Skip to main content

Microsoft now owns Nokia, but with a few changes to the original plan (Updated)

Microsoft has confirmed the acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services division will be completed on April 25. Announced late last year, the deal is a month behind schedule, following some last minute, extended regulatory checks carried out by Chinese authorities. With the end in sight, Microsoft has written a blog post about some final alterations to the original plan.

Updated on 04-29-2014 by Andy: As expected, the sale of Nokia’s Devices and Services business to Microsoft went through on April 25. The final price is listed as 5.44 billion euros. Stephen Elop, former CEO, along with the following members of the executive team, Jo Harlow, Chris Weber, Juha Putkiranta, and Timo Toikkanen, will transfer over to Microsoft.

Recommended Videos

While Nokia’s Korean manufacturing plant was going to transfer to Microsoft, this will no longer happen. Nokia says the change is due to “excess capacity” on Microsoft’s part. Nokia currently employs around 200 people at the plant, which is dedicated to building phones, something which Nokia won’t be doing for some time. Sadly, following the completion of the deal, Nokia has confirmed it will be closing the factory, but it will be offering assistance to the employees there.

Initially, Nokia clung on to its Chief Technology Office, also known as CTO, where it carries out research into future technologies. However, its Chinese branch – which works on phone tech – will now become part of the Microsoft family. The 21 employees will continue their work, but will answer to Microsoft instead. This is an interesting change, and shows Microsoft is not only serious about phone innovation, but also about investing in the Chinese market.

Finally, it has been agreed that Microsoft will manage the nokia.com website, and all Nokia’s existing social media accounts, for the coming year. According to the Financial Times, once the year is up, Nokia will take back control of its own domain name to “maintain its brand in the future.”

The deal’s closure comes shortly after a letter from Nokia to its suppliers was leaked, supposedly informing them the Nokia name – when related to phones – would change to Microsoft Mobile. This hasn’t been confirmed by either company yet, but could come on or around April 25, once the signatures have dried.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Latest iPhone Fold leak adds weight to previously rumored design feature
Concept render of a foldable iPhone.

There are plenty of rumors surrounding Apple's next iPhone models, with the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models expected to be revealed later this year, likely in September. A super slim iPhone – dubbed the iPhone 17 Air in most rumors – has also been heavily speculated to arrive this year, competing with the recent Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, but next year could see an even more exciting iPhone launch. 

It's long been rumored that 2026 could be the year Apple finally joins the folding phone market, with its offering going up against devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, or what will likely be the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by the time Apple's model arrives. There have already been a number of reports suggesting what the iPhone Fold might feature, but the latest talks about the screen ratios of both the main and cover displays, as well as the front camera design. 

Read more
Nothing 2 owners treated to new features in free update
A person holding the Nothing Phone 2.

If you’re a Nothing Phone 2 user, the company has some news for you. In its latest X post, the company announced the latest update for its current flagship. And yes, the new goodies are significant.

The May OS update for your Phone 2 is designed to invigorate your daily interactions and ensure a consistently fresh and fluid experience. This update also introduces several key features and enhancements to bolster privacy, simplify media access, and refine overall system performance.

Read more
The foldable iPhone could become a yearly staple for Apple
Semi-open state of a foldable iPhone concept

South Korean tech site ET News has released a report suggesting the foldable iPhone will get an annual refresh starting in 2026. It would replace the Pro Max as the top-of-the-line iPhone model and get updated every year just like the rest of the core lineup.

The launch date for the "iPhone Fold" is still up in the air -- so while ET News is betting on 2026, we don't know if that will turn out to be accurate or not. Either way, the hype around this rumored new model is continuing to build with every new leak we get.

Read more