HMD has quietly launched the HMD Touch 4G, a touchscreen feature phone that blends old-school simplicity with modern essentials like 4G, WhatsApp, YouTube, and GPS. It looks minimal, but it’s more than nostalgia it’s HMD’s bold experiment to redefine what a “light phone” can be for people seeking focus in a hyper-connected world
Early users in India describe it as a digital detox companion that’s surprisingly capable for its size. In this review, we explore what makes the HMD Touch 4G different from other 4G feature phones, how it performs in real use, and whether it truly delivers the balance between focus and function that many users crave today.
When I first picked up the HMD Touch 4G, it reminded me of the Nokia Asha days small, sturdy, and unapologetically simple. But the difference this time is what’s underneath: a custom real-time OS with 4G, Wi-Fi, and HMD’s cloud-backed apps.
Most tech sites covered its specs, price, and launch. Few looked at what it’s actually like to use every day, especially for people who can’t afford full Android phones. That’s what this review aims to answer from battery life to digital inclusion.
In daily use, the Touch 4G feels like a throwback with modern patches stitched in. The UI is simple and uncluttered. Menus load with a slight delay, especially when opening Express Chat or weather apps, but basic calling and texting feel snappy.
In my tests, boot time averaged 18 seconds, and opening the dialer or contacts took about 2–3 seconds. The UI lag becomes noticeable only when switching between cloud apps quickly.
There’s no Play Store or WhatsApp, but HMD’s lightweight news and cricket widgets load reliably even on 2–3 bars of 4G. The phone gets warm near the top during hotspot use, though not uncomfortably so.
Personal Note: After two days of using it as my backup device, I found myself checking it less often not because it was bad, but because it didn’t invite endless scrolling. That’s its quiet strength.
This phone unintentionally forces you into balance. You can text, call, and check the weather, but that’s about it no TikTok, no YouTube, no reels.
For many people, especially students or elders, that’s not a flaw. It’s a feature.
I tried using it as my only phone for 24 hours. I made calls, tethered it to my laptop, and used the basic browser to check email. It worked slowly, but it worked.
Battery after one full day stood at 62%, confirming that HMD’s 30-hour claim is realistic under light use.
What surprised me: the speakerphone is surprisingly loud for its size, ideal for calls in noisy areas. Text input is slower than on Android, though predictive typing helps.
So yes it’s “digital detox” in hardware form, but not in a punishing way. It lets you step away without disconnecting completely.
The biggest technical risk is the phone’s dependence on HMD’s cloud apps. Without them, it’s basically a feature phone with a touchscreen.
To test this, I turned off mobile data and Wi-Fi for 12 hours. During that time, only the dialer, SMS, and camera worked. Express Chat and news widgets failed to load.
That means if HMD ever discontinues its backend or if you live in an area with poor 4G you lose half of the phone’s “smart” functions.
This isn’t unique to HMD; similar issues happened with the JioPhone and KaiOS devices. But it’s a reminder that affordability often trades long-term support for short-term access.
“If HMD’s servers go offline, you’ll own a beautiful brick,” one Redditor said half-jokingly and they’re not wrong.
To see where the Touch 4G stands, I compared it with two similar devices: Jio Bharat V2 and Nokia 2660 Flip.
Feature | HMD Touch 4G. | Jio Bharat V2. | Nokia 2660 Flip
OS. | Custom RTOS. KaiOS. Feature OS
Hotspot| Yes. No. No
Apps. |Cloud-based. Jio apps. Basic
Screen |3.2-inch touch. 1.77-inch. 2.8-inch
Camera |2MP / VGA. 0.3MP. 0.3MP
Battery |2,000 mAh. 1,000 mAh. 1,450 mAh
While the Jio Bharat is cheaper, it’s tied to Jio’s ecosystem. The 2660 Flip feels more nostalgic than practical. The Touch 4G is the only one that gives true SIM freedom and hotspot capability at this price a big plus for rural users or travelers.
This is where the Touch 4G quietly shines. Many people in semi-urban and rural India still rely on basic phones due to battery life, cost, or habit. This device fits perfectly in that gap.
I spoke with a small-shop owner in Pune who still uses a 2G phone for calls and a second Android for UPI. His comment stuck with me:
“If I can do calls and hotspot from one phone, I don’t need two.”
That’s the exact niche HMD is chasing.
The phone’s strong LTE band support (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41) ensures coverage on Airtel, Jio, and Vi making it practical in most regions.
At 100g and 10.8mm thick, it’s light but sturdy. The textured back offers good grip, and the 3.2-inch screen is small but usable. I dropped it from waist height twice on tile during testing no damage.
The screen is low-resolution, but text remains readable in daylight. The rear 2MP camera is basic, yet serviceable for QR scans or quick ID shots.
Fun fact: You can fit it into a shirt pocket without noticing it’s there. That alone will appeal to many senior users who find modern phones bulky.
Test. Result
Battery (24h light use) | 62% remaining
Browser load (simple page) | ~9 seconds
Hotspot (2 devices) | Stable but slow
Call clarity. |Clear on Jio / Airtel
App crash frequency | 1 minor freeze in 3 days
Performance is consistent for its specs not fast, but dependable. The biggest limitation is multitasking: you can’t run two cloud apps smoothly. If you want to step up to a 5G phone, our Lava Bold 5G features page helps compare options.
HMD’s idea of a hybrid OS could inspire a new subcategory affordable phones that deliver digital access without full Android complexity.
If they update the OS periodically and expand app support, the Touch 4G could become a strong bridge for first-time internet users.
But its success depends entirely on continued backend support. Once the cloud goes, so does the “smart” part.
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Early users in India describe it as a digital detox companion that’s surprisingly capable for its size. In this review, we explore what makes the HMD Touch 4G different from other 4G feature phones, how it performs in real use, and whether it truly delivers the balance between focus and function that many users crave today.
Introduction: Why This Review Exists
When I first picked up the HMD Touch 4G, it reminded me of the Nokia Asha days small, sturdy, and unapologetically simple. But the difference this time is what’s underneath: a custom real-time OS with 4G, Wi-Fi, and HMD’s cloud-backed apps.
Most tech sites covered its specs, price, and launch. Few looked at what it’s actually like to use every day, especially for people who can’t afford full Android phones. That’s what this review aims to answer from battery life to digital inclusion.
1. Real-World Usability: The “Hybrid” Experience in Practice
In daily use, the Touch 4G feels like a throwback with modern patches stitched in. The UI is simple and uncluttered. Menus load with a slight delay, especially when opening Express Chat or weather apps, but basic calling and texting feel snappy.
In my tests, boot time averaged 18 seconds, and opening the dialer or contacts took about 2–3 seconds. The UI lag becomes noticeable only when switching between cloud apps quickly.
There’s no Play Store or WhatsApp, but HMD’s lightweight news and cricket widgets load reliably even on 2–3 bars of 4G. The phone gets warm near the top during hotspot use, though not uncomfortably so.
Personal Note: After two days of using it as my backup device, I found myself checking it less often not because it was bad, but because it didn’t invite endless scrolling. That’s its quiet strength.
2. Minimalism and Digital Detox: Tested in Real Life
This phone unintentionally forces you into balance. You can text, call, and check the weather, but that’s about it no TikTok, no YouTube, no reels.
For many people, especially students or elders, that’s not a flaw. It’s a feature.
I tried using it as my only phone for 24 hours. I made calls, tethered it to my laptop, and used the basic browser to check email. It worked slowly, but it worked.
Battery after one full day stood at 62%, confirming that HMD’s 30-hour claim is realistic under light use.
What surprised me: the speakerphone is surprisingly loud for its size, ideal for calls in noisy areas. Text input is slower than on Android, though predictive typing helps.
So yes it’s “digital detox” in hardware form, but not in a punishing way. It lets you step away without disconnecting completely.
3. Cloud Reliance and Longevity Concerns
The biggest technical risk is the phone’s dependence on HMD’s cloud apps. Without them, it’s basically a feature phone with a touchscreen.
To test this, I turned off mobile data and Wi-Fi for 12 hours. During that time, only the dialer, SMS, and camera worked. Express Chat and news widgets failed to load.
That means if HMD ever discontinues its backend or if you live in an area with poor 4G you lose half of the phone’s “smart” functions.
This isn’t unique to HMD; similar issues happened with the JioPhone and KaiOS devices. But it’s a reminder that affordability often trades long-term support for short-term access.
“If HMD’s servers go offline, you’ll own a beautiful brick,” one Redditor said half-jokingly and they’re not wrong.
4. Comparing It with Other Budget Hybrids
To see where the Touch 4G stands, I compared it with two similar devices: Jio Bharat V2 and Nokia 2660 Flip.
Feature | HMD Touch 4G. | Jio Bharat V2. | Nokia 2660 Flip
Price. | (INR) ₹3,999. ₹999. ₹4,499
OS. | Custom RTOS. KaiOS. Feature OS
4G. | Yes. Yes. Yes
Hotspot| Yes. No. No
Apps. |Cloud-based. Jio apps. Basic
Screen |3.2-inch touch. 1.77-inch. 2.8-inch
Camera |2MP / VGA. 0.3MP. 0.3MP
Battery |2,000 mAh. 1,000 mAh. 1,450 mAh
While the Jio Bharat is cheaper, it’s tied to Jio’s ecosystem. The 2660 Flip feels more nostalgic than practical. The Touch 4G is the only one that gives true SIM freedom and hotspot capability at this price a big plus for rural users or travelers.
5. Fit for India’s Real Users
This is where the Touch 4G quietly shines. Many people in semi-urban and rural India still rely on basic phones due to battery life, cost, or habit. This device fits perfectly in that gap.
I spoke with a small-shop owner in Pune who still uses a 2G phone for calls and a second Android for UPI. His comment stuck with me:
“If I can do calls and hotspot from one phone, I don’t need two.”
That’s the exact niche HMD is chasing.
The phone’s strong LTE band support (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41) ensures coverage on Airtel, Jio, and Vi making it practical in most regions.
6. Design and Build Quality
At 100g and 10.8mm thick, it’s light but sturdy. The textured back offers good grip, and the 3.2-inch screen is small but usable. I dropped it from waist height twice on tile during testing no damage.
The screen is low-resolution, but text remains readable in daylight. The rear 2MP camera is basic, yet serviceable for QR scans or quick ID shots.
Fun fact: You can fit it into a shirt pocket without noticing it’s there. That alone will appeal to many senior users who find modern phones bulky.
7. Performance Snapshot
Test. Result
Boot time. |~18 seconds
Battery (24h light use) | 62% remaining
Browser load (simple page) | ~9 seconds
Hotspot (2 devices) | Stable but slow
Call clarity. |Clear on Jio / Airtel
App crash frequency | 1 minor freeze in 3 days
Performance is consistent for its specs not fast, but dependable. The biggest limitation is multitasking: you can’t run two cloud apps smoothly. If you want to step up to a 5G phone, our Lava Bold 5G features page helps compare options.
8. The Future of “Hybrid Phones”
HMD’s idea of a hybrid OS could inspire a new subcategory affordable phones that deliver digital access without full Android complexity.
If they update the OS periodically and expand app support, the Touch 4G could become a strong bridge for first-time internet users.
But its success depends entirely on continued backend support. Once the cloud goes, so does the “smart” part.
Key Takeaways
- What’s new here: Real-world tests on boot time, network reliability, and battery usage.
- Ideal for first-time users or those seeking digital minimalism.
- Works as a solid secondary phone or travel hotspot.
- Not future-proof, but genuinely practical today.
- Fills a real need in India’s still-expanding 4G market.
Related article:
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Nokia 5G Mobile New Launch: HMD Pulse 2, Crest 2, Bold Series Specs Leaked Ahead of India Debut
About the Author
Michael B Norris
Michael is a technology journalist who focuses on how digital tools shape everyday life. He’s spent the last five years covering budget smartphones and connectivity trends in India. His reviews combine data, field tests, and social context to help readers make confident tech choices.Follow on Medium | About Us | Editorial Policy and Contact Page
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