Key Takeaways
1. The HMD Fusion X1 is marketed as the first smartphone designed specifically for teenagers, developed through The Better Phone Project in collaboration with Xplora.
2. The device includes safety features based on a survey of 25,000 parents and children, addressing concerns about harassment and bullying.
3. The HMD Fusion X1 is a modified version of the HMD Fusion phone, incorporating custom software for parental oversight, available for a monthly fee of €4.99.
4. Parents can set location alerts, approve apps, create screen time limits, and monitor their child’s location history with the device.
5. Additional features include social media restrictions, emergency SOS calling, and a design that allows for easy repairs and various case attachments.
The HMD Fusion X1 is one of the few new devices introduced by HMD at MWC 2025. Marketed as the first smartphone for teenagers, the HMD Fusion X1 comes from HMD’s The Better Phone Project. This product was developed in collaboration with Xplora, a company recognized for creating smartwatches designed for children.
Safety Features for Kids
After conducting a survey with 25,000 parents and children in Australia, India, the UAE, the UK, and the US, HMD made the decision to design a series of smartphones aimed at children, incorporating safety features. The survey highlighted that many kids experienced harassment, bullying, or unwanted contact from strangers, emphasizing the necessity for phones that can safeguard children both online and offline.
Custom Software and Pricing
The HMD Fusion X1 marks the first smartphone in this new product line; however, it is essentially a modified version of the HMD Fusion modular phone, which is currently available on Amazon for $299.99. The key distinction between the HMD Fusion X1 and the standard model is that the former includes a custom software that allows parents to oversee their child’s smartphone usage.
For a monthly fee of €4.99, parents can establish location alerts, approve apps, create screen time limits, and screen contacts. They will also have real-time access to their child’s whereabouts, with options to set safe zones for up to ten locations and receive notifications when their child enters or exits these zones. Moreover, parents can review the last three days of location history.
Additional Features for Both Parents and Kids
The HMD Fusion X1 also empowers parents to restrict or eliminate access to social media and includes a school mode to minimize distractions. Additional features encompass emergency SOS calling, low battery alerts, and remote access for parents.
For children, the device offers a contemporary yet secure smartphone experience. Kids can request additional screen time from their parents remotely. Additionally, since the phone is fundamentally the HMD Fusion, it boasts features like a 108MP rear camera and various case attachments, including the Fusion Gaming Outfit, Fusion Rugged Outfit, and Fusion Flashy Outfit, all of which easily connect to the back of the phone. The phone’s design also allows for straightforward repairs.
HMD has not yet revealed information regarding the pricing and availability of the HMD Fusion X1, but interested customers can register on the HMD website to receive updates as more information about the phone becomes available.
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