Nokia relaunches iconic 8110 slider phone

It also launched an update of its flagship Nokia 8 model, called the 8 Sirocco. The Android phone, built with a steel frame, is billed as one of the toughest phone models on the market and almost impossible to bend by hand.

Its specifications are almost the same as last year's Nokia 8 with the introduction of the new 5.5 inch 18:9 bezel-less, edge curved display that the company says it is up to the highest standards.

Designed to compete with Samsung's and Huawei's premium models, the Nokia 8 Sirocco is expected to be released in April at a price of 749 euros.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco is billed as one of the toughest phones on the market. (Photo: HMD Global)

Set up by ex-Nokia executives who have licensed the famous brand, HMD Global has focused on mid-priced Androids and even sub-US$100-priced phones since entering the smartphone market.

Chief executive Florian Seiche said HMD has sold around 30 million phones after introducing 11 new phone models over the past year. 

"We feel great about the momentum we had in 2017 and that gives us the confidence to double down in 2018," Seiche told reporters at a briefing in London ahead of the product launch.

Mobile phone market tracker Counterpoint Research said Nokia phones surged during 2017 to become the world's No. 1 seller of low-cost feature phones and No. 11 in smartphones after only entering the market last year. On a combined basis, Nokia now ranks as the No. 6 mobile phone seller, Counterpoint calculates.

HMD's strategy is to use distribution partnerships with 600 top mobile operators and retailers in selected markets around the world to offer reliable, affordable products with the latest innovations, plus monthly Google security updates on all phones.

Europe remains the biggest region for Nokia phones sales, Seiche said; India, Russia and Indonesia are its biggest country markets.

Nokia Corp, once the world's dominant phone maker, sold its handset business to Microsoft in 2014 and is now focused on telecom network equipment.

HMD took over the Nokia feature phone business from Microsoft in 2016 and struck a deal with Nokia Oyj to use the brand on smartphones.