KIANEWS 
HMD Global today unveiled its latest smartphone, the HMD Fusion, an affordable device whose idea is to change functions and style with a shell. This is how the HMD Fusion will initially be distributed, but additional devices will be available later this year.
HMD Fusion X1 - Only smart, safe technology - a win for parents and kids
02. 03. 2025 Sunday / By: Robert Denes / Reviews / Exact time: BST / Print this page
I ntroducing the HMD X1, a smartphone designed in collaboration with Xplora to deliver the best of both worlds, said HMD Global. The X1 delivers all the features kids expect from a premium-looking smartphone, while giving parents built-in, OS-level parental controls for a safe and age-appropriate digital experience. Unlike traditional "kid-friendly" phones, which often feel restrictive or childish, the X1 fits seamlessly into the smartphone landscape, so teens actually want to use it - without parents having to compromise on security.
In July 2024, HMD announced The Better Phone Project. A solution to address the impact of smartphone use on the well-being of children and young people around the world. While the phone is still in development, following the latest development that tested XX children. In its first global survey of 10,000 parents, HMD found that 75% of them are concerned that smartphones expose their children to online dangers, while 65% are concerned about the impact of phone use on their child’s mental health. More than half of the parents surveyed regret giving their child a smartphone too early, but the demand for children continues to grow. Parents are struggling to find a solution that allows their child to connect with friends and explore the digital world in a way that feels natural - without opening the floodgates to online risks.
The HMD X1 is designed to meet this challenge by giving parents complete control over their child’s smartphone experience, while still offering a device that children can be excited about. The X1 has a customizable app and internet access, allowing parents to limit social media, browsing, and screen time. It also includes location tracking with safe zones, emergency call, low battery alerts, and remote device access for parents. The School Mode feature ensures that distractions are minimized during school hours by locking down specific apps and features when needed. All of these settings can be managed remotely via the Xplora app on parents’ own devices, allowing them to adjust controls in real time based on their child’s needs and environment.
Now, these safeguards may be selling, but the X1 is far from a “kids-only” phone, and it will go beyond even the most self-conscious and smartphone-hungry teens. With a 108MP AI-powered camera, users can capture high-quality photos of their favorite moments with friends. A 5000mAh battery provides all-day power, eliminating mid-day charging anxiety. Face and fingerprint unlock technology keeps your personal information safe, while IP54 splash resistance means the device is designed to handle everyday spills and rainy day adventures. The X1 also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, capitalizing on the Gen Z resurgence in wired headphones, which offer an affordable and easy-to-use alternative to wireless earbuds.
HMD has also incorporated the signature HMD Fusion modular design, allowing kids to personalize their device to suit their style and interests. Interchangeable "outfits" transform the phone's functionality, with options like the Gaming Outfit, which turns the X1 into a gaming console, the Flashy Outfit, which adds a built-in ring light for perfect selfies, and the Power Outfit, which provides extra battery life for longer use.
As the European market leader in child-safe devices, Xplora brings its extensive expertise in parental control technology to the HMD X1, ensuring that the device provides a balanced, safe and age-appropriate introduction to the digital world. The partnership between HMD and Xplora focuses on helping parents cultivate healthy technology habits by allowing children to make calls, text messages and navigate stay connected through ation while ensuring that their online interactions remain safe, controlled and managed by their parents.
"At HMD, we believe that children should not have to choose between security and the smartphone they love. Parents asked for a solution that balances protection and freedom, and the HMD X1 delivers exactly that. We worked closely with families in the Better Phone Project to gain insight into how we could create a device that looks and feels like a premium smartphone while providing the safety barriers parents need. This is a big step in redefining the first phone - one that gives children a safe start in the digital world without them feeling left out."
- Lars Silberbauer, Global Marketing Director at HMD, said
The launch of the HMD X1 is just the beginning. HMD is committed to developing a suite of devices that address the challenges families face. Working closely with parents and young people, they create solutions that are not only safe and practical, but also sustainable in the long term – ensuring that children have the right technology at the right time, without compromise.
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