Nokia smartphones to make a comeback in 2016

PanARMENIAN.Net - Nokia has confirmed that it will return to the consumer smartphone market next year when its contract with Microsoft allows, Digital Spy reports.

Company CEO Rajeev Suri revealed that the once-dominant handset maker has plans to design and license phones in 2016.

"We will look for suitable partners," he told Manager Magazin. "Microsoft makes mobile phones. We would simply design them and then make the brand name available to license."

Nokia's deal with Microsoft prevents it from using its own branding on smartphones until the fourth quarter of next year, but this does not apply to tablets.

The Finnish firm has already partnered with a Chinese manufacturer to create the Nokia N1 tablet and will take an identical approach to phones next year.

The news comes just one day after it was announced that former Nokia head Stephen Elop is parting company with Microsoft.