HMD Global just dropped four new Nokia feature phones—the 200 4G, 210 4G, 215 4G, and 235 4G—and the biggest surprise isn't the USB-C port. It's the dedicated AI button.
Yes, a sub-$30 dumb phone with artificial intelligence. Press the key on the D-pad, and you wake Sikey AI. You can dictate texts, set alarms, turn on the flashlight, or ask trivia—all without a touchscreen. The catch? The AI is only free for the first 180 days. After that, you need a subscription, which you ironically have to purchase using a smartphone.
Hardware-wise, HMD kept it practical. The 200 and 210 sport 2.4-inch QVGA displays, while the 215 and 235 bump up to 2.8-inch IPS screens. All pack a 1,450mAh removable battery, run on S30+, support Bluetooth 5.0, and finally swap micro-USB for USB-C. Only the 235 gets a rear camera (2MP).
The 200 and 210 sold out in pre-orders within hours, forcing factories to run extra shifts. Who buys these? Three groups: seniors needing simplicity, parents wanting a child-safe tracker (via the built-in HMD mini-program with location sharing), and Gen Z-ers looking for a weekend digital detox phone.
Critics call them overpriced for obsolete specs—no Wi-Fi, clunky T9 typing, and grainy cameras. But they miss the point. HMD isn't selling performance. They are selling reliability and simplicity with a modern twist. Not everyone wants a flagship; most people just want a phone that lasts four days on a charge and works when you need it.
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