HMD is reportedly preparing a new feature phone that appears to borrow heavily from the classic BlackBerry formula. The leaked render shows a compact body, rounded corners, and a physical keypad layout that immediately sets it apart from modern smartphones.
The device surfaced after the gadget leaker smashx_60 shared images of the design. From the rendering, the phone looks like a nostalgic throwback, but with a few modern touches that suggest HMD is not simply recreating an old format.
BlackBerry-style design with a T9 keypad
The most striking detail is the silhouette. The phone has a small body with rounded edges on all four sides, creating a look that is closely associated with classic BlackBerry devices.
Unlike BlackBerry’s older Qwerty models, HMD’s feature phone is shown with a physical T9 keypad. That choice keeps the handset firmly in feature-phone territory while still preserving a familiar tactile input style.
| Design Element | What the Leak Shows |
|---|---|
| Body | Compact size with rounded corners |
| Keyboard | Physical T9 keypad |
| Form factor | Possible clamshell flip design |
| Modern input | Touchscreen support on the flip cover |
The leak also suggests a clamshell flip design, which gives the handset a more contemporary feel. The outer section is said to support touchscreen operation, adding a layer of flexibility that is uncommon in traditional feature phones.
RTOS Touch and cloud-based services
According to the details circulating around the device, HMD’s upcoming feature phone is expected to run RTOS Touch. That operating system supports cloud phone services and allows access to several browser-based applications.
The reported app set includes HMD Express Chat, news reading, weather information, and video streaming. With RTOS Touch, HMD appears to be aiming for a simple device that still offers selected modern functions without moving to full Android.
| Software | Reported Capability | Example Services |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS Touch | Cloud phone support | Browser-based apps |
| RTOS Touch | Lightweight experience | HMD Express Chat, news, weather, video streaming |
The platform is also associated with efficient power use and a simpler experience with fewer distractions. As a comparison point, the HMD Touch 4G launched last year and was claimed to last up to 2.5 days with a removable 1,950 mAh battery.
No official announcement yet
HMD has not disclosed the model number, full specifications, battery capacity, pricing, or launch schedule for the device. For now, the leak remains the only source of visual detail, and it fits with the company’s broader direction for feature phones.
At Mobile World Congress in early 2026, HMD said it wanted to bring back feature phones with better connectivity, AI assistant support, and accessibility features. The newly surfaced design may be one of the devices intended to put that plan into practice, as reported by tekno.kompas.com from Gizmochina.
If the render proves accurate, HMD is not just revisiting a familiar format. It is trying to make a compact, physical-key device feel relevant again by mixing nostalgia, touchscreen input, and cloud-based services in one package.
