Nokia Confirms That It Will Announce New Android-Running Devices Later This Year

Nokia executive Mike Wang has confirmed that that the company is indeed planning to reveal three or four new Nokia-branded devices running Google’s Android mobile operating system, according to Android Authority.

The three or four new device will actually be composed of both smartphones and tablets. Although Nokia will make its official announcements before the end of 2016, the new devices may possibly be launched in 2017. The release date of the new Nokia Android devices will apparently depend on the company’s testing and development.

The new Android-powered Nokia devices will be designed by HMD, the Finnish company that bought the licensing rights to use the Nokia brand. HMD is also notable for being made up of former Nokia and Microsoft employees.

The new device will be manufactured by Foxconn, a Taiwanese company that’s known for manufacturing products like the iPhone, BlackBerry, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the Wii U.

As for specifications of the upcoming devices, Nokia didn’t give out any details. However, previous rumors have indicated that Nokia is planning to introduce two premium handsets this year that will run Android 7.0 Nougat.

The new Nokia smartphone will come in two sizes: 5.2-inches and 5.5-inches. Both will have QHD OLED displays. The devices are said to come with Snapdragon 820 processors and 22-megapixel cameras. Both handsets expected to come with metallic bodies that will have water and dust resistance features.

Earlier this week, HMD announced that it has hired Pekka Rantala as its new chief marketing officer. Rantala was the former CEO of Rovio, the company that created the game “Angry Birds.” He is also known for being a longtime employee of Nokia.

It will be his job to revive the Nokia brand and essentially be the one to market the upcoming new Android-powered devices. “Nokia is a globally recognized brand, and we have a chance to rejuvenate it like never before,” Rantala told CNET. “I love Nokia, I love what it stands for, and I’d love to see it rise again.”