Nokia’s First Ever Smart-phone with Android Operating System Launched

News
Jan 08 2017 02:25 PM
Hari Prakash Garg

Nokia’s First Ever Smart-phone with Android Operating System Launched

Helsinki: Nokia announced its first ever smartphone, named ‘Nokia 6’ with Android OS here on Sunday, initially targeting the Chinese Markets.

The Finnish company named HMD Global, that owns the rights to use Nokia's brand on mobile phones, launched it through an announcement its first smartphone, for Chinese users with a price of 1,699 yuan ($246).

The new smartphone carries the iconic handset name since 2014, when Nokia OYJ chose to sell its entire handset unit to Microsoft.

Nokia 6 is a unique new device, runs on Google's Android platform and it is manufactured by Fox-conn. It will be sold exclusively in China through online retailer JD.com.

According to HMD’s statement "The decision by HMD to launch its first Android smartphone into China is a reflection of the desire to meet the real world needs of consumers in different markets around the world. Because, it is a strategically important market," .

Nokia was once the world's leading cellphone manufacturer but missed the shift to smartphones, and then chose Microsoft's Windows operating system for its "Lumia" range. After the 2014 deal, Microsoft continued selling cheaper basic phones with Nokia's name and ‘Lumia’ smartphones under its own name, but, it largely abandoned both businesses, last year.

Now , HMD will pay Nokia royalties for the brand and patents, however, Nokia has no direct investment in HMD. Nokia Oyj is currently focused on telecom network equipment business and technology patents.