• Source:JND
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MWC 2024: Human Mobile Devices has announced plans to introduce a host of smartphones in the coming months at the Mobile World Congress 2024. The company noted that the phones would be "affordable, beautiful, desirable, and repairable" and would be manufactured alongside Nokia phones.

Among the key highlights of the portfolio will undoubtedly be the Barbie Flip Phone that will debut this summer. HMD has partnered with global toy company Mattel for this purpose. It will be a "retro feature phone" for digital detox and nostalgia. While this may interest some, this might end up being a limitation due to the rise of clamshell foldable smartphones.

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It would not take on the trend of flip phones in the smartphone market, which is witnessing competition from players such as Motorola, Samsung, OPPO and more. Hence, this will not interest the category of users who wish to get a phone for usability as a primary device with capabilities to run diverse apps and more.

The company has not revealed the features, pricing and other details about the phone yet. "The Barbie Flip Phone will arrive this summer 2024. Promising style, nostalgia and a much-needed digital detox, this retro feature phone will flip the script on smartphone culture and will be this summer's hottest accessory," it added.

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"We are very excited to announce the new HMD multi brand strategy which opens infinite colab possibilities. Our global association with Mattel to launch a Barbie co-branded device is a prime example. HMD will have 'easy repairability' and 'sustainability' as part of its brand promise always. We are confident about a strong smart 5G portfolio for India and other markets which we will announce very soon," said Ravi Kunwar, Vice President - India and APAC at HMD.

Plus, the maker emphasised the 'Fix it Yourself (FIY)' movement to repair the shattered screen of HMD-manufactured devices in future. The company could also introduce an entry-level device in the summer as it has promised a smartphone launch to make "technology more accessible".

HMD will reportedly introduce three smartphones this year. (Image:HMD)

Moreover, HMD promised a comeback of a Nokia phone later this year. According to a 91Mobiles report, the manufacturer will introduce three smartphones between May (one) and July (two) 2024. Based on the information in the release, these devices will likely sit in the mid-range category. No details of the devices are currently live.