Nokia branded Android phones and tablets reportedly coming in Q4 2016

Nokia back in May confirmed that it is making a comeback to smartphone and tablet market, an area it once dominated. The comeback could reportedly happen in the fourth quarter of 2016 with new Android powered devices.

According to a report coming out of China, Nokia China President Mike Wang has confirmed that the company plans to release three to four Nokia branded devices including phones and tablets in the fourth quarter of this year. However the launch will take place sometime early next year.

Nokia sold its mobile business to Microsoft in 2014 for about $7.2 billion. As part of the deal, Nokia was restricted from releasing devices under its brand name till last quarter of 2016. It appears that Nokia is in a hurry to re-enter its lost territory.

Note that, Nokia will not be manufacturing the smartphones, instead as per the company's brand licensing deal, the devices will be manufactured by HMD Global, a Finnish company started by ex Nokia employers. Nokia has already granted HMD Global exclusive license to manufacture Nokia-branded phones and tablets for the next 10 years.

Moreover, earlier this week, ex Nokia employee Pekka Rantala was appointed as Chief Marketing Officer of HMD Global. He is also the former CEO of Rovio Entertainment, the company behind the popular Angry Birds franchise.

Via