Finnish technology brand Nokia, known for its affordable range of feature-phones not too long ago, is now more likely to come out with its first Android-driven smartphones in early 2017. These expectations gain substance from the fact that HMD Global, which now holds rights to the Nokia brand, has finalised the marketing agency that will sell the Nokia-branded Android devices.

This means that Nokia loyalists could indeed have a chance to lay their hands on the newest Nokia phones, at a time frame even earlier than expected.

"Nokia is a truly iconic, globally recognized and trusted brand. As the exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand for mobile phones and tablets, our ambition was to find a like-minded agency who grasped both the opportunity and responsibility in bringing a new product range to market", Pekka Rantala, CMO at HMD Global, told AdWeek.

Expectations regarding Nokia launching Android-powered devices in 2017 came to the fore when the Finnish brand confirmed participation at next year's Mobile World Congress (MWC 2017). Now, with latest developments regarding the finalisation of the marketing agency (to market Nokia Android-powered handsets), the launch of new handsets is only imminent. As far as the marketing agency selected by HMD Global is concerned, the company has chosen Mother that has actively developed marketing campaigns for global brands like Coca-Cola.

Another piece of information that has surfaced from the above developments is the fact that Nokia loyalists can expect more releases during the course of 2017.

"We are thrilled to be working with HMD Global as it begins this exciting new chapter for Nokia branded mobile phones", Robert Saville, founding partner at Mother marketing agencies, told AdWeek.