HMD Key: Budget Smartphone with Great Features

The HMD Key is the newest entrant into the budget smartphone market, giving users a combination of affordability and essential features. The device is available in a few global markets, targeting people who want reliability without spending a fortune. With its 4G connectivity, Android 14 Go edition, and IP52-rated build, the HMD Key will appeal to the budget-conscious user.

Design and Display

The HMD Key has a 6.52-inch screen with a resolution of 576 x 1,280 pixels. This display offers a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of 460 nits; the quality produced should be decent for multimedia purposes and daily activities. It sports a fashionable look and overall sleek design due to a centered waterdrop notch on top that houses the selfie camera.

Available in two elegant colorways—Icy Blue and Midnight Black—the handset’s IP52 rating ensures protection against dust and light splashes, adding durability to its charm.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the HMD Key is powered by the Unisoc 9832E chipset, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. For those requiring more space, the device supports up to 128GB of expandable storage via a microSD card. Additionally, the inclusion of 2GB virtual RAM ensures smoother performance for everyday tasks.

It comes with Android 14 Go edition, which is a light version of the operating system meant for budget devices. This guarantees efficient performance, regular updates, and an intuitive user experience. Users are guaranteed two years of quarterly security updates, thus enhancing privacy and system reliability.

Camera Capabilities

The HMD Key has an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash. The rear camera has different imaging modes, such as:

Portrait Mode: This mode is for capturing subject-focused shots with a blurred background.
Night Mode: This enhances low-light photography.
Slow Motion: This is for creative video capturing.
Time Lapse and Panorama: Adds to its photography versatility.

On the front, a 5-megapixel selfie camera is tucked into the waterdrop notch, which will be good enough for video calls and casual selfies.

Battery and Charging

One of the key features of HMD Key is its 4,000mAh battery, promising enough power to last a whole day with moderate use. The device supports 10W wired charging via a USB Type-C port, thus recharging fast and convenient.

Connectivity and Additional Features

It boasts connectivity options, such as 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, AGPS, Galileo, and an FM radio. The good news is that it still keeps the classic 3.5mm audio jack to connect to nearly every headphone in your collection.

This phone weighs in at just 185.4g and is 166.4 x 76.9 x 8.95mm in size. It’s extremely light and well-handled.

Pricing and Availability

The HMD Key is a qualified product in the budget space, and its price is set at GBP 59, or around Rs. 6,300. Initially, it was only available in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the company has still not confirmed any other regional availability for it, including India.

Who should buy the HMD Key?

The HMD Key is best for those who require a straightforward, working smartphone to carry out day-to-day tasks. Its affordability, durability, and key features make it perfect for students, seniors, or people moving from a feature phone to a smartphone.

FAQs

1. What is the main feature of the HMD Key?

The HMD Key is different because it gives a balance between affordability and must-have smartphone functions such as running Android 14 Go edition, being IP52 rated, and offering a capable 8MP camera.

2. Can the HMD Key handle heavy gaming?

It is meant for light to moderate usage. It could probably run casual games, but the phone is not optimized for the most resource-hungry types of gaming.

3. Does the HMD Key have an expandable storage?

Yes, it does support expandable storage of up to 128GB via a microSD card.

4. Is HMD Key suitable for photography?

It is not as good as high-end smartphones, but it has good camera capabilities with many modes, such as Portrait and Night, making it suitable for casual photography.