HMD 105 4G School Edition Designed for Students With Parent Controls

HMD has introduced the 105 4G School Edition, a feature phone aimed specifically at school going children. The idea is straightforward. Parents can stay connected with their children through calls and messages without handing them a smartphone packed with apps, games and internet access.

Unlike regular smartphones, the new HMD phone keeps things deliberately simple. The company has removed several features that could potentially distract students during school hours or study time. For families looking for a basic communication device rather than a full smartphone, the approach could be useful.

One of the notable additions is a PIN protected parental control system. Parents can use it to disable features such as Bluetooth, MMS and the built in FM radio. The phone does not include a web browser, while entertainment is limited to the familiar Snake game. The recording function has also been removed.

The focus therefore remains on basic communication. Students can make calls and send messages, while parents get additional control over what functions remain available on the device.

The hardware is largely based on the standard HMD 105 4G. The phone comes with a 2.4 inch display offering a resolution of 240 by 320 pixels. It has 64MB of RAM and 128MB of internal storage. Storage can be expanded up to 32GB using a microSD card.

Connectivity is another important part of the device. The HMD 105 4G School Edition supports 2G, 3G and 4G networks and comes with Bluetooth 5.0. However, the Bluetooth function can be restricted through the parental control system when parents do not want it available.

The phone also includes a USB C charging port and a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. This allows users to connect wired headphones for calls and other supported audio functions.

Battery life is another area where the feature phone takes a practical approach. It has a removable 1450mAh battery, and HMD claims that the device can remain on standby for up to 15 days. The phone can store up to 2,000 contacts, which should be more than sufficient for most students.

The School Edition could appeal particularly to parents who want their children to have a way to contact family members without introducing the distractions that come with a smartphone. Its limited feature set is not a drawback here, but rather the main purpose of the device.

HMD has not yet revealed the full pricing details or confirmed all markets where the 105 4G School Edition will be sold. In India, the regular HMD 105 4G was launched in 2024 at a starting price of Rs 2,199.

The new School Edition reflects a growing interest in simpler phones for children. Instead of competing with smartphones on features, HMD is taking the opposite route by keeping the device basic and giving parents greater control over how it is used.