has emerged in the form of a leaked presentation slide. The slide, shown in a photo picked up by NPU, apparently shows that ambitions for Nokia-branded Android devices in 2017 extend to a suite of as many as six or seven handsets. The slideshow was showcased by Malaysian device distributor Avaxx and shows that a "total of 6-7 models will be available by end 2017."
It adds that "Entry, Mid & High End Smartphones," will be part of this line-up. Over time it seems, perhaps with more and more positive media coverage, Nokia and HMD's plans have expanded from initially just a handful of two or three phones, then to five, and now to as many as six or even seven. Of course it's also possible that all of them were planned, or at least prototyped, all along and it's only that evidence has emerged gradually.
On January 23 2017, evidence has emerged that there may be a new lower-end Nokia model which is reportedly codenamed "Heart". The phone rocked up in a set of benchmark results on the GFXBench database; it shows that at its core this is similar to the Nokia 6 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 CPU, however, pretty much ever other spec on the sheet has been downgraded from the Nokia 6's spec line-up.
It's still running Android 7.0 Nougat, of course, and packs a 5.2in 720p display panel. The CPU is clocked at 1.4GHz and uses the Adreno 505 GPU and 2GB of RAM. There's 16GB of onboard storage, a 12MP primary camera and an 8MP secondary. With this lower spec, we'd expect a lower price; it has been rumoured that some new Nokia Android phones will cost as little as $150 and this could be a possible candidate as the Nokia 6 has a slightly higher spec and a $250 price tag in China.
One of the forthcoming models is the Nokia E1, a leak on Friday 6 January has revealed the specs for the device; a 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor with an Adreno 308 GPU runs the show, along with 2GB RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. The touch display is a 720p setup at either 5.2in or 5.3in, while the cameras are a 13MP primary and a 5MP secondary.
The Nokia 6, meanwhile, leaked on China's Weibo social network where one lucky tipster managed to get some hands-on time with the device, including photos.
As mentioned, this phone, model number TA-1000, will only launch in China and is a mid-range model at $250, but features an aluminium metal body which perhaps gives us some indication of how the other devices in the series will look.
We get a view of the device from a range of angles, and it's looking pretty slick it must be said. The handset is a solid-black slate sculpted from a single piece of aluminium. The entire frontage is more of less taken up by its 5.5in 1080p display, which measures 5.5in diagonally.
As for specs, you’re looking at 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of onboard storage alongside microSD support, Snapdragon 430 CPU, a 16 megapixel main camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery.
The Nokia 6 will run Android Nougat out the box but, unfortunately, is only launching in China at the moment. The reason? China is still a growth market, so it will be easier for Nokia to establish itself there versus inside the more fixed and stagnant markets of Europe and the US.
This is a mid-range handset. The price will be low, hence HMD’s focus on China where price is a HUGE driving force for adoption. The handset will be priced at around $245, making it very accessible – even in China’s market, alongside brands like Xiaomi.
The Nokia 6 will be available inside early January and will be exclusively available in China via JD.com.
According to reports on January 11, the Nokia 6 might actually become an internationally released model in time. It's by no means confirmation, but a version of the Nokia 6 has been spotted passing its Bluetooth certification, and this is not the same version we've seen being prepped for launch in China either. The new model, seen listed in a database filing, carries the model number TA-1003, as opposed to the China version whih is TA-1000. The timing of the certification suggests that the handset may be in the preparatory stages of an announcement timed for the MWC 2017 expo in Barcelona in late February - an announcement at the event would likely be aimed globally.
Remember, however, that the Nokia 6 is still a mid-ranger, not a flagship phone, so we're still expecting a major release for a lead model from Nokia at MWC.
While reports have recently emerged of a Nokia 8 flagship being showcased at CES at Qualcomm's booth, the latest word suggests that it's not a Nokia device at all.
