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Nokia is the brand behind the best-selling mobile phone of all time, but it is now disappearing completely from the smartphone arena. The Nokia G310 5G will lose software support on August 24, 2026, and the Nokia
This is not the first time that Nokia has withdrawn from the telephone market. Microsoft purchased Nokia’s mobile business after striking a deal in 2013. Then, in 2016, mobile phone company HMD (founded in part by former members of Nokia management) licensed the Nokia brand for a new line of mobile phones. These phones were designed and manufactured by HMD, but bore the familiar Nokia logo. Now, HMD is phasing out the Nokia name in favor of its own line of HMD-branded smartphones.
HMD is not the owner of Nokia, but it is the company responsible for the use of the Nokia brand in the mobile device market. Nowadays, Nokia’s core business is telecommunications, networking and connectivity technologies. But for consumers who associate the Nokia name with mobile phone products, the end of life of the G310 5G and XR21 smartphones represents the end of an era.
The best replacement options for your Nokia smartphone
If you’re still using one of the Nokia phones that are about to lose software support once and for all, it’s probably time to start looking for a new alternative. The most natural replacement would be a newer HMD phone, but unfortunately HMD unceremoniously left the US market in 2025.
If you’re in the United States, your choices are limited to brands that can thrive in a competitive market. Owners say the most reliable Android phones are usually those from Samsung and Google. The Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 11 are both 2026 flagship releases that won’t go wrong if you can get past the sticker price.
Of course, the appeal of Nokia and HMD branded smartphones often lies in their balance of quality and affordability. If you’re looking for budget phones that are worth buying in 2026, consider options like the Motorola Moto G or a mid-range Samsung model like the Galaxy A57 5G. These will offer a similar level of quality to what you might be used to if you use the Nokia G310 5G or Nokia XR21 phones which are about to lose support soon.
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