Nokia N Series Release Date, Specs Rumors: HMD Global to Revive Iconic Lineup at MWC 2017?
Nokia is slated for a big comeback as new Android-powered smartphones are expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) later this month. Now, the latest reports suggest that HMD Global, who purchased the brand in 2016, could also be reviving an iconic lineup that the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer was known for over a decade ago.
According to Android Headlines, HMD Global recently filed a trademark for several variations of the "N Series" name with China's patent office, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).
To recall, the Nokia N series was first launched in 2005 and the initial three devices were the N70, N90 and N91. About two dozen more variants were released in the next few years and almost all of the cellphones ran the Symbian operating system (OS).
It is said that during Nokia's heyday, the N series dominated the mobile phone segment with over 70 percent of the market share. The N series was succeeded by the Nokia Lumia lineup in 2012 but failed to attain the same success.
Now, there are rumblings that HMD Global will introduce the first N series device preinstalled with the Android OS during the upcoming trade show in Barcelona, Spain. Unfortunately, technical specifications for the rumored smartphone have yet to be revealed.
With Apple, Samsung and LG currently dominating the smartphone segment, there are some consumers who are skeptical about Nokia's chances in competing with these giant companies. However, initial sales of the Nokia 6 seem to suggest that there is still a great demand for Nokia-branded devices.
JD.com, the exclusive retailer of the Nokia 6 in China, recently revealed that they aren't actually holding flash sales for the device. Rather, every time they put the device up for sale, units are quickly sold out in mere minutes. As a result, they are struggling to keep up with the demand for the Nokia 6.
Meanwhile, HMD Global is rumored to be unveiling the Nokia P1 flagship smartphone and an entry-level device codenamed Heart at MWC 2017, scheduled from Feb. 27 to March 2.
