# HMD Touch 4G

8 Hacker News commenters recommended HMD Touch 4G and 15 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** A small dumbphone that makes normal calls and works as a Wi-Fi hotspot, recommended as a cheap basic phone. Critics say it lacks 5G, WhatsApp and a good camera, and it is sold only in India.

## Why people recommend it

- Simple calling with Wi-Fi hotspot (2 comments): "It's a nice attempt. Dumbphone, with 2 MP camera and wifi hotspot. Sadly they shoot themselves in the foot by only offering it in india." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48976942)) "Small, simple and useful wifi hotspot device with actual ability to call like normal phone." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48976381))
- Low price for what it does (2 comments): "Not supporting 5G limits this devices longevity, although at the price point and Indian market focus, I think its acceptable." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48972365)) "Amazed they can get the price that low." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48974131))

## What people warn about

- Weak camera quality (2 comments): "the camera quality is not very good enough" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48974929)) "the camera is the one place they always cut very hard" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48975161))
- No 5G, weak 4G coverage (2 comments): "Not supporting 5G limits this devices longevity, although at the price point and Indian market focus, I think its acceptable." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48972365)) "Good luck having no tower reception. 4G barely works anymore." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48970112))
- Not cheaper than Android rivals (3 comments): "It's also not that cheaper compared to "proper" smartphone from other brands in that area." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48973283)) "This doesn't seem very competitive: it's priced at ₹4,199 (€38,08) on HMDs store." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48976103)) "I don't think it can compete with cheap android phones." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48970453))
- Locked software, no WhatsApp (5 comments): "just a chat app targeting the same phone users and the ones willing to install the app in other phone brands" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48970475)) "HMD is working hard to make sure you have no say what software is running on your smartphone." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48970064)) "Perhaps the limitation to whatever express chat is isn’t a dealbreaker in India." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48970136))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Minimal Phone 2](https://hackerapproved.com/p/minimal-phone-2.md): 34 recommend
- [Commodore Flip Phone](https://hackerapproved.com/p/commodore-flip-phone.md): 31 recommend
- [Nokia phones](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nokia-phones.md): 29 recommend
- [Commodore Digital Detox Phone](https://hackerapproved.com/p/commodore-digital-detox-phone.md): 14 recommend
- [Mudita Kompakt](https://hackerapproved.com/p/mudita-kompakt.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=HMD+Touch+4G+phone&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://www.hmd.com/en_int?root=true)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "HMD Touch 4G", https://hackerapproved.com/p/hmd-touch-4g/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).