HMD Global

Corporate brand

HMD Global is a Finnish mobile-device company that licenses the Nokia brand and also develops phones under the HMD name.

Last updated August 25, 2026

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Overview

HMD Global Oy, also known as Human Mobile Devices, is a Finnish mobile-device company headquartered in Espoo. It operates the mobile-phone business that was separated from Microsoft's former Nokia handset operation and acquired in 2016 by HMD Global and Foxconn subsidiary FIH Mobile. HMD began selling Nokia-branded feature phones and smartphones in December 2016 under licensing arrangements with Nokia Corporation and Microsoft. From 2024 onward, it began extending its own HMD identity into consumer products, while continuing to sell selected Nokia-branded feature phones. The company's formation followed the decline of Nokia's original handset business. Nokia had been a leading mobile-phone manufacturer, but lost substantial smartphone market share as Apple's iPhone and Android manufacturers reshaped the market. Nokia sold its devices and services business to Microsoft in 2014. Microsoft's Windows Phone strategy did not restore the business to its former position, and Microsoft subsequently reduced the use of the Nokia name on smartphones. HMD was incorporated in Helsinki in November 2015 and, in May 2016, agreed with Microsoft to acquire the rights and assets associated with the former Nokia feature-phone business. The transaction also involved FIH Mobile, which became HMD's manufacturing and operational partner. HMD's commercial proposition initially combined Nokia's name, product heritage and design associations with Google's Android operating system. Its smartphones were marketed around relatively clean software, security support and timely Android updates, while its feature phones used platforms including Series 30+, KaiOS and other region-specific systems. Manufacturing has generally been outsourced to FIH Mobile and related Foxconn facilities rather than performed in HMD-owned factories. Nokia Corporation remained a strategic technology and brand partner, supplying patent and technology licensing and setting requirements for use of the Nokia name in mobile devices. The first HMD products were the Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM feature phones, announced in December 2016. The Nokia 6 followed in January 2017 as the company's first Android smartphone. HMD expanded the range through numbered Nokia smartphones, renewed classic feature phones such as the Nokia 3310 and Nokia 8110, and devices emphasizing imaging, durable design and Android software. Partnerships and acquisitions added technical and intellectual-property assets, including an optics partnership with Carl Zeiss, purchases of former Microsoft Mobile design patents, the PureView imaging brand and Valona Labs, a mobile-security software company. HMD's smartphone portfolio later developed into C, G and X series, alongside earlier numbered products. The company also experimented with connectivity services, including HMD Connect, a roaming data-SIM offering. In 2024, the company increasingly used the Human Mobile Devices identity and launched HMD-branded phones, marking a shift from dependence on the Nokia name toward a broader multi-brand portfolio. Its future Nokia licensing arrangements and geographic focus remain important strategic factors. HMD is best understood as a private, internationally oriented mobile-device brand owner and licensee whose business combines Nokia-branded hardware, HMD-branded products, outsourced manufacturing and licensed technology.

History

HMD Global emerged from the restructuring of Nokia's former mobile-phone business. Nokia had been a dominant handset maker, but its position weakened during the transition from feature phones to smartphones. Competition from Apple's iPhone and Android manufacturers, together with the limited application ecosystem of Windows Phone, undermined Nokia's smartphone strategy. Nokia sold its devices and services business to Microsoft in 2014. Microsoft initially retained Nokia branding for feature phones and some smartphones, but later moved toward Microsoft Lumia branding and eventually sold the remaining feature-phone business. HMD Global Oy was incorporated in Helsinki on 9 November 2015. In May 2016, Microsoft announced the sale of its feature-phone business and associated design rights to HMD Global and FIH Mobile. The agreement covered worldwide use of the Nokia name on mobile phones and tablets, subject to geographic and contractual limitations. HMD also entered into a licensing relationship with Nokia Corporation covering patents and technologies. FIH Mobile, a Foxconn subsidiary, became the principal manufacturing partner, allowing HMD to operate with an asset-light hardware model. The reported transaction value for the assets acquired by HMD and FIH was US$350 million, while HMD planned substantial marketing investment; these figures relate to the 2016 transaction context. HMD began commercial activity under the Nokia name in December 2016. Its first devices were the Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM feature phones. In January 2017 it introduced the Nokia 6, its first Android smartphone. At Mobile World Congress that year, HMD presented the Nokia 3310 revival and the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 smartphones. The launch program combined numerical product naming with a deliberate emphasis on Nokia heritage, straightforward design and Android software with limited customization. During 2017 and 2018, HMD expanded the range from entry-level products to premium models. The Nokia 8 introduced Dual Sight camera use and OZO-derived spatial audio features. The Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 1 broadened the portfolio, while renewed versions of the Nokia 8110 and other classic devices extended the feature-phone strategy. HMD also acquired former Microsoft Mobile design patents, revived Nokia Beta Labs and obtained rights to the Asha and PureView names. A partnership with Carl Zeiss restored the historical Nokia association with Zeiss camera optics. The company continued developing Nokia-branded Android devices and feature phones through the late 2010s and early 2020s. Its software message centered on stock-like Android, security and updates. Feature phones used platforms such as Series 30+, KaiOS and region-specific alternatives. In 2019 HMD introduced the Nokia C1 Android Go phone. In 2020 it announced the Nokia 8.3 5G, Nokia 5.3, Nokia 1.3 and a Nokia 5310 revival, while also launching HMD Connect as a global data-roaming service. HMD acquired Valona Labs in 2020 to strengthen mobile software and cybersecurity capabilities. From 2023 onward, HMD considered reducing its reliance on Nokia branding and building a broader proprietary portfolio. In January 2024 it promoted the Human Mobile Devices name, and in March 2024 it began producing HMD-branded phones. This represented a strategic change rather than an immediate end to Nokia products: Nokia-branded feature phones continued, while the company diversified its smartphone identity. The business therefore evolved from a Nokia licensee and brand revival project into a multi-brand mobile-device company. Its principal strengths remain access to Nokia heritage, established manufacturing relationships, licensed technology and international distribution, while its central challenges include intense smartphone competition, software-support expectations, licensing dependence and changing regulatory conditions.

