Highlights
- HMD Fuse is the world’s first phone with on-device AI (HarmBlock+) that blocks nude content across all apps, camera and livestreams.
- It offers app management, location tracking, contact whitelisting, and a flexible setup that evolves with the child’s age and needs.
- Other features – 6.56″ HD+ display, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, 108MP rear camera, 5G, and 5,000mAh battery.
- Launched in the UK via Vodafone at £33/month.
HMD Global has unveiled the HMD Fuse, its latest smartphone designed specifically for children. According to the company, it is the world’s first phone that can stop children from filming or sending nude content. It also prevents user from viewing or saving nude or sexual images even during livestreams through HarmBlock+ with HarmBlock AI from SafeToNet.
The device aims to address growing concerns among parents about online safety, especially as issues like cyberbullying and harmful digital exposure continue to rise.
The development of the HMD Fuse was guided by “The Better Phone Project,” an HMD initiative that gathered feedback from over 37,000 parents and children. Insights showed demand for a smartphone that could strike a balance between safety and functionality, as many existing solutions were either too restrictive or too vulnerable to online risks.
“This is more than a product,” said James Robinson, vice president of HMD Family. “It’s a safety net, a statement of intent and a response.”
HMD Fuse – Pricing and Availability
The HMD Fuse is available in a single Noir colour option. It has launched in the UK exclusively through Vodafone UK, priced at £33 per month (with an upfront cost of £30).
The smartphone will be available both in Vodafone retail stores and online via vodafone.co.uk/family.
HMD Fuse – Core Technology and Features
At the heart of the HMD Fuse is HarmBlock+, an AI-powered safety system built directly into the phone’s operating system, making it tamper-proof and impossible for users to bypass.
Key highlights of HarmBlock+ include –
- On-Device AI -The HarmBlock AI works locally on the phone, operating offline across all apps, camera functions, websites, and messages.
- Privacy-Focused – Since all processing happens on-device, no photos, videos, or browsing history are shared externally.
- Content Blocking – Trained on over 22 million images, the AI automatically detects and blocks nude content, stopping it from being captured, displayed, or transmitted.
“HarmBlock Plus can’t be removed, tricked, or worked around,” said SafeToNet founder Richard Pursey. “It doesn’t collect personal data. It just protects every time, across every app, including VPNs, with zero loopholes.”
Parental Controls and Adaptable Design
The HMD Fuse also features an extensive parental control system that allows for:
- App Management – Parents can approve or block apps, set daily usage limits, and schedule screen-free times (e.g., bedtime or study hours).
- Location Tracking – Includes real-time tracking, location history, and safe-zone alerts.
- Communication Safety – Parents can whitelist approved contacts for calls and messages.
The phone is designed to grow with the child. Parents can initially configure it as a simple phone limited to calls, texts, and location tracking, then gradually enable more features, like music apps, controlled web access, and messaging as the child matures.
In terms of design, the HMD Fuse shares specifications with the HMD Fusion and comes with two interchangeable “outfits,” one of which features a foldable LED light ring around the camera for selfies.
HMD Fuse – Key Specifications
- 56-inch HD+ LCD (720 × 1612 pixels), 90Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits peak brightness
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 4nm Mobile Platform (Octa-Core: 2×A78 @ 2.2GHz + 6×A55 @ 2GHz) with Adreno 613 GPU
- 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, 128GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD)
- Dual SIM (nano + eSIM)
- Android 15
- Rear Cameras: 108MP primary with EIS + 2MP portrait, LED flash
- Front Camera: 50MP
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- IP54 dust and water resistance
- 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, USB Type-C
- 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging (charger not included)
- Dimensions: 164.15 × 75.5 × 8.32mm; Weight: 202.5g
FAQs
Q1. What is the HMD Fuse and who is it designed for?
Answer. The HMD Fuse is a smartphone developed by HMD Global specifically for children, with built-in safety features to prevent exposure to inappropriate content.
Q2. How does the HarmBlock+ AI system work on the HMD Fuse?
Answer. HarmBlock+ is an on-device AI that operates offline across all apps, camera functions, and messages to detect and block nude or sexual content. It’s tamper-proof and ensures privacy by keeping all data processing local to the device.
Q3. What parental controls are available on the HMD Fuse?
Answer. Parents can manage apps, set daily usage limits, schedule screen-free times, track location in real time, view location history, and whitelist approved contacts for calls and messages.
Q4. Where and how can I buy the HMD Fuse?
Answer. The HMD Fuse is available in the UK exclusively through Vodafone UK, priced at £33 per month with a £30 upfront cost. It can be purchased in Vodafone retail stores or online at vodafone.co.uk/family.
Q5. What are the key specifications of the HMD Fuse?
Answer. It features a 6.56-inch HD+ display, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, 108MP rear camera, 50MP front camera, 5G connectivity, Android 15, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. It also includes IP54 dust and water resistance and dual SIM support.
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