What Would Have Happened If…

By looking at the HMD Skyline, you can clearly see that the only thing this device is missing is the Nokia logo on the back. I could easily call the HMD Skyline a Nokia Skyline since the device looks and feels like a Nokia.Even its name suggests Nokia blue :). The main goal behind this device was to bring back some old Nokia vibes in February 2024 and refresh the brand with something worth checking out.

But we all know what happened. Nokia refreshed its branding a year before (2023) and wanted to move as far as possible from its past. That, along with likely adjustments to the licensing deal between Nokia and HMD, influenced HMD’s decision to establish its own brand.

The first step was rebranding the Nokia Skyline, followed by a gradual transition for the smartphone portfolio. Remember that the Nokia 105 and HMD 105 were both launched on their website?

An interesting confirmation of all this came from Luke after he checked the eSIM compatibility of Nokia devices in HMD’s First Class app. The list of Nokia devices with eSIM capability clearly states “Nokia Skyline,” confirming what I suspected the moment I first held the device.

Now, what would have happened if it had really been branded as a Nokia? Well, the device might have achieved better sales, but end users would still be disappointed with glitchy software and relatively poor camera performance.

That said, I love my Skyline (even in Pink) because it’s a nice mid-range device—durable, sturdy, well-shaped, and functional. If only the camera performance had been better, it might have revived a dream we all had: a Nokia Lumia device running Android. 😊