HMD to launch three new phones, Nokia phones to be available offline: report

HMD, Nokia smartphone strategy details

• According to a report by 91Mobiles Hindi, HMD is set to unveil three phones in the initial phase under the HMD brand.
• Among them, there will be an affordable model priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.
• There are no plans to launch phones exceeding Rs 40,000 in India this year, with the most expensive model priced below Rs 40,000.
• The report mentions that HMD Global holds the Nokia license until 2026, and as per the received information, the company will concurrently release phones under both the Nokia and HMD names, available at different retail outlets.
• Nokia phones slated for 2024 will be exclusively available offline, while HMD brand phones are set to be introduced online and in major retail stores.
• The online and offline strategies will impact the pricing of HMD and Nokia phones, with HMD brand smartphones positioned as more 'value for money,'.
• Meanwhile, the Nokia phones available offline may carry a slightly higher price tag.
• As per the report, HMD Global is set to open exclusive HMD service centers simultaneously with the phone launch.
• The company has likely initiated research in this direction, indicating a strategic approach to provide exclusive service support for its products.

Recently, HMD Global underwent a notable shift by renaming Nokia's social handles and website to Human Mobile Devices (HMD). It released a teaser video, affirming the brand's commitment to catering to a diverse market audience. The video offered a glimpse of upcoming products, encompassing smartphones, tablets, wireless earbuds, and more.

The brand's website explicitly outlined its past intention to launch smartphones with attributes such as being fun, secure, fast, and affordable. Highlighting its global outreach, the brand claimed a presence in over 200 countries and boasted a user base exceeding 400 million Nokia users since the takeover in 2016.