https://www.cnet.com/news/nokia-8-us-china-variant-ram-rumor/

Up until now, it's been reported that HMD Global, the company that licenses the Nokia phone brand, had no plans to release its new flagship phone in these two countries. But now, it's suggested that the company could instead launch a "custom" Nokia 8 variant specially for the US and China.

The Nokia 8 -- unveiled just last week -- is the brand's first truly premium Android phone. HMD Global picked up the Nokia name from Microsoft last year and pivoted the operating system from Windows Phone to Android. Earlier this year we saw the release of the Nokia 3, 5 and 6 -- which are all affordable or midrange Android devices. The Nokia 8's premium status puts it in competition with other flagship Android devices such as the Galaxy S8, LG G6 and Google Pixel. But the Nokia brand could miss a huge competitivie opportunity by skipping the US or China, two of the biggest global phone markets.