2024
HMD-branded phones begin
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD starts extending its own Human Mobile Devices identity into consumer phones.
2020
Nokia 8.3 5G and HMD Connect are announced
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD introduces its first Nokia-branded 5G phone and a global roaming-data service.
2020
Valona Labs is acquired
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
The mobile software and cybersecurity company Valona Labs is acquired by HMD.
2018
PureView brand is acquired
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD acquires the PureView imaging brand associated with earlier Nokia and Lumia devices.
2017
Android smartphone strategy begins
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD announces the Nokia 6 and later expands the Android range with Nokia 3 and Nokia 5.
2017
Zeiss partnership and design-patent acquisition
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD partners with Carl Zeiss and purchases hundreds of former Microsoft Mobile design patents.
2016
Nokia mobile business assets are acquired
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD and FIH Mobile acquire Microsoft's feature-phone business and related Nokia brand rights.
2016
First HMD Nokia products reach the market
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
The Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM are announced in December.
2015
HMD Global is incorporated
[1]HMD Globalen.wikipedia.org
HMD Global Oy is incorporated in Helsinki on 9 November.

Products and positioning

A Finnish mobile-device company positioned around dependable hardware, accessible pricing, Nokia brand heritage, durable feature phones, relatively clean Android software and security support, increasingly complemented by the independent HMD brand.

Smartphones · 2017
Nokia-branded Android smartphones
HMD's principal smartphone family from 2017 through the early 2020s used Google's Android operating system and generally limited interface customization. Products ranged from entry-level Nokia 1 and C-series devices to premium Nokia 8 models, with later G and X series covering mainstream and upper-mainstream segments. The portfolio emphasized familiar Nokia design, camera features, security updates and a relatively uncluttered software experience.
Feature phones · 2016
Nokia feature phones
Feature phones are a foundational part of HMD's business and include both newly designed basic handsets and revivals of classic Nokia models. Depending on the device and market, HMD has used Series 30+, KaiOS and other feature-phone platforms. These products focus on voice and messaging, long battery life, affordability and physical durability, and extend Nokia's reach beyond the smartphone market.
Feature phone · 2017
Nokia 3310 revival
The modern Nokia 3310 revival was designed as a contemporary interpretation of one of Nokia's best-known classic handsets. Its role was both commercial and symbolic: it provided an accessible feature phone while using nostalgia to reintroduce Nokia to consumers after the Microsoft period. Variants were subsequently developed for different network technologies and markets.
Premium smartphones · 2017
Nokia 8 series
The Nokia 8 family represented HMD's early attempt to compete in the premium Android segment. The Nokia 8 highlighted dual-camera live broadcasting through its Dual Sight feature and spatial audio derived from Nokia's OZO technology. The Nokia 8 Sirocco followed with a curved all-glass design and a stronger luxury positioning.
5G smartphone · 2020
Nokia 8.3 5G
Announced in 2020, the Nokia 8.3 5G was HMD's first Nokia-branded 5G smartphone. It was presented as a broadly compatible global device and formed part of a wider launch that included more affordable Nokia models and the HMD Connect roaming service.
Smartphones · 2024
HMD smartphones
HMD-branded phones represent the company's move toward a proprietary identity beyond the Nokia license. The initiative supports portfolio diversification and gives HMD greater control over brand architecture, product positioning and future growth as Nokia licensing arrangements evolve.
Connectivity service · 2020
HMD Connect
HMD Connect was introduced as a global roaming data-SIM service associated with HMD hardware. It extended the company's proposition beyond devices into international mobile connectivity, although the reference material does not establish its current operating status.

