HMD Global, the company behind the Nokia brand, has announced that it will launch its first smartphone in April 2024. The device, which has not been named yet, will be the first to run on HMD’s own operating system, called HMD OS.
HMD Global was founded in 2016 and acquired the rights to use the Nokia brand for mobile devices. Since then, it has launched several Nokia-branded phones, mostly in the low-end and mid-range segments. The company has also revived some of the iconic Nokia models, such as the 3310 and the 8110.
However, HMD has not been able to compete with the likes of Samsung, Apple and Huawei in the high-end segment. With its first smartphone and its own operating system, HMD hopes to change that and establish itself as a major player in the industry.
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HMD OS is based on Linux and promises to offer a fast, secure and user-friendly experience. HMD says that its OS will support a wide range of apps and services, including popular ones like WhatsApp, Instagram and Spotify. HMD also claims that its OS will have better privacy and security features than other platforms, such as end-to-end encryption, biometric authentication and automatic updates.
One of the main differences between HMD OS and other operating systems like Android and iOS is that HMD OS is not tied to any specific hardware or software vendor. This means that HMD can customize its OS to suit its own devices and offer more flexibility and choice to its customers. HMD also says that its OS will be compatible with existing Android apps and will allow users to switch between HMD OS and Android easily.
Another benefit of HMD OS is that it will be compatible with existing Android apps and will allow users to switch between HMD OS and Android easily. HMD says that its OS will use a virtual machine to run Android apps without compromising the performance or security of the device. Users will also be able to access the Google Play Store and other Android services if they wish.
HMD says that its OS will not collect or share any personal information without the user’s consent. HMD also says that its OS will use advanced encryption techniques to protect the user’s data from hackers and malicious actors. HMD’s Chief Privacy Officer, explains:
“We take privacy very seriously at HMD. Our OS is designed to give users full control over their data and how it is used. We do not collect or share any personal data without the user’s permission. We also use state-of-the-art encryption methods to ensure that the user’s data is safe and secure at all times.”
The smartphone will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the most powerful chips available in the market. It will also have a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 108-megapixel rear camera with optical zoom and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. The battery capacity will be 5000 mAh, which should last for a full day of usage. The phone will also support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
HMD says that its smartphone will be priced competitively and will be available in several markets around the world. The company hopes that its smartphone will attract customers who are looking for a premium device with a unique operating system. HMD also plans to launch more devices running on HMD OS in the future, including tablets, smartwatches and smart TVs.