HMD Scales Back US Operations, Ending Nokia Phone Revival

HMD Global, the Finnish company that revitalized Nokia-branded mobile devices through a licensing agreement over the past decade, has announced a significant reduction in its US market presence. The company appears to have halted all direct sales of both its HMD and Nokia-branded products in the region.

In an official statement to The Verge, HMD cited "a challenging geopolitical and economic environment" as the reason for its strategic withdrawal - a phrasing many interpret as referring to rising trade tariffs impacting the mobile industry.

While HMD hasn't officially declared a complete exit from the US market, practical evidence suggests otherwise. The company's online store has gone offline, with remaining product pages either displaying no purchase options or non-functioning retail links, despite some devices still being available through third-party retailers like Amazon.

The company has committed to maintaining warranty services and customer support for existing products through its global support network. Regarding potential layoffs among US staff, HMD remained vague but stated it would "support [employees] during this transition."

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Founded in 2016 specifically to acquire Nokia's feature phone division from Microsoft (which had purchased the struggling brand in 2014), HMD initially focused on budget and mid-range smartphones under the Nokia name. The company shifted strategy in 2023, introducing original HMD-branded devices like the repairable Skyline - still the only Android phone supporting Qi2 wireless charging - alongside novelty collaborations including the Barbie flip phone and Heineken Boring Phone.

This rebranding relegated Nokia to feature phones only. Notably, just four HMD-branded smartphones launched in the US market, with none released since September 2024's modular HMD Fusion, though international markets saw several other models.

HMD Global's complete official statement reads:

"Like many global businesses, HMD is navigating a challenging geopolitical and economic environment. After careful consideration, we have made the decision to scale back our US operations.

Our priority is ensuring a seamless transition for our customers and partners. We will continue to honour all obligations, including warranty coverage and service for existing products, and provide full support through our global teams.

We deeply value the contributions of our US colleagues impacted by this change and are committed to supporting them during this transition.

HMD remains focused on long-term growth, with strong momentum across our mainstream business and key segments such as Family, Secure, and Microfinancing."

Updated July 11th: Added HMD's official statement to The Verge.