New HMD 100, 101, 102 Phones Released: Features Slashed to Bare Minimum

HMD Global has introduced a new set of entry-level devices that are aimed at the ultra-basic phone segment. The company presented three new devices: the HMD 100, HMD 101, and HMD 102 all of which come with a more minimalist design and have fewer features as compared to earlier models.

Among the three, the HMD 102 is the most impressive with an MP3 player and an LED flash equipped camera as its main features. The HMD 101 does not have a camera, and the HMD 100 reduces the device further by seemingly eliminating the MP3 player and microSD card support, hence, indicating the least internal storage.

The new devices, however, do not prominently feature 4G connectivity, which is a crucial aspect these days since many countries are discontinuing their 2G and 3G networks. The phones come with microUSB ports, which is a specification that does not meet the current standards in some areas, including the EU, where USB-C is now the law for portable gadgets.

Where network transitions are still happening, HMD still sells 4G-supportive models with dual SIM options. The HMD 101 4G and other models like HMD 105 4G and HMD 110 4G are still in the market where 4G connectivity is necessary. The user manuals for both the regular and 4G versions are now available on the official site of HMD India, thus confirming their continued support for the network areas where 2G is still operational.

With the launch, HMD signals its intention to be a player in the market for ultra-cheap phones while at the same time keeping in mind regional compliance with regulatory norms and varying network needs.