HMD Fuse: the first smartphone for kids that helps block nudity
With child safety a top concern in Australia and worldwide, HMD has launched the HMD Fuse smartphone to help ease parents' worries about sexually explicit content.
The timing of this first-of-its-kind smartphone from HMD is interesting, especially with Australia's social media ban for under-16s just months away.
The device was designed with kids front and centre. At its simplest, it can work like a brick phone or a dumb phone - allowing only calls and texts.
Parents can then add apps as they see fit, even one at a time, using the control app. You can introduce social media platforms like TikTok or stick to educational apps to help teach your kid budgeting.
But where it really tries to sell itself is through the AI-powered HarmBlock+ software subscription, which actively blocks sexually explicit content.
How does HMD Fuse block nudes?
When you activate HarmBlock+, it'll prevent videos and images from showing nude content, including on WhatsApp, where it'll delete the image from the phone.
The AI has been trained with over 22 million images, and the software system can't be bypassed in any way.
For example, if your kid is trying to search for nudes and tries to click on an image, it'll pop for just a second before a screen shows up displaying it's been blocked.
Parents won't be notified or have a way of knowing when this is happening. According to HMD, they want to maintain some form of privacy for the kid while keeping them safe.
The tech company also said its roadmap for the future includes screening for violent content, which it hopes to launch sometime next year.
How does the parental controls app work?
Here's what you can do:
- Approve or block apps
- Set daily usage limits for each app
- Schedule screen-free times when your kid's studying or it's their bedtime
- Access live tracking with location history and safe zone alerts. For example, if your kid leaves school and is walking back home, you will be notified and then can keep track of their whereabouts until they're safely back home
- Whitelist trusted contacts to limit who can call or message your child
"We believe this will be the most impactful smartphone launch of the year. We've created not just a new phone, but a new category, one that recognises children's evolving needs, and puts safety at the heart of the experience from day one," said James Robinson, vice president, HMD Family.
How much does HMD Fuse cost in Australia?
The phone retails for $799, and out of the box, you'll also get a 12-month subscription to HarmBlock+.
After a full year, the subscription will be priced at $26.95 a month.
You can buy it from Harvey Norman or Officeworks from 28 August 2025.
Here's a look at the specs you get on the phone:
- Display: 6.56-inch, 720+ resolution, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB, expandable
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear Camera: 108MP main + 2MP depth lens
- Front Camera: 50MP selfie
These specs are on par for a sub-$500 phone at best.
According to HMD, you'll get 2 years of operating system upgrades and 3 years of security updates. This feels quite low for the asking price and the fact that the smartphone is designed to 'grow with your kid'.
For comparison, the Google Pixel 9a, which costs just a bit more at $849, gets 7 years of operating system and security updates.
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