The HMD 101 4G Is a Nokia-Inspired Feature Phone With Dual SIM (And Snake)

Summary

It’s easy to dismiss basic “dumb” phones in a world obsessed with smartphones, but sometimes, limitations are actually a benefit. What if you just want to make calls, listen to tunes, and not worry about battery life? Enter the HMD 101 4G Dual SIM.

TheHMD 101 4Gis a phone that embraces an old school form factor while tossing in a few modern conveniences. It may remind you of an old Nokia phone, which is clearly intentional (HMD owns the Nokia brand). There’s 4G connectivity, which means clearer calls and solid internet access through its “Cloud Apps” for things like news and weather. This isn’t a phone for endless scrolling, it’s about getting information quickly and moving on with your day.

One of the best things about downgrading to a “dumb” phone is battery life. The HMD 101 4G has what sounds like a small battery, coming in at 1,000mAh, but again—this is not a smartphone. You’ll find that the battery easily lasts multiple days. And when it does eventually need a boost, it uses the common USB Type-C charger, so you likely already have a cable handy.

For those who may miss the standalone music players of the past, the HMD 101 4G comes with a built-in MP3 player and a radio, allowing you to carry your favorite tunes or do some retro “streaming." There’s even a MicroSD card slot so that you can expand your music library with up to 32GB of songs.

Speaking of compact, the HMD 101 4G is petite but sturdy. It’s tough build, rounded edges, and big buttons make it incredibly user-friendly. You won’t be fumbling with tiny on-screen keyboard buttons. Plus, it has a built-in flashlight, and yes, the classic Snake game is pre-loaded for when you have some time to kill.

As the name mentions, the HMD 101 4G supports dual SIM. It does not, however, feature a camera. If you’re interested in a very similar device with a camera, HMD also announced the102 4G. These devices were announced for the Middle East market, and pricing was not provided. They may eventually come to other countries, but the US is likely not one of them.