HMD Global, the Finnish company behind Nokia-branded smartphones and tablets, is stepping back from the US market. Citing ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges, the company has shut down its US web store and paused all device sales in the region — a significant retreat for a brand long associated with affordable, reliable phones.
HMD stated it is “scaling back” operations in the US. While the company didn’t go into specifics, it pointed to a “challenging geopolitical and economic environment” as the key reason. Industry reports suggest this likely refers to tariffs and trade policies that have squeezed profit margins for foreign manufacturers selling in the US.
As of now, HMD’s US storefront is offline. Some product pages remain up, but with either disabled “Where to buy” buttons or no purchasing options at all. A few devices, like the modular HMD Skyline, can still be found on third-party platforms such as Amazon, but it’s unclear how long those will remain in stock.
HMD says it will continue to honor warranties and provide support for existing devices through its global customer care network. However, there’s no word yet on how the move might affect US-based employees. The company only stated that it remains committed to supporting staff through the transition.
HMD was founded in 2016 after acquiring Nokia’s feature phone business from Microsoft. Over the years, it built a reputation for bringing back the Nokia name with modern twists, offering budget and mid-range Android phones aimed at value-conscious users. In 2023, HMD launched its own brand of devices, including the repairable HMD Skyline and quirky niche products like the Barbie flip phone.
Despite its global ambitions, HMD’s US presence was always limited. Only four HMD-branded smartphones launched in the States, with the last being the HMD Fusion in September 2024. Most Nokia-branded devices in recent years have been basic feature phones.
While the company says it will now focus on global markets with “family, secure, and microfinancing” segments, its exit from the US leaves a gap — and raises questions about how it plans to stay competitive in a saturated Android landscape.
For now, HMD products may still be available through a few retailers, but US customers looking for new devices from the company might soon be out of luck.
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