HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has introduced a genuinely unique offering into the mobile ecosystem: the HMD Touch 4G. Positioned by the Finnish startup as a “hybrid phone,” the device is engineered to bridge the growing gap between the affordability of a traditional feature phone and the essential connectivity features of a modern smartphone. This is a product built for consumers—students, blue-collar professionals, and youth—who need basic internet access, communication, and long-lasting battery life without the complexity or cost of a full Android system.
The HMD Touch 4G’s design ethos centres on maximising efficiency in a minimal package. The phone is powered by a low-power Unisoc T127 chipset, which is paired with a minimal 64MB of RAM and 128MB of internal storage. This lightweight architecture is key to the phone’s success, as it runs on RTOS Touch (or S30+ Touch), a custom-built Real-Time Operating System optimised specifically for touchscreen responsiveness and maximum battery life.
This technical trade-off means the phone bypasses the heavy resource demands of a full Android operating system, yet still delivers essential modern features. Users can expand the modest storage by up to 32GB via a MicroSD card.
The phone’s small physical footprint—it weighs just 100g and measures 10.85mm thin—hides surprisingly robust connectivity. It includes 4G LTE and VoLTE for clear voice calls, along with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. Crucially, the device supports Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, enabling users to share their 4G connection with other devices.
Communication is handled by the proprietary Express Chat app, which allows users to engage in real-time chatting, group messaging, and even video calls. This app is freely available for download on both Android and iOS devices, ensuring seamless communication with friends who own full smartphones. For other media, the phone leverages a Cloud Phone Service, utilising cloud-hosted browser shortcuts to provide quick access to cricket scores, news, weather updates, and trending videos without requiring large, data-heavy native applications.
The front features a 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen display (320 x 240 resolution). For optics, the phone includes a 2MP rear camera with LED flash and a 0.3MP (VGA) front camera for video calls.
Battery life is a key selling point. The device packs a 1,950mAh to 2,000mAh removable battery that HMD claims can deliver up to 30 hours of use on a single charge. It charges via a modern USB Type-C port and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio.
In terms of utility and safety, the HMD Touch 4G is rated IP52 for dust and splash resistance. It also features a dedicated ICE (In Case of Emergency) key—a Quick-Call button that can be activated by three short clicks or one long press to trigger emergency calls or send instant voice messages.
Pricing and Availability
The HMD Touch 4G has launched in India with an official price of ₹3,999 (approximately RM190).
The device is available for purchase now and comes in two signature colour options: Cyan and Dark Blue. It will be sold via HMD’s official website, select e-commerce platforms, and retail stores.
