HMD Global, the Finnish company that has been making Nokia smartphones since 2016, has decided to completely exit the United States market. This move ends nearly 10 years of efforts to bring back Nokia phones in the U.S., the world’s third-largest smartphone market.
In a statement to Wired, HMD said it is “scaling back” its U.S. operations immediately. This means Nokia phones—and HMD’s own branded phones—will no longer be sold in the country. Popular models like the user-repairable Skyline and the Barbie flip phone (created in partnership with Mattel) will also be gone.
Why is HMD leaving the U.S.?
The main reason for HMD’s exit is what the company described as “a challenging geopolitical and economic environment.” This refers to rising tariffs and trade policies that have made it harder for budget phone makers like HMD to make profits. Since HMD focused on affordable phones with low profit margins, the added costs became too much to handle.
Signs of this exit have been visible for a while. HMD had already stopped selling some models in the U.S., removed devices from its website, and didn’t launch its latest phone, the Fusion X1, in America—though it’s available in other countries.
What happens to HMD’s U.S. employees?
HMD said it will support its U.S. staff during this transition but didn’t share details about how many jobs will be affected or whether there will be layoffs. This has created uncertainty for employees, as it’s unclear if jobs will be cut or shifted to other countries.
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What about existing customers?
If you already own a Nokia or HMD phone in the U.S., you won’t be abandoned. HMD has promised to continue honoring warranties and offering support through its global service teams. So, help will still be available for current users.
Some phones like the 2024 HMD Vibe can still be found on platforms like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, but these are likely leftover stock and not part of ongoing sales. HMD’s U.S. website has already stopped taking orders, even though product pages are still visible.
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The End of Nokia Phones?
The licensing deal that allows HMD to make Nokia phones expires in March 2026. If not renewed, this could be the final chapter for Nokia-branded smartphones—at least in the U.S.
In short, HMD Global is pulling out of the U.S. due to rising costs and market challenges, marking the end of Nokia phones in the American market once again.
