HMD built a modern, sliding Nokia N95 concept: Would you buy it?

HMD Global has remade several Nokia devices over the years, including the legendary 3310 and the 8110 from The Matrix film series. Now, it turns out that the company was planning to remake another classic: the Nokia N95.

According to a tweet by HMD’s Juho Sarvikas, the N-Series flagship inspired a modern sliding concept that was ultimately abandoned. And the company did actually make a reference device, as detailed in the Mr. Mobile video below (skip to 6:10).

Unlike the N95 which slid upward to reveal a T9 keyboard or downward for playback controls, the modern N95 concept slides from left to right revealing a selfie camera duo and full-length speaker grille. Aesthetically, it retains Nokia’s current design language of a circular rear camera array and smooth lines. Smartly though, a flip-ring around the cameras acts as a built-in stand.

A vertical sliding system was also considered. Sliding the screen up reveals a “very loud speaker,” while sliding down uncovers dual front cameras and LEDs. Sarvikas notes that the problem with this design is that users can’t “access cameras and the speaker at the same time.”

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In the age of wacky smartphone form factors that have bred foldables, T-screens, and modern flip phones, the Nokia concept doesn’t seem that far-fetched. If anything, the concept would arguably be the most practical non-traditional form factor available, especially while watching content. According to Sarvikas, the “objective was to secure usability in both landscape and portrait as well as comfortable single hand use.” They arguably nailed that with the sideways slide.

Unlike the more adventurous form factors currently available, a simple sideways slider would likely be cheaper to build than a foldable or flip phone. Dare we say, if it’s anything like the N95, it should be pretty hardy, too.

While there’s seemingly no plan to bring this concept to market at present, we see no reason why HMD wouldn’t consider sliding phones in the future. Whether that device can capture the N95 magic and bring something truly useful to the market remains to be seen.

Would you purchase a Nokia N95-inspired sliding phone if HMD made one? Let us know your thoughts in the comment below, or vote in the poll above.