HMD Global today announced plans to sell the Nokia 8.3 5G in the US starting in the fall months. The move is the first being made by HMD’s Juho Sarvikas, who is adding a new focus on North America to his list of responsibilities.
The Nokia 8.3 5G was first announced in March and serves as the most premium device in HMD’s current roster of smartphones. It is the company’s first 5G phone and has the highest number of 5G radio bands available to any phone — as long as we’re counting sub-6GHz; the phone doesn’t support mmWave 5G. In the US, AT&T and Verizon Wireless are the two biggest purveyors of mmWave 5G, while T-Mobile is relying mainly on sub-6GHz. That means the Nokia 8.3 5G, while unlocked, will best work on T-Mobile’s network.
In addition to the 5G radio, the 8.3 features a 6.81-inch display with 2,400 by 1,080 Full HD+ resolution. It’s capable of scaling SDR content to HDR for added depth to the color. The Nokia 8.3 5G is a glass sandwich, with glass on both sides of an aluminum frame. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, and includes 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,500mAh battery. The main camera boasts a 64MP sensor, which is joined by a 12MP ultra wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and a depth sensor. HMD hasn’t said if or when it will be updated to Android 11, which is expected to arrive before the phone itself.
See also: 5G in the US: What are your options?
What’s perhaps more notable than the phone’s pending US arrival is the impetus for its availability. Juho Sarvikas, long-time Chief Product Officer at HMD Global, is taking new responsibility for North America. He’s been named as Vice President North America at HMD, a role he will tackle alongside that of CPO. Sarvikas will work with US carriers to bring more of its devices, particularly those with 5G, to postpaid market.
HMD says the change is meant to showcase its commitment to North America. “We are doubling down in the US, and we are extremely excited to announce Juho’s appointment as Vice President North America,” commented Florian Seiche, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to working even closer with carriers in the region to fuel growth and bring the Nokia phones vision.”
The Nokia 8.3 5G is reaching world markets this summer for €599 (~$646). HMD Global only said the phone would be available in the US “this autumn.” Pricing for the US market was not announced.
