HMD announces partnership with Rajasthan Royals ahead of first smartphone launch

HMD Rajasthan Royals

HMD has announced a partnership with the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, naming them as the official smartphone partner for this year's IPL. This collaboration is part of HMD's strategy to increase brand visibility in India, especially as it gears up for the launch of its self-branded phone later this year. HMD is a Europe-based company that holds the license to sell Nokia phones across the world.

Tathagat Jena, head of marketing and online business for HMD in India, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Together with the Rajasthan Royals we will hit this brand association out of the park, it’s an affiliation of two brands that aim to be ahead of the curve – we both are passionate, bold, and always one step ahead.”
Alok Chitre, Chief Business Officer, Rajasthan Royals, said, "As we embark on this exciting journey with HMD as our Official Smartphone Partner, we envision a partnership fueled by innovation and a shared commitment to transforming society through cricket. At the Royals, our mission is not only to excel on the field but also to pioneer change through innovation. HMD embodies this spirit with its cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking approach, and we are looking forward to leveraging our synergies driven by innovation on and off the pitch."

HMD upcoming smartphone

In February 2024, HMD announced that it will drop the Nokia name from some of its smartphones and previewed a smartphone featuring clear HMD branding on the back panel. The company subsequently announced plans to launch this repairable phone in July.

Additionally, HMD shared two images on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the HMD smartphone would be available in Grey and Pink colour options. Furthermore, HMD disclosed intentions to introduce a smartphone featuring a 108MP camera.

Earlier this year, in partnership with Mattel, HMD Global also unveiled a Barbie-themed flip phone; however, specific details such as specifications, price, and release date were not disclosed by the company.