Future Nokia phones may have a custom UI skin over Android

HMD, the company better known for Nokia smartphones, might be choosing a different smartphone software strategy soon. Until now we saw Nokia smartphones coming with vanilla Android experience as they were a part of the Android One program. However, it looks like the firm might soon start working on its own UI skin - just like any other popular brand like Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Vivo, Oppo and more.

There’s no official announcement on this but a mere vacancy seems to have given an indication. HMD is hiring a User Experience Designer" suggesting that there could be someone working on a custom skin. The opening is live on LinkedIn but doesn’t give away a lot of information.

However, it does note that the UX/UI designer is responsible for "user interface elements like menus, tabs, and widgets." But since the description doesn’t mention anything explicitly about the custom UI/UX, the position might be for simply revamping the first-party apps.

Having a custom UI might turn out to be a double edged sword for Nokia. While offering a vanilla Android experience is one of the key features of Nokia handsets, having a custom UI will make it unique and different from other OEMs in the market.

A lot has been happening in the world of Nokia these days. Recently HMD’s product chief Juho Sarvikas left the firm and announced he is joining Qualcomm as the VP & President, North America. In addition, the company recently announced that it is holding an event on April 8. It is being expected that the Nokia G-series and the Nokia X-series smartphones are going to be launched at the event.