For decades, Nokia was synonymous with mobile phones. From the indestructible 3310 to its pioneering role in early smartphones, the Finnish giant once commanded global dominance before Apple and Android disrupted the landscape. Now, after years of quiet presence through licensing deals, Nokia’s name is back in the conversation. The company has signaled it may be open to new partnerships, sparking speculation about a potential comeback in the phone market.
HMD Global’s Decline and the End of an Era
In 2016, HMD Global, another Finnish firm, secured exclusive rights to produce Nokia-branded smartphones. For several years, this arrangement allowed Nokia to re-enter the market without directly manufacturing devices. HMD positioned Nokia phones as reliable, affordable, and focused on clean Android software.
But the venture has struggled in recent years. HMD has been losing market share globally and recently announced a scale-back of its U.S. operations. Its official store is now offline, and product availability is shrinking. The company cited “challenging geopolitical and economic conditions” as reasons for retreat, though analysts point to tough competition from Chinese brands and difficulties gaining traction in premium markets.
Although HMD still holds the Nokia phone license until March 2026, the partnership appears to be losing momentum. HMD has even begun releasing devices under its own “HMD” branding, signaling a gradual move away from the Nokia name.
Nokia’s Search for a New Partner
While HMD retrenches, Nokia itself is hinting at new opportunities. A Nokia Community Relations Manager recently told fans on Reddit that the company is “open to discussions with a major mobile phone manufacturer” regarding its brand. Though hardly a formal announcement, the statement sparked renewed hope among Nokia enthusiasts who have long wished to see the brand return more prominently.
Nokia is no stranger to licensing arrangements. Beyond phones, the company has lent its name to TVs (Streamview), headphones (RichGo), and laptops (OFF Global). However, many of these deals have quietly expired. Phones remain the most iconic part of the Nokia legacy, making the brand’s future in this sector particularly significant.
A Brand in Transition
The challenge for Nokia is not just finding a partner, but securing one with enough global reach and resources to make an impact. Smartphone competition is fiercer than ever, dominated by Apple, Samsung, and a handful of aggressive Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.
Any comeback would require more than nostalgia. Nokia would need a partner capable of delivering cutting-edge hardware, competitive pricing, and strong marketing muscle. Whether a major manufacturer sees value in licensing the Nokia name remains an open question.
What About Nokia’s Network Business?
The speculation surrounding Nokia’s phones comes at a time when the company has also faced rumors in its core networking business. Reports last year suggested that Samsung might consider acquiring Nokia’s mobile networks division, a business worth an estimated $10 billion. Nokia swiftly denied those rumors, insisting the unit remains central to its strategy.
Financially, Nokia continues to operate in a tough environment. In Q1 2025, the company reported an operating profit of €156 million on net sales of €4.39 billion. Investors and industry watchers await its upcoming Q2 results to see whether it can stabilize.
The Road Ahead
For now, the future of Nokia-branded phones is uncertain. The current HMD Global arrangement is winding down, and no new licensing agreement has been announced. Still, Nokia’s willingness to explore options with a “major mobile phone manufacturer” leaves the door open for a revival.
If a new partner emerges, Nokia could once again compete in a market it helped create — not as a manufacturer, but as a brand with deep heritage and recognition. Whether that is enough to sway consumers in 2025 and beyond remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: for millions of people who once carried a Nokia in their pocket, the idea of a comeback is a story worth watching.