Share

Nokia-maker mixes with Apple, Samsung in new smartphone launch

London - Finnish company HMD Global Oy unveiled its latest Nokia-branded smartphone in a first bid to win over Samsung and Apple customers.

The Nokia 8 will be available in September and will retail for a global average price of €599, HMD said on Wednesday.

The company, which started operating in 2016 with an exclusive license for Nokia-branded phones, has so far focused its efforts to revive the Nokia brand on cheaper smartphones and a redesign of the classic Nokia 3310, first sold in 2000.

READ: Here is what the relaunched iconic Nokia 3310 looks like

In February, HMD unveiled the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 smartphones, priced at €139 and €189 respectively.

Juho Sarvikas, HMD’s chief product officer, said now was “the perfect time” to introduce the model, which he describes as a flagship product. The phone will feature a “dual-sight” photo and video function, in which images from the front and rear cameras will be displayed simultaneously on a split screen. HMD describes the feature as “less Selfie, more Bothie”.


HMD had chosen to release cheaper models first because 50% of global demand was for phones costing between €100 and €250, Sarvikas said in an interview. “We wanted to start there, where we know that we are highly relevant with our proposition. We’re very eager to enter the flagship segment as well.”

New optics 

The new device has Zeiss cameras, after HMD said in July that it had signed a partnership with the group, part of the German optics company Carl Zeiss AG.

The launch comes as Apple prepares to launch a new iPhone and Samsung rolls out its new Galaxy Note 8. Sarvikas said by phone that HMD was “less concerned about competition; we’re here to design for the consumers.” 

Demand for the redesigned 3310 feature phone, unveiled in February, had been “very strong.” Sarvikas was unable to share detailed sales figures but said HMD had sold “millions” of smartphones and “tens of millions” of feature phones - of which the 3310 is just one model.

Nokia Oyj sold the handset business to  Microsoft in 2014. In 2016 Microsoft sold it to HMD and FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Chinese phone maker Foxconn Technology. HMD’s CEO Arto Nummela, a former Nokia executive, left the company last month.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE UPDATE: Get Fin24's top morning business news and opinions in your inbox.

Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter:


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,016.25
+1.4%
Gold
2,221.48
+1.2%
Silver
24.88
+1.0%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders