Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
TL;DR
- HMD has unveiled a new pair of wireless earbuds with a unique charging case that doubles up as a battery bank.
- The HMD Amped Buds also offer premium features like ANC, EQ controls, and environmental noise cancelation.
- HMD has also debuted the Fusion X1, a new smartphone for kids, at MWC.
Finnish smartphone maker HMD took to the stage at MWC today to announce a new pair of wireless earbuds called the HMD Amped Buds. The wireless earbuds have a unique design, promise a premium audio experience, and come with a surprisingly nifty feature that other manufacturers should copy.
Instead of a compact charging case like most other wireless earbuds, the HMD Amped Buds feature a sizeable rectangular charging case similar to a wireless battery bank. It houses the earbuds, which feature rather chunky stems and an in-ear design, on either side and features a USB-C port for charging.
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Besides its large size, this charging case is unique because it packs a substantial 1,600mAh battery and offers reverse wireless charging support. It magnetically attaches to the back of your phone like other Qi2 battery packs and has enough juice to top up your phone in an emergency.
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
The HMD Amped Buds also offer premium features like Active Noise Cancelation (ANC), an equalizer in the Android and iOS apps, Environmental Noise Cancellation for improved call quality, and a comfortable design with an articulating hinge that should offer a snug fit.
Along with the new earbuds, HMD debuted a new lineup of smartphones for teens in partnership with Xplora. The HMD Fusion X1 is the first model in the lineup. It comes with a €4.99 per month subscription to Xplora, which gives parents more control over how their kids access the internet and what apps they use.
The device also includes enhanced location tracking, emergency SOS calling, and remote device access for parents. It features decent specs, including a 108MP primary camera, a 5,000mAh battery, IP54 ingress protection, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The company has yet to reveal all the details, but it has released a customized variant of the phone, which comes with 11 FC Barcelona player signatures and the club’s logo on the back plate, custom wallpapers, and several easter eggs.
Lastly, HMD announced three dumbphones during its keynote. The HMD 130 and 150 Music are feature phones with a retro look, large speakers, long-lasting battery, Bluetooth, and microSD card support. The HMD 2660 Flip, on the other hand, is a retro flip feature phone with a 2.8-inch display.
HMD has not shared the price and availability information for any of the new devices, and we’re still waiting on the complete specifications. We’ll update this post as soon as we have more details.
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