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[Update 2: New Roadmap] HMD Global reveals Android 10 update roadmap for its Nokia smartphones, teases cheap 5G phone for 2020
HMD Global plans to update over 15 Nokia devices to Android 10, starting this year. They are also planning an affordable 5G device.
The latest version of Android, formerly known as Android Q, will be called Android 10 as part of Google's newest efforts to give Android a fresher look. That's it, no fluff, no dessert name---just Android 10. And while this may make sense from a business perspective, it is still not sitting well with Android enthusiasts. Nonetheless, Google made the announcement in anticipation of the OS' stable release, which should now come sooner than later, and with it, some companies have started detailing their plans for rolling out the new OS to Android users. One of these companies is HMD Global, which has outlined their Android 10 update roadmap for their Nokia device lineup.
HMD Global will continue to support its first-gen Nokia phones for another year
HMD Global is extending its promise of providing security patches to first-gen Nokia phones from two years, to a quarterly release in the third year.
Back in February 2017, HMD Global announced the re-entry of the Nokia brand with the international launch of the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 smartphones. This was followed up by the Nokia 8 in August 2017 and the Nokia 2 in October 2017. HMD Global executives mentioned in an interview that OEM skins on top of Android aren't the way it should be and that the customers deserve to have the latest security patches from Google as soon as they are made available. Nokia phones were also promised to receive two major updates and two years of regular security updates. By and large, HMD Global has delivered on the promise, providing timely patches and Android version upgrades across the Nokia device lineup. Now, the company is announcing its intention to surpass this promise, by providing an additional year of security patches.
How to unlock the Nokia 2.1 bootloader
It is now possible to unofficially unlock the bootloader for the Nokia 2.1 - a necessary first step for rooting and flashing custom ROMs.
Nokia 2.1 owners now have a way to unlock their bootloaders thanks to the efforts of XDA Senior Member hikari_calyx. This, of course, is a required first step towards opening up a world of possibilities in the way of rooting and flashing custom ROMs, kernels, and other mods. The procedure described in the forum post involves flashing a "service bootloader" file available via a firmware download link and then unlocking it. Of course, the hope is that enough time passes before Nokia-brand manufacturer HMD Global blocks the procedure for a decent development community to, erm, develop. Of course, since Android Pie is already available for the Nokia 2.1, any custom ROMs that get built will no doubt be based on Pie.
Nokia 2 users can now upgrade to Android Oreo if they choose
The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android Oreo (but only if they want to).
HMD Global is made up of a number of ex-Nokia employees who decided to form a new company once Microsoft ended up floundering in the smartphone market. They started to license the Nokia name so they could release smartphones under the well-known brand. Since then, they have released a range of devices that cover the majority of the Android market from affordable low-end smartphones to more expensive high-end devices. The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android 8.1 Oreo, but only if they want to.
HMD Global will update the Nokia 2 to Android Oreo, but not with Android Go
HMD Global will update the Nokia 2 to Android Oreo, but it won't have Android Go support. The update will also be optional.
HMD Global has, by and large, knocked it out of the park when it comes to updating their devices. Their updates are generally pretty quick, even if they aren't without their issues. The Nokia 2 is next in line from the company to get updated to Android Oreo, but there is a caveat. Despite having only 1GB of RAM, the Nokia 2 will not have Android Go support. Android Go features a number of under-the-hood changes that make it possible for smartphones with a low amount of RAM to run newer Android versions.
Nokia Camera with Pro Camera mode ported to Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6, and more
XDA Senior Member hikari_calyx has released a port of the Nokia camera with Nokia Pro Camera mode to other Nokia smartphones including the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6 and others.
Earlier this year we learned that HMD Global was bringing the well-known Nokia Pro Camera mode to the Nokia Camera application for their Zeiss optics branded Android smartphones. This was first announced for the Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco and has since been released for the Nokia 7 and the Nokia 8. The company is working to optimize the Nokia Camera application for their other Nokia devices as well, but the Pro Camera mode may not arrive on their other Nokia-branded devices. If you would rather not wait, XDA Senior Member hikari_calyx has released a port of the Nokia Camera app with Nokia Pro Camera mode for other Nokia-branded smartphones including the Nokia 1, Nokia 2 (2017 and 2018), Nokia 3 (2017 and 2018), Nokia 5, and Nokia 6.
Leaked Renders Reveal the Low-End Nokia 2 Smartphone
Renders of what is claimed to be the low-end Nokia 2 from HMD Global has been revealed, and FCC documents suggest it will have a 4,000mAh capacity battery.
After being acquired by Microsoft, a lot of Nokia fans had high hopes for them to thrive within the smartphone market. Their Lumia phones are still highly regarded but with Microsoft seemingly given up these days, it left people wanting more from the legendary cellular phone maker. HMD Global stepped up and started to license the Nokia brand name from the company so they could use the Android operating system to launch a new era for the brand and they could be planning to launch the Nokia 2 soon.