In a move that signals a significant shift for the Nokia brand, HMD Global, the current licensee for Nokia smartphones,has quietly begun delisting Nokia-branded devices from its European online stores.
This strategic move follows an earlier announcement from HMD about its transition towards establishing its own brand identity, separate from Nokia. While Nokia smartphones, feature phones, and tablets have remained available in various markets for the past few months, it appears that their presence in Europe is now coming to an end.
A quick browse through HMD’s official websites across Europe reveals the absence of Nokia smartphones, indicating a gradual phase-out. However, Nokia-branded devices continue to be listed on HMD storefronts in other regions, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. While it remains unclear how long these listings will remain, it’s likely that their availability will eventually cease globally.
Despite this development, HMD assures ongoing software support for existing Nokia smart and feature phones, but the duration of this support remains uncertain.
It’s worth noting that while HMD is moving away from Nokia branding, the original Nokia Corporation continues to be a prominent player in the network infrastructure industry and holds a substantial patent portfolio. In the past, Nokia has been involved in legal disputes with various smartphone manufacturers, including major players like Apple, Samsung,and members of the BBK group.
This move by HMD marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Nokia brand within the smartphone landscape. While the future of HMD’s own branded devices remains to be seen, the delisting of Nokia smartphones in Europe represents a significant step in the company’s ongoing rebranding efforts.
