Nokia-branded Android phones could launch this year - CNET

The Nokia name may get to live on with at least a couple of high-end phones reportedly set to debut in late 2016 or early 2017.

HMD Global, which purchased the Nokia brand from Microsoft this past May, is said to be developing two Android smartphones with a metal design and the "famous Nokia feel," Nokia fan blog NokiaPowerUser said on Saturday, citing "trusted sources."

Both phones would be equipped with the upcoming Nougat flavor of Android, said NPU, which also focuses on Windows Phones. A fingerprint scanner and a highly sensitive camera sensor will also be part of the package, NPU said. Based on Nokia's work with Graphene material, the imaging sensor may be the most sensitive one ever found on a Nokia phone, according to the sources.

Microsoft's 2013 move to acquire Nokia's Windows Phone handset business never panned out in a market dominated by Apple and Android. By dumping Windows Phone and hopping on the Android bandwagon, HMD is looking to convince consumers to give the Nokia brand another shot.