Straight from the horse’s mouth, this time, folks. Finnish device manufacturer Nokia recently outlined the company’s future in an investor-focused presentation at the Capital Markets Day event and, as expected, it involves a return to smartphone development.
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It’s important to note that Nokia will be coming back only as a brand, and not a manufacturer. The company will oversee its stake as the owner of the brand and its patents. Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn will be in charge of research and development, as well as production, with newly-formed HMD Global in charge of tying it all up.
Related: Senior Microsoft Exec Confirms New Nokia Phones by End of 2016, Early 2017
As for feature phones – handsets which aren’t exactly smartphones – FIH Mobile Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn, has already acquired the manufacturing rights from Microsoft. The recently launched Nokia 216 Dual SIM handset is the last Nokia feature phone to come out of Microsoft’s stable, with FIH taking over the reins in 2017.
Related: Microsoft Unveils the Nokia 216 Dual SIM Phone
According to online rumor mills, Nokia’s new Android smartphones are due for a Q2 debut next year. Gossip points to the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC) as the event where Nokia will be unveiling its new devices. Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri will be part of the congress’ keynote address, along with several notable industry players.
