HMD Launches HMD Fuse: A Smartphone for Online Child Safety

HMD Global has introduced the HMD Fuse, a new smartphone designed specifically to enhance online safety for children. This latest addition to their child-friendly smartphone range builds on the HMD Fusion X1, which was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in March 2025. The HMD Fuse aims to provide a secure digital environment for younger users through integrated safety features.

Innovative AI Protection with HarmBlock+

The key feature of the HMD Fuse is its HarmBlock+ system, developed in partnership with SafeToNet. Unlike traditional app-based safety measures, HarmBlock+ is embedded directly into the phone’s operating system, making it tamper-proof and ensuring that children cannot bypass its protections. HMD claims that this makes the HMD Fuse the world’s first smartphone capable of preventing children from both sending and receiving nude content.

Furthermore, the AI technology behind HarmBlock+ has been trained on over 22 million harmful images, providing robust protection against explicit content. This system not only blocks inappropriate images but also prevents children from saving or viewing such content, even during live streams.

Features Designed for Parental Control

The HMD Fuse begins as a basic phone, lacking social media access and an app store upon initial setup. Parents have the ability to customize the device to suit their child’s needs, including setting specific app access, daily usage limits, and screen-free time slots. The phone also includes features for real-time location tracking, location history, and alerts if a child exits pre-defined safe zones.

In addition, the device offers a contact whitelist, allowing parents to control who can communicate with their children via calls and messages. This gradual introduction of features enables the phone to evolve as the child grows.

In terms of hardware, the HMD Fuse is positioned as a mid-range smartphone, making it suitable as a first device. It features a 6.56-inch HD+ LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and is powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC. The phone comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, along with a 108MP primary camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 50MP selfie camera. A large 5,000mAh battery supports 33W fast charging to keep the device operational throughout the day.

Currently, the HMD Fuse is available exclusively in the UK through Vodafone and Three. Consumers can purchase the phone outright for £498 or opt for a monthly payment plan at £23 per month. While HMD has not provided details on potential availability in other markets, including the US, the launch represents a significant step forward in creating safer digital spaces for children.