Marketing campaigns

2020No Time to Die Nokia partnership
Selected international markets
HMD associated Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 devices with the James Bond film No Time to Die through exclusive Kevlar cases and related promotional activity.
Outcome. Connected Nokia products with a global entertainment property and premium spy-thriller imagery.
Source
2017Nokia brand relaunch
Global
HMD promoted the return of Nokia mobile devices through a combination of heritage, reliability and Android messaging, presenting the phones as clean, secure and current.
Outcome. Established HMD's initial market identity and supported the international rollout of Nokia Android phones.
Source
2017Nokia 3310 revival
Global
The relaunch of the Nokia 3310 used recognition of a classic handset to generate attention for HMD's return to the mobile-phone market.
Outcome. Reinforced Nokia's nostalgia-based positioning alongside the new Android portfolio.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Diversify beyond the Nokia brandStrategy
Background
HMD sought greater control over its identity and reduced dependence on a single licensed brand.
Action taken
The company promoted Human Mobile Devices and began launching phones under the HMD name.
Aftermath
HMD became a multi-brand mobile-device company while retaining Nokia-branded feature phones in its portfolio.
Source
2017
Use clean Android as a differentiation pointStrategy
Background
HMD needed to re-establish Nokia in a smartphone market dominated by Android and iOS ecosystems.
Action taken
It partnered with Google and promoted relatively unmodified Android, security and software updates.
Aftermath
The approach became a central part of Nokia smartphone positioning, although later update delivery became less consistent as the portfolio expanded.
Source
2016
Adopt an asset-light Nokia device modelStrategy
Background
HMD acquired brand and business rights while FIH Mobile supplied manufacturing capabilities.
Action taken
The company outsourced production to FIH and used licensing relationships with Nokia and Microsoft rather than rebuilding Nokia's former manufacturing network.
Aftermath
This enabled a relatively rapid return of Nokia-branded phones with lower owned-manufacturing requirements.
Reported transaction value. US$350 million (2016 transaction)
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
Reported2022.03.07
HMD Global exits flagship-phone competition[2]HMD Global退出旗舰手机竞争eprice.com.hk
HMD Global, the holder of the Nokia brand, has exited competition in the flagship-phone segment, according to the article; its product marketing chief said that making an $800 phone currently makes no sense for the company.
2022.01.06
Reported2022.01.06
HMD Global added Dish Wireless and Consumer Cellular as US partners[3]HMD Global将Dish Wireless和Consumer Cellular列为美国合作伙伴finance.sina.com.cn
HMD Global said Dish Wireless and Consumer Cellular had been added to its list of US partners.
2021.06.28
Reported2021.06.28
Qualcomm announces global 5G mmWave collaboration[4]高通宣布合作推动5G毫米波全球推广finance.sina.com.cn
Qualcomm announced that it would work with more than 35 companies to promote 5G mmWave globally, including Samsung, HMD Global, TCL, ZTE and Xiaomi.
2020.11.08
Reported2020.11.08
HMD Global announces an upcoming Nokia smartphone launch in the US[5]HMD Global宣布诺基亚手机即将在美国发布indianexpress.com
HMD Global announced that it planned to release a new Nokia-branded smartphone in the US on November 9, with Nokia Mobile confirming a launch event. The article said the specific phone or phones had not yet been confirmed.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.08.12
HMD Global secures $230 million investment[6]HMD Global获得2.3亿美元投资fonearena.com
HMD Global announced that it had secured $230 million in funding from global partners including Google, Qualcomm and Nokia Technologies. The funding is intended to support its stated priorities in smartphones, digital services and growth markets.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.08.11
HMD Global closes first funding round tranche[7]HMD Global完成首轮融资交割pocketnow.com
HMD Global announced that it had successfully closed the first tranche of its current funding round, raising USD 230 million from strategic partners.
2020.08.11
Reported2020.08.11
HMD Global raises $230 million in Series A2 funding[8]HMD Global完成2.3亿美元A2轮融资androidcentral.com
HMD Global announced that it raised $230 million in a Series A2 funding round, with Google, Qualcomm and Nokia among the investors. The company said it would use the investment to fund development of further 5G devices.
2020.07.02
Reported2020.07.02
HMD Global announces acquisition of Valona Labs assets[9]HMD Global宣布收购Valona Labs资产timesnownews.com
HMD Global announced that it was acquiring assets of Valona Labs, a mobile, enterprise and cybersecurity software company.
2020.06.02
Reported2020.06.02
HMD Global announces Nokia 43-inch smart TV launch in India[10]HMD Global宣布诺基亚43英寸智能电视将在印度发布tech.sina.com.cn
HMD Global announced that a new 43-inch UHD 4K LED Nokia smart TV would be launched in India on June 4, 2020. The TV was to be produced in collaboration with Flipkart and sold exclusively through Flipkart.
2020.03.19
Reported2020.03.20
HMD Global launches HMD Connect roaming data service[11]HMD Global推出HMD Connect漫游数据服务tech.sina.com.cn
HMD Global launched HMD Connect, a pay-as-you-go, data-only global roaming service available in more than 120 countries. The service can be managed through an app or the HMD Connect website.

Sources19 sources

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