HMD Global is bringing its low-cost Nokia phones to consumers in the U.S. and Canada through new partnerships with wireless carriers in those regions including Verizon, Cricket Wireless, and Rogers Communications. Today"s announcement marks the first time that Nokia-branded devices from the Finnish mobile phone company will be available on wireless carrier stores in North America.
As part of the team-up, Verizon will be offering the Nokia 2 V to customers in the U.S. through its stores and online marketplace from January 31. The device sports a 5.5-inch HD screen and packs a massive 4,000mAh battery. It is powered by Qualcomm"s Snapdragon 425 processor coupled with 8GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 128GB with a microSD card slot. It will be available in blue and silver color options.
Meanwhile, the Nokia 3.1 Plus will be sold in blue color option through Cricket"s stores and online shop for $160 from January 25. The device has a 5.99-inch HD+ display, 3500mAh battery, 13MP+5MP dual camera on its back, and 8MP selfie snapper. It is powered by a Snapdragon 439 SoC and ships with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Rodgers is also set to offer another Nokia-branded phone soon through its subsidiary, chatr, in Canada.
HMD Global"s latest move marks its acknowledgment of the importance of teaming up with wireless carriers after years of shunning that type of alliance in the U.S. Although its first wave of smartphones isn"t particularly stellar in terms of specs, its entry to the North American market is expected to lay the ground for Nokia"s future in this region and the global market as well.