HMD Global, the company behind Nokia phones, has introduced a new entry in the feature phone category — the HMD Touch 4G, a compact, low-cost device designed to sit between a traditional mobile phone and a smartphone. Marketed as a “hybrid feature phone,” the HMD Touch 4G aims to give users basic smart functionality at a fraction of the cost of a standard Android handset.
The device offers access to cloud-based apps and services through what HMD calls its Cloud Phone Service. While it doesn’t run Android or iOS, it allows users to open web-based versions of apps like social platforms and search engines. It also supports Express Chat, HMD’s own voice and video calling app — though to use it effectively, your contacts must also have the same app installed on their phones. Express Chat is available for both Android and iOS, making it a possible bridge between feature phone users and smartphone owners.
Visually, the Touch 4G looks like a modernized version of a classic feature phone. It has a 3.2-inch QVGA touch display, a 2MP rear camera with LED flash, and a 0.3MP front-facing camera for basic selfies and video calls. The phone includes a Quick-Call button that doubles as a shortcut for instant voice messages, along with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi support, giving it more connectivity options than most budget handsets in its price range.
Under the hood, the device runs on RTOS Touch, a lightweight operating system optimized for low power use. It features 64MB of RAM and 128MB of internal storage, which can be expanded with a memory card. Powering it all is a 1,950mAh battery, rechargeable via USB-C — a rare inclusion at this price point.
The HMD Touch 4G is already available in India at an introductory price of ₹3,999 ($45), discounted from its standard retail price of ₹4,999 ($56). For users who primarily need calling, texting, and light online access — especially in developing markets where smartphone prices remain a hurdle — the device offers a practical, connected alternative that doesn’t rely entirely on app-heavy ecosystems.
While it won’t replace a full-fledged smartphone, the Touch 4G fills an interesting niche: a lightweight, affordable option that brings some “smart” capabilities to users who prefer simplicity, durability, and longer battery life.