The reports claimed there would be two Nokia 8 models, one powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835, with 6GB of RAM and a Carl Zeiss 24MP camera with optical and electronic stabilisation. It was said to have a 12MP front-facing camera, and 64GB or 128GB onboard storage with microSD support on top. The other edition would be slightly cheaper and use a Snapdragon 821 chip and 4GB of RAM, but camera specs are unknown.
But apparently this might all be a load of bull, according to a claim from Qualcomm's PR department. Nokiamob has published an email from Qualcomm's Senior Manager of Public Relations, Catherine Baker, who outlines that the reports are "not accurate".
"Our [Snapdragon] 835 demos were on our own reference design devices which we use to demo our latest Snapdragon SOC's every year," she adds.
Firstly, this could just be damage control, but we have to take it at face value for now. That said, it doesn't mean that a Nokia 8 doesn't exist and won't be showcased at MWC 2017, it just means, if true, that this device leak isn't it.
Reports on December 11 indicate that Nokia's forthcoming Android handsets could in some cases be priced as low as $150. The word comes via Nokia Power User, which received information from a tipster, though notes that this is not one of their regular sources so they encourage caution. Anyway, the tipster notes that the 3GB RAM Nokia D1C will cost $200 while the 2GB RAM lower-end model will be only $150.
"Nokia D1C is going to be one of the first Nokia Android Phones to be launched as per this tip," wrote NPU, "It will be revealed to the world at MWC 2017. Again as claimed in another interview, Nokia Android Phones should be available very soon post their launch."
Nokia has announced that its CEO, Rajeev Suri, will be speaking at a keynote at MWC 2017, alongside chief execs of major carrier networks and app and service developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft's CEO of its Asia-Pacific branch, James Rutherfoord, has gone on the record saying HMD Global - the firm which has acquired the rights to sell Nokia phones and is teaming up with Nokia itself - will launch multiple devices in 2016 and 2017.
HMD's Chief Executive, Arto Nummela, has been discussing the upcoming Nokia Android Phones now that the cat is out the bag. According to Nummela, who sat down with The Economic Times of India, the handsets will be true to Nokia’s existing design pedigree.
"It will be premium quality [and a] design that people will immediately recognise as Nokia," he said, revealing the company is planning to go "global from day one for our feature phone business.”
Nummela said Nokia will be extremely competitive with respect to pricing and specs.
"We have the brand equity and we want to leverage that to the fullest. Every product, marketing, will be true to the Nokia brand and the foundation of it.
"Stability, quality, reliability, and then we're bringing in innovation where it matters the most for [the] consumer, and removing the clutter. This will be seen through [the] Nokia line up coming to life again." he said.
On December 2 word has emerged that Google is "closely" involved with Nokia's new Android phones. The info comes via an article in Reuters, which was originally published featuring a comment about a "close partnership" between Nokia and Google for development of the new hardware, however, as Android Authority reports, the article has since been edited and the quotation removed for reasons unknown.
"Update: Reuters has since removed the “close partnership” comment from its article (which you can still read via The Way Back Machine), either indicating that HMD or Google requested its removal or that Reuters misunderstood the comments made by Arto Nummela on HMD’s collaboration with Google and clarified the text of the article," reads a new segment of AA's report.
The original reporting via AA is as follows:
"HMD Global CEO Arto Nummela told Reuters that its first forays into the Android smartphone world have been conducted in close partnership with Google."
"The details of that partnership are not public, but it would be easy to guess the kinds of advice Google would have for a new player in the Android space, especially one that casts as long a shadow as Nokia. For instance, if we see a Moto-esque “stock Android+” on the new Nokias, with a few custom tweaks on top, I wouldn’t be at all surprised."
As of November 21, Nokia itself has released details confirming its plans to release new smartphone devices in 2017. Nokia gave a presentation to investors at a Capital Markets Day event and a PDF file is now hosted on the firm's webpage which includes the slides for that presentation. Amongst the slides there is a roadmap for 2016-2018. For the 2016 we can see Nokia's recent acquisition of health tech firm Withings, "brand & patent licenses" under HMD, license agreement expansion with Samsung, and the firm's OZO VR Camera.
