HMD is reportedly working on a new tile style interface for its smartphones, drawing inspiration from the Nokia Lumia and Windows Phone era. According to leaks shared by HMD focused accounts on social media, the company is experimenting with a user interface inspired by Microsoft’s earlier Windows Phone layout and Nokia’s X Software Platform, with the design expected to run on Android rather than a separate operating system.
The leaked design reportedly uses colorful tiles in place of the standard Android home screen layout, echoing the Live Tiles concept from Windows Phone that displayed glanceable information such as messages, photos, updates, and app activity directly on the home screen. If HMD proceeds with the design, it would give its devices a visual identity distinct from most current Android phones, which have largely converged around similar app grid layouts in recent years. The interface remains unconfirmed and has only surfaced through leaks so far, with no official announcement from HMD.
The reported move would align with HMD’s broader strategy of drawing on Nokia’s older design identity in recent product releases. The company has already launched phones incorporating design cues reminiscent of the Lumia era, with devices such as the HMD Skyline drawing comparisons to the Lumia 920 due to their squared off shape and colorful body design. A tile based Android launcher would extend that nostalgia from hardware into the software experience, potentially deepening the connection to Nokia’s earlier smartphone identity. Separate reports have also suggested that HMD has explored reviving additional legacy Nokia branding, including possible interest in Lumia related trademarks and patents, alongside its earlier acquisition of the Nokia Asha trademark in 2018.
Most Android phones today rely on broadly similar software layouts, making differentiation increasingly difficult for smaller brands competing against larger manufacturers. A Windows Phone style tile launcher could offer HMD a clearer visual identity while still preserving compatibility with the broader Android app ecosystem, potentially appealing to users who recall Windows Phone’s simple typography and live updates. Whether the concept translates into a finished product remains uncertain, and the tile style interface continues to circulate only as an unconfirmed leak for now.
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