The HMD Key is the most affordable big brand smartphone I've found.
Incredible, it also has a headphone jack!
HMD has introduced its new Key smartphone at an affordable price of £59, equivalent to approximately $75 or AU$120. This device will initially launch in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, although there is currently no information about a possible release in the United States.
The HMD Key, which likely has the lowest price for a smartphone from a recognized brand, is designed to provide an affordable option for accessing basic smartphone apps and services. However, its low cost means clear limitations in specifications. It is considered one of the least powerful phones on the market, even compared to other budget devices.
The phone features a 6.52-inch display with a maximum brightness of 460 nits and a refresh rate of 60Hz. With a resolution of only 576 x 1280, pixels are likely to be visible at typical viewing distances. Inside, it incorporates a Unisoc 9832E chipset, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage, along with a microSD card slot supporting up to 128GB. Its 4,000mAh battery is notable for its price, although it only allows for a slow 10W charge; HMD claims that battery life can reach up to 47 hours.
In terms of cameras, it has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, with various modes for photos and videos like portrait mode, night mode, and slow-motion recording. While it could be considered an entry-level Android phone, it actually runs on the Android 14 Go operating system, which is a streamlined version of the system. HMD has promised security updates for two years, but there will be no operating system updates, which could be reasonable given the hardware's limited capacity.
Additionally, the device has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it is protected against moderately fine dust and water splashes. Despite its limitations, it is encouraging to see a smartphone that allows access to popular apps like WhatsApp and YouTube available at this price, making the HMD Key a valuable option for those seeking a low-cost device from a reliable brand.
It is worth noting that while the Key is one of the least powerful phones in the current market, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly rare even in high-end devices. HMD has stood out in recent years for offering affordable smartphone hardware, such as its modular Fusion phone and the repairable flagship Skyline. With the Key, the company continues this philosophy, keeping the price as low as possible.