For 2017, Nokia talks about plans for "expanded VR leadership", which could be interpreted in any number of ways, but dare we hope for a VR headset? "Digital Health" branding is also mentioned, probably capitalising on the Withings acquisition; it's possible we could see new health and fitness wearables from Nokia. There's also talk of further "patent licensing expansion in mobile, automotive and consumer electronics," which all sounds very promising. BUT, the real meat comes in this simple line:
"Nokia brand's return to smartphones."
Quite powerful in its understatement, no? Yes folks, Nokia is planning a smartphone revival in 2017 and it's now official. However, the news doesn't change the fact that the revival of the Nokia brand will still be a licensing partnership under the guidance of HMD, rather than Nokia producing the phones outright as it used to. More details on the HMD deal can be found further down this article.
Reports circulating on November 24 have revealed a set of specs for an alleged Nokia flagship poised to launch in 2017. The details were published on the Chinese Weibo social network (GSMArena snagged the below screenshot) which point to a QHD display, and possibly two variants at this resolution with 5.2in and 5.5in displays, waterproofing on a metal bodyshell, Carl Zeiss camera optics (as per older Nokia models), and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. That processor choice is a bit odd considering Snapdragon 830 and 835-based opponents will be giving it a hard time in Q1/Q2 2017.
According to details sourced by NokiaPowerUser from a "Vietnamese publication", HMD will launch "two new phone products in the fourth quarter 2016 and at least two smartphones in the early second quarter 2017."
This statement is being interpreted as implying the first two phones will be feature phones rather than smartphones. Truth be told, we don't find the prospect of new feature phones very inspiring, so the really exciting stuff for us will be early 2017 onwards when actual Android-based Nokia smartphones are expected to appear. Basically we should all be watching MWC 2017 for Nokia's triumphant return to the smartphone space.
NPR says, "The phone manufacturing factory of Microsoft in Bac Ninh, Vietnam, is managed by FIH Mobile. As per agreement between HMD, FIH and Nokia; FIH has acquired Nokia production facilities, global sales and distribution network from Microsoft. So, this plant may produce upcoming two new Nokia phones, expected to be launched later this year.
Reports suggest Google is welcoming the arrival of Nokia to the Android space with open arms. The Big G is apparently even helping Nokia with Android in order to ensure the phones, once launched, are running at their optimal best.
But what will these phones look like? GSMArena snagged a couple of leaks which claim to show off the upcoming flagship handset that will launch at next year’s MWC 2017 phone and technology expo in Barcelona.
“The phone pictured below will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset,” said the report, “with 6GB of RAM and may use a big 23MP sensor with ZEISS lens at the back. The all-metal design is looking pretty sweet too.”
This handset will apparently launch alongside the Nokia C1, another Android phone that will also feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 but feature only 4GB of RAM.
“The most interesting piece of hardware is on the back - a dual 16MP/12MP camera setup with triple-LED flash, a red laser to assist the autofocus, and a xenon flash.”
December 1 sees quite a treat for us; a major leak concerning Nokia's forthcoming Android handsets, including the D1C model. The info comes via NPU, which reports there will be two D1C variants, one will be a lower-tier 5in variant with the following specs:
The second variant will have similar specs with a few changes, including the display size (but not resolution), camera sensor and RAM:
The report alleges that both handsets are in the prototype testing phase, and the following renders are claimed to show more or less what at least one of the devices will look like.
There are, at present, no details about release date or pricing - though MWC 2016 in February is expected - and the major missing spec is the battery, of course.
On July 18, a leak has revealed some interesting snippets about Nokia's non-Microsoft, non-Windows, and non-Lumia plans. Two phones are in the works, both running Android and apparently coming in late 2016 or early 2017.
