· Six quarters of growth as HMD Global celebrates first full year of profitability in 2021[1]
· Future growth outlined with Nokia smartphone portfolio launches and HMD Services expansion
By : Mohamed Elkholy
Hot on the heels of the recent launch of the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21 earlier this month, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces three new Nokia C-series smartphones – the Nokia C21, Nokia C21 Plus and Nokia C2 2nd Edition. This is in response to success for Nokia smartphones within the affordable smartphone market, which saw a 41% smartphone revenue growth for HMD increase from 2020 to 2021.[2] HMD Global reached its first full year of operational profitability in 2021[3].
Forecasting one million subscriptions to its Services suite in H1 2022, HMD’s Services business will see significant growth and scale in 2022. This milestone marks an inflection point in the scale of HMD Global’s connectivity, EMM, IoT and security offerings and positions the company for greater penetration into the enterprise space in the coming years.
Florian Seiche, Chief Executive Officer, HMD Global:
“2021 was a transformational year, resulting in solid revenue growth across the business and today, we are celebrating a profitable new chapter for HMD Global with the release of three new affordable Nokia devices which are not only safe, reliable and durable, but ensure as many people as possible can access the latest innovative technology for less.
I am excited to announce that our services portfolio includes a secure device financing solution for smartphones and other devices. At HMD, we are bringing together these two ingredients, a high-quality smartphone experience and a financing solution which builds upon our mission to make modern mobile technology accessible to everyone.
Combined with the success of our enterprise services offering scaling to one million subscriptions in the first half of the year, and delivering the exceptional level of services clients expect from us, we are delivering an accessible and seamlessly connected experience for people and enterprises worldwide.’
Sanmeet Kochhar, Vice President for HMD Global MENA & India:
‘Around the world, it’s been a challenging past 12 months, which gave us time to pause, recalibrate our focus and prioritize our purpose. We have emerged stronger and even more committed to our human-first approach to technology and business. Our new range of smartphones and financing solutions reflect our mission to make technology inclusive and accessible for all.
We want people to love their phones, and ensure they keep them for as long as possible. Resilient, secure, designed to last well and look good, these are smartphones built for today’s needs. They deliver a seamless mobile experience to fans, while ensuring their data stays safe and secure.’
The Nokia C-series
The three new devices epitomise the durability and long-lasting battery life qualities Nokia phones became famous for all those years ago. This, combined with the best of Android™ software, and security updates cements HMD’s vision for 2022 and beyond – designing Nokia phones that last for longer whilst maintaining excellent build quality. Nokia phones have incorporated a beautiful Finnish aesthetic that is also functional. The company is bolstering its successful Nokia C-series range, which was introduced in 2020 and already makes up 16% of total company smartphone sales in the last five years.
Nokia C21 Plus
The hero of the C-series family – Nokia C21 Plus – is the smartphone that keeps on giving. It’s designed for durability and is rigorously tested to achieve sleek style and strength, while also delivering on battery life and, most importantly, remaining affordable. The device comes with two different battery sizes, 4000 mAh and 5050 mAh[4] which deliver up to two and three days of battery life[5] respectively – allowing people to stay connected for longer.
Built around a robust inner metal chassis with an IP52 rating protecting against elements, with dirt, dust, and water droplet resistance thanks to a toughened cover glass that protects the dazzling 6.5” HD+ display – ensuring Nokia C21 Plus can stand up to all of life’s hustle-and-bustle.
A 13MP dual camera with Panorama and Portrait modes allows you to capture life’s best bits in stunning detail. A clean OS with minimal preloads gives you more space for the apps and content you choose. Plus, two years of quarterly security updates[6], and fingerprint and AI face unlock technology ensures the Nokia C21 Plus stays secure, inside and out.
Nokia C21
The Nokia C21 maintains the excellent build quality, security promises and the all-day battery life signature to the popular C-series. The device brings an improved 8MP camera with autofocus technology that seamlessly reads QR codes – so whether people are scanning menus, making payments or simply looking up information – the Nokia C21 ensures scanning QR codes is a breeze.
Enhanced memory capabilities and a multi-core processor bring efficiencies without sacrificing the all-day battery life, while AI-powered face unlock is now supported by a fingerprint sensor for extra security and convenience. Two years of regular security updates also come as standard for C-series devices, so people can rest assured that the Nokia C21 works hard in the background to keep their smartphone safe.
Nokia C2 2nd Edition
The Nokia C2 2nd Edition comes with super-tough and reliable Nokia build quality with even more ways to connect. Designed to withstand life’s knocks, thanks to a tough inner metal chassis, and premium Nordic craftsmanship, this C-series device has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets high durability standards and delivers a thoughtful and purposeful design at an affordable price point.
Giving you greater freedom to connect, and a reliable, super-smooth smartphone experience, the all-day battery life from a single charge[7] which enables hours of talk time and days of standby. The generous 5.7” display lets people easily stream, share and scroll through their favourite content and apps in brilliant definition – and capture the best bits of life, day or night, thanks to front and rear flash cameras. Two years of quarterly security updates[8] also ensure that the Nokia C2 2nd Edition stays secure on the inside. The up-to-date OS with minimal preloads helps data go further, freeing up more space for the content and apps you love.
New Nokia accessories
HMD’s growth story continues with the accessories range, doubling the accessories business in 2021 with ambitious plans for future growth. The new phones come with a range of accessories, including over-ear wired and wireless headphones, and truly wireless earbuds offering an easy, hands-free calling experience.
· Nokia Headphones (come in wired and wireless versions) – a super lightweight design with soft over-ear cushioning and a foldable arm for extra comfort and convenience, make for a seamless experience whether working or listening to music
HMD Global Services
The one million subscriptions are split between the three core products (Connect Pro, Enable Pro, and Softlock), and are made up of IoT connections, EMM licenses, and device lock licenses. Building on its renowned portfolio of enterprise smartphones and tablets, the HMD Services offering has bolstered HMD’s enterprise capabilities to become a one-to-shop for complete enterprise mobility and IoT connectivity.
Janne Lehtosalo, Vice President of Services, HMD Global: “Our range of enterprise IoT offerings has already made a significant impact on multiple industries including logistics, healthcare, and financial technology around the globe. Following the 1 million subscription milestone, we believe we will be better positioned to further grow our offering to more industries, better serve our existing clients, and bring new services to the market. We’re excited to have hit this inflection point and are proud that we are able to consistently offer them unparalleled services regardless of where they are on the globe.”
