After a not-so-successful partnership with Microsoft, Nokia is back in the smartphone race with its latest Nokia 6 smartphone, which has been made in partnership with HMD Global.
In May 2016, Nokia signed an exclusive 10-year licensing deal with HMD global to make a comeback in the world of smartphones.
The Nokia 6, which launched on Jan. 8, will be the first Android-powered smartphone under the Nokia brand name.
However, eager fans waiting to lay their hands on the Nokia smartphone were disappointed to learn that the Nokia 6 will initially only be available in China.
The Nokia smartphone will not be available for purchase in stores but its sales will be restricted to online retail only — through JD.com.
Why HMD Global Chose China
Many questions have been raised about the company's decision to only launch the smartphone in China. HMD Global addressed consumer concerns and revealed that the decision to do so was motivated by consumer requirements in different regions.
Nokia will be returning to the market after a long hiatus, which may make some consumers skeptical and wary of purchasing the handset.
If the company target's one country first instead of spreading its wings worldwide, it would be able to gauge the market response better.
"You've got to start somewhere, and introducing one model in one country is much lower risk than, say, multiple models in one country, or one model in multiple markets," says Ian Fogg, a mobile analyst at IHS Technology.
The analyst further adds that China being a massive market, it would have specific consumer requirements. Moreover, a device targeted at the country specifically may need modifications before it is retailed outside the region. These alterations may be required particularly in the context of Android software.
Nokia 6 Specs
The Nokia 6 smartphone comes with a 5.5-inch full HD resolution screen with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It comes equipped with a 16-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera.
It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and has 4 GB of RAM. It offers 64 GB of onboard storage.
The Nokia 6 comes pre-loaded with Android 7.0 Nougat. The mid-range phone has been priced mid at 1.699 CNY which is approximately $245.
Nokia 6 To Launch In Other Parts Of The World?
While it is official that Nokia 6 will take its first steps in the Chinese market, the other launch locations are being widely discussed and predicted by tech experts.
Fogg asserts that the launch locations of any device are hinged on the company's marketing strategy. If HMD Global opts for a direct-to-consumer model — like it has for China — then the Nokia 6 could make its way to Italy, Finland, and Eastern European markets. However, if the company choose the network operator model for sale, then the smartphone could release in the United States, the UK, France, and Japan.
