Nokia’s Android Phones Sets the Tone for a Comeback

Back in the day, when cell phone sales started booming, Nokia always dominated the conversation. It was the best of the new GSM phones. In the United States, where CDMA was used, Motorola was lording it over the competition. However, worldwide, topping the sales chart was Nokia. Nokia was later able to overtake Motorola in the United States when GSM technology was first implemented. Things turned when Sony came with their cell phones, and then later Samsung overtook Sony. The Apple iPhone stole the thunder from these brands, if only because they took a big chunk of the market and kept it until now.

The Nokia following, however, slowly dwindled with the emergence of the smartphones. Microsoft stepped in and introduced Windows Mobile powered smartphones. However, these Windows-powered smartphones did not make enough waves to be close to remarkable, even as consumers stuck to Androids and iOS powered devices. Nokia stepped out of the limelight, handing the torch to Samsung and Apple.

For a long time, Nokia has been just part of history with no clue as to their future. Another Finland-based company, HMD Global has announced that they have signed an exclusive agreement to create mobile phones and tablets for the brand for the next ten years. Recently, there have been other rumors that spread like wildfire; Nokia will be releasing two phones in the latter part of 2016. It is speculated that Nokia will be making niches in the Android world with this partnership due to its strong brand name.

The news that Nokia will be making smartphones was not unexpected. It was just surprising that it took them this long to realize that they should be using Android. Although, admittedly, the new release of the Microsoft Surface Studio and Microsoft Paint 3D makes a compelling case for a Windows 10 phone.

Nokia has been languishing without direction, even as it was trying to come back from earlier failed Windows cellphones. The new line of cell phones which use Android is a wake-up call for the industry. They cannot just ignore Nokia. Even as it is not as big as it was before, it should be noted that it is a very resilient brand.

With Android, Nokia can begin to market quality build cellphones, with a distinct Nokia flavor. It had an iconic design philosophy which allowed for different cell phone designs but with a trademark Nokia sensibility. You just knew that you were using a Nokia phone.

Here are the two confirmed phones that are expected to make the market wide open for Nokia:

• C1

The Nokia C1 is set to be one of the announced flagship phones that Nokia is to release late this year. The device is supposed to have a 5.5-inch QHD OLED display with a Snapdragon 820 processor, metal construction, 22.6MP graphene cameras, water and dust resistance, and running on Android 7.0 Nougat. Highly likely, the camera will not be marketed as PureView which went over to Microsoft in its acquisition of the brand Lumia. Since Nokia has been a pioneer in cell phone technology, it is safe to say that it will come up with its equivalent. The C1 will have a 2K display with Super AMOLED panels and is also rumored to have a metallic build for a distinctive solid design. It is said to have a very iPhone-like feel, with what appears to be a metal body with polycarbonate or colored glass back. Glass backs are a growing trend because of the glossy look. Also, these kinds of phones are also scratch-proof. However, the glass can break.

• D1C

Rumors have it that the D1C phone will have a Qualcomm octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM running on Android 7.0 Nougat. This will be one of the first Nokia phones running on Android as opposed to their Windows OS. The device will include a 5.2-inch display with 1920 by 1080 resolution with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, making it scratch proof.c is in the works with video recording in HD. This up and coming mid-range device is expected to have a fingerprint scanner with a USB-C connection to keep it at par with what is available in the market nowadays. That may not be the case, we all know Nokia will opt for some unique feature to make it interesting enough for the price tag.

Nokia is expected to launch a new range of cell phones and tablets working exclusively on Google Android. However, consumers are also expecting innovations from the brand like it has always had before. The above basic specs may not be enough to paint a picture of a comeback. However, a comeback has to start somewhere. Unlike before, when Nokia would introduce a long line of cellphones, the above two models seem to be all that is going to be released. They seem to be waiting to see the market reception to the new phones.

The company had already made its impact when it launched its N1 Tablet powered by Android as well as the Z-Launcher for Jellybean. It appears with the buzz spreading, Nokia’s improvement of the handset department will make a bigger splash putting the trusted brand back in the consumer’s eyes. The comeback is much awaited and highly anticipated, and well planned by Nokia and Nokia fans, the release of their comeback phones in the coming weeks will become a benchmark of their success.