Nokia stopped making mobile phones when it sold its Devices & Services business unit to Microsoft in September 2013. The terms of the deal included conditions that prevented Nokia from selling mobile devices until December 31,2 015. We got a hint that Nokia was already planning a return to smartphones in 2016 last year when Timo Ihamuotila, EVP and Group CFO, said, “we have recognized that Nokia brand is the most valuable from recognition perspective in the area of mobile phones and mobile devices. And there we cannot go yet at the moment.” That move has now apparently been confirmed by none other than Nokia China President Mike Wang.
The new Nokia smartphones will be powered by Google Android rather than Windows Phone. The Finnish company has already dabbled with Android, notably with the Nokia X and Nokia X2 smartphones as well as the Nokia N1 tablet.
Wang also revealed that the company’s global R&D center will be relocated to Sichuan, China, where Nokia still has some factories. It could also take on manufacture of the new devices or adopt the strategy it used with the Nokia N1 where it licensed the designs and Nokia brand to another company which also assumed responsibility for sales and distribution.
Two unnamed sources confirmed Nokia’s return to the smartphone arena to Re/code, adding that Nokia’s plans also include other projects, including some in the virtual reality space.
Do you think that Nokia will have better luck with its new smartphones? Let us know below.
Sources : Sichuan Daily // G for Games // Re/code