Nokia's Android phones coming in 2016, R&D center will move to China

Earlier this week, Re/Code reported that Nokia is planning to re-enter the smartphone market in Q3, 2016.

Now, a new report claims that this is true and Nokia will be returning to the smartphone arena next year with an Android phone.

Mike Wang, President of Nokia China revealed that Nokia is working on Android-powered smartphones and will be manufactured in factories in Sichuan, China. It will be launched in 2016. He also said that the Nokia's R&D center will permanently relocate to Sichuan, China. No other details have been revealed.

Nokia sold its mobile business to Microsoft last year. Under the sale agreement Nokia was restricted to sell smartphones till 2016. Last year Nokia launched the Android powered N1 tablet in partnership with Foxconn. Nokia licensed the branding, production marketing and distribution to Foxconn.

Nokia N1 tablet was a immediate success in China. Two batches of the tablet was sold out very quickly. At present the tablet is available only China.

This is how Nokia will maintain its consumer presence in the future, by licensing it brands to third parties, who will produce, market and distribute on Nokia's behalf.

Source : GSMArena