The news for the Nokia duo is a 5.2in and 5.5in arrangement. Sources for this info comes via NokiaPowerUser's "trusted sources" and also via Gizmochina, with GC's report claiming both models will have 2K display resolutions, and NPU saying instead QHD on Super AMOLED panels for both. The reports also add we're looking at a metallic build which will re-introduce Nokia's distinctive build and design qualities of yesteryear (we're guessing this means in terms of solid build, decent materials, and a nice feel in the hand), as well as IP68 waterproofing certification on both handsets. Additionally, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor is name-dropped for both devices too, meaning they're both apparently more-or-less equal-footing high-end devices rather than a high and mid-ranger dual-launch.
The 5.5in model is mentioned to have a 22MP camera. NPU says the sensors are the "most sensitive ever and will be based upon Nokia’s extensive research on wonder material Graphene". We can likely assume the camera will not be branded as PureView as this went over to Microsoft with its earlier acquisition of the Lumia brand and team, but with Nokia having pioneered such advanced camera tech once already it seems quite probably it'll have re-developed something equally capable. We're looking forward to a new high-end camera brand name from Nokia for this!
GizmoChina reports that the phones will be available in China (of course they will likely be available elsewhere too!) with an expected price of around $500 US. In terms of launch we are apparently looking at very late in 2016 or possible Q1 2017 if things roll back a bit.
As you can see, while there is some crossover between the reports there are also some glaring differences, meaning the picture is not entirely clear at this point. Still, the corroborating evidence confirms that there are indeed a couple of Android phones coming from Nokia at 5.2in and 5.5in. We'll be sure to keep you posted with more details and evidence as we find it.
Further details have leaked showcasing what we can expect from the Nokia C1. For starters, NokiaPowerUser received a render from a tipster, which is alleged to authentically show what the device will look like. It's not clear if this is a genuine Nokia render, or a render made by someone who has been briefed on (or seen) the device, and NPU encourages readers to take things with a pinch of salt.
That said, it certainly looks the business, as we're used to seeing very polished designs from Nokia. It appears to have a very thin metal body and a coloured glass or polycarbonate back panel, however there is something a bit iPhone-like about the design that's sure to generate a few raised eyebrows.
According to the information handed to NPU, the Nokia C1 may come in two different size variants which will broadly share a spec sheet, but will have different camera tech, RAM, and onboard storage.
The display size is quoted at either 5.5in or 5in both with Full HD resolution. The 5in model will have 2GB of RAM with 32GB of storage space and an 8MP camera, while the larger 5.5in has 3GB RAM, a 13MP camera and 64GB onboard storage. Both will feature 5MP front-facing secondary cameras.
As for the software, it's going to be Android-based, although we'd expect it won't get away clean and will likely have Nokia UI stuff put on top. There's also going to be Windows 10 variants in select markets, allegedly.
For posterity, here's the quote from NPU's source:
"The new range of Nokia mobile phones and tablets will be based exclusively on Google Android operating system," reports AnanTech, "which is not surprising. It is logical to expect Nokia to introduce its own implementation of Android as well as exclusive programs. However, from a hardware standpoint, the first wave of Nokia-branded devices will likely use platforms developed by third parties. Some of Nokia's traditional IP remains at Microsoft: the PureView camera technology (a massive sensor with an image co-processor and a set of sophisticated algorithms that “know” how to process oversampled images), ClearBlack display technology (a set of special filters on the display that can enhance blacks) and some other important assets. Which is why HMD and Foxconn (and, perhaps, Nokia?) will have to develop new technologies for high-quality imaging and displays because both features are crucial for modern handsets, especially in a competitive mid-range market.
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We do not expect HMD and Foxconn to introduce custom SoCs for Nokia devices anytime soon both due to technological and financial reasons. Even though Foxconn has been adding semiconductor design capabilities into its war chest for some time now, it is unlikely that the company can produce anything comparable to Mediatek's low-cost SoCs, and as a result the software will play a critical role for the new Nokia smartphones and tablets. A good news is that Nokia plans to control certain aspects of design, performance and feature-set of the devices, which could mean exclusive technologies and capabilities. Moreover, the real fruits from Nokia’s participation in the project should emerge with the roll-out of 5G networks in 2020 – 2022. Nokia is a big contributor to the standard and it could help its partners to capitalize on it."
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