HMD

Leak reveals innovative feature phone with touchpad

HMD Global appears to be developing a brand-new feature phone that is not only expected to offer a modern design but, above all, an innovative keypad that can be transformed into a touchpad to simplify the use of certain apps.

With phones like the Nokia 110 4G, HMD Global has been offering feature phones with a classic design for years – devices that are particularly popular as secondary phones without distracting social media apps. The leaker @smashx_60, who has frequently revealed accurate information in advance about unreleased HMD Global products over the past few years, has now published the first images of a next-generation HMD feature phone.

The device stands out not least for its heavily rounded body. The right side features a power button and a volume rocker. On the back, there is a single camera and an LED flash. Pogo pins should allow the device to be charged on a wireless charging station. The front features an almost square display, which is relatively large by feature phone standards. Below the screen is a keypad with a T9 layout.

The standout feature of this model is that this keypad can be transformed into a touchpad when needed, though the leaker is not yet certain whether HMD Global will use a flip-out or removable cover for this purpose. This touchpad should make scrolling through long texts and web pages much more comfortable, since it prevents a finger from covering the already quite small touchscreen. So far, it is not known when or at what price this feature phone will be released, and the model name has not yet been announced.

The most intriguing feature is a touch-enabled flip cover, which would transform the device into a hybrid model. The concept envisions a phone that is simple for daily use yet offers access to cloud services and browser-based apps via an RTOS Touch platform.

The released sketches show a phone with soft lines that strongly resemble historic BlackBerry models designed for users who preferred physical keys. The front houses a landscape-oriented display paired with a T9 numeric keypad—a configuration that prioritizes the convenience of calling and texting over traditional smartphone functions.

Rounded design with clear echoes of old BlackBerry phones.

Landscape-oriented screen rather than the classic vertical panel.

Physical T9 keypad for typing and quick commands.

The detail that truly sets this HMD device apart is the potential inclusion of a touch-enabled flip cover. Essentially, the phone would combine the immediacy of a feature phone with more modern interaction, creating a hybrid format that offers some advanced functions without becoming a full-fledged smartphone.

The flip section of the device is expected to support touch controls.

It is slated to run on RTOS Touch, a lightweight platform designed for basic usage.

Applications could be delivered via a cloud-phone service providing access to browser-based tools.

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