The Fusion X1, priced at $250-$300 and available in May, includes a 108MP camera, 5000mAh battery, face and fingerprint security, splash-proof design (IP54), and a headphone jack. Kids can customise it with “Outfits” for gaming, selfies, or extra battery life.
Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s Chief Marketing Officer, said, “We believe kids shouldn’t have to choose between safety and having a smartphone they love.”These concerns are backed by HMD’s July 2024 survey of 10,000 parents worldwide, which found 75% fear internet dangers, 65% see mental health effects from phones, and over half wish they had delayed giving kids smartphones.
Governments are stepping in too—Australia has barred under-16s from social media, while France and Denmark ban phones in schools for younger pupils, per recent laws.
At MWC, HMD also unveiled the HMD 130 and 150 Music feature phones with FM radio and Bluetooth speakers, plus the HMD Barça 3210 and Barça Fusion, tied to its FC Barcelona sponsorship.
HMD confirmed that a new project with actress Drew Barrymore, “Project Wildflower,” targets excessive scrolling. CEO Jean-Francois Baril said, “Our Better Phone project worked with teens, parents, and experts to understand how to introduce smart devices to families, and we’re excited to launch our first device built on its foundations, the HMD Fusion X1.”
Despite this, feature phone sales are falling—down 38% in North America and 11% in Western Europe from 2023 to 2024, according to Counterpoint Research. Rivals like Pinwheel and Gabb have offered kid-focused smartphones for over five years, while Light Phone works with schools for adults.
