Without much media attention, Nokia and HMD Global have quietly agreed to extend their licensing agreement for manufacturing classic mobile devices, also known as “dummy” phones. The new expiry date has been pushed three years forward, meaning the partnership will now last until the end of 2029. Reliable sources confirm that the deal is in place, although neither company has issued an official statement.
The primary reason behind the continuation of this collaboration lies in HMD’s strong position in the Indian market, where it currently holds over 20% market share in the feature phone category. In terms of revenue, that share exceeds 30%, further highlighting the segment’s importance. In 2024 alone, over 54 million basic phones were sold in India, making it the world’s largest market for devices many believed were obsolete.
For Nokia, the renewed agreement secures brand visibility in a segment it once dominated on a global scale. It ensures continuity for a name that still holds significant symbolic and commercial value, despite major industry changes. On the other hand, HMD continues to benefit from using a name that resonates strongly with both urban and rural consumers.
However, HMD's ambitions go beyond simply leveraging the Nokia label. The company has announced future product lines that will include its own branded smartphones and tablets, as well as devices co-developed with external partners. This marks a clear move toward expanding and diversifying its portfolio.
One example of such collaboration has already appeared in the form of a rugged smartphone created for Bittium and Nokia. These upcoming devices will feature a redesigned Nokia logo, and users can expect the brand name to remain present in various forms for years to come.