HMD Reportedly Developing New Side-Sliding Phone Inspired by Nokia N95

HMD may be preparing a new side-sliding smartphone inspired by the Nokia N95, bringing back a form factor rarely seen on modern Android phones.

According to a new leak shared by smashx_60, HMD is working on a side-sliding smartphone whose overall design is said to resemble the company's cancelled Nokia N95-inspired prototype from 2020. The upcoming device is also expected to target a relatively affordable price point.

HMD has not officially announced the phone, so its final name, specifications, price and release date remain unknown.

A Modern Nokia N95-Style Slider?

The most interesting part of the leak is the side-sliding mechanism.

HMD previously experimented with a modern smartphone inspired by the legendary Nokia N95. That prototype was revealed publicly in 2020 but never entered commercial production.

Unlike the original Nokia N95's dual vertical slider, HMD's modern concept used a sideways-sliding display. Moving the screen sideways could reveal additional hardware including cameras and a large speaker area.

The concept also included a clever camera-ring kickstand, allowing the phone to stand horizontally for watching videos or making calls.

According to DeviceDecode, bringing a similar idea back in 2026 could help HMD differentiate its phones from the increasingly similar slab-style Android smartphone market.

Cancelled Nokia N95 Concept Specs

The latest report also revisited specifications of HMD's cancelled 2020 Nokia N95-inspired device.

That prototype reportedly featured:

1. 6.39-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display
2. Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
3. 8GB RAM
4. 128GB storage
5. 48MP main camera
6. 8MP secondary camera
7. 5MP additional rear camera
8. Zeiss-branded camera system
9. 16MP front camera
10. 4,500mAh battery
11. 20W wired charging

These specifications relate to the old cancelled prototype and should not be confused with the specifications of HMD's rumored new side-sliding smartphone.

Since more than five years have passed, a commercial 2026 model would almost certainly require newer hardware.

Why the Nokia N95 Design Still Matters

The original Nokia N95, launched in 2007, became famous for its unusual dual-slider design.

Users could slide the screen in one direction to access the keypad and in the opposite direction to access dedicated multimedia controls. The N95 also offered features including a 5MP Carl Zeiss camera, Wi-Fi and GPS at a time when modern smartphones were still emerging.

HMD's cancelled modern interpretation took a different approach but kept the idea of using mechanical movement to provide additional functionality.

The 2020 concept slid sideways instead of using the classic N95's vertical mechanism and was designed to work comfortably in both portrait and landscape orientations.

HMD Could Target an Affordable Price

The latest leak claims HMD's new slider will be affordably priced, although no exact figure has been revealed.

That could be important. Foldable smartphones offer unusual designs but generally remain expensive. A traditional mechanical slider could potentially provide a distinctive design without requiring a costly flexible OLED panel.

However, there is currently no confirmation regarding the new phone's:

1. Processor
2. Camera hardware
3. Display size
4. Battery capacity
5. Operating system
6. Product name
7. Launch date
8. Exact price

Until HMD officially reveals the device, these details remain unknown.

DeviceDecode Take

A modern Nokia N95-inspired side-slider could be one of HMD's most interesting smartphones if the company actually brings it to market.

Instead of competing only through processor upgrades or cameras, HMD could use the sliding mechanism to give the device a clear identity.

The biggest question is what will appear underneath the sliding display. HMD's cancelled prototype experimented with speakers and cameras, but the company could potentially use the space differently on a 2026 model.

For now, the new HMD slider remains a leak rather than an officially announced product.

Sources: IT Home, citing smashx_60; Android Authority's 2020 coverage of HMD's Nokia N95-inspired prototype.