Matthew Cooper 
Jan 22, 2024
HMD Global has been gearing up for the release of its first smartphone under its brand name, unlike its previous practice of releasing smartphones under the Nokia brand.
Recently leaked renders provide a glimpse of the rumoured N159V smartphone, showcasing a black variant with a dual rear camera setup accompanied by an LED flash. The rear panel features the new HMD logo, signalling a potential shift in branding strategy.
Although the specific name of the handset remains unknown, the leaked image suggests that it will likely be positioned as a midrange device. The design indicates a plastic rear panel and the right side of the phone appears to house the power and volume buttons.
The renders depict a flat display, and the front camera for selfies and video calls is likely to be situated within a centrally aligned hole punch cutout at the top of the screen. However, details regarding the presence of a 3.5mm audio jack at either the top or bottom of the phone were not revealed.
This move to release devices under the HMD brand marks a shift from the company's longstanding practice of globally marketing phones under the Nokia brand since 2016. In September 2023, HMD Global's CEO, Jean-Francois Baril, hinted at the company's intention to diversify its product portfolio by introducing phones under the HMD brand.
