HMD unveils a compact phone inspired by the classics

HMD Global, the current owner of the Nokia brand, has introduced a new device, the Touch 4G. It's a device that defies easy categorization, combining the form factor of a touchscreen smartphone with the simplicity of an old-school feature phone.

With its 3.2-inch display and thick bezels, the gadget's design harkens back to media players of the past, rather than modern smartphones which typically boast screens twice the size. While it uses a touch interface, it runs on the lightweight RTOS Touch OS, not a full version of Android. This means you won't be able to install your usual apps from any app store.

The developers have tried to incorporate some smartphone-like features. It includes cameras—a 2 MP main shooter and a 0.3 MP front-facing camera for video calls. For communication, it uses an app called Express Chat for exchanging text and voice messages, as well as making video calls. A dedicated button on the side allows for quick audio recording. Under the hood, it's powered by a Unisoc T127 processor, paired with 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of internal storage.

For access to basic online services like news, weather, or sports scores, the device uses a cloud-based platform called Cloud Phone Service. Connectivity options include 4G LTE and Wi-Fi, and it features a USB-C port. The 1950 mAh battery is claimed to deliver up to 30 hours of operation.

The HMD Touch 4G is positioned as a solution for those seeking an alternative to large, complicated smartphones. Priced at $45, sales will begin in India, with a rollout to other regions to follow.