In a world where the flagship smartphone is in the headlines with its Rs 1 lakh+ price tag and sometimes rising feature lists, HMD 130 does not even attempt to compete with music and makes its own niche. This music-centered feature phone takes us back at simple time-when the phones were mainly to listen to calls, texts and perhaps some casual music. But as we pass 2025, does such a device still have relevance? After carefully examining its strength and boundaries, I believe it provides a purpose completely – although not for every user.

Who is really HMD 130 music?

The first question that comes to mind is: Who will buy it in 2025? After all, even budget smartphones provide more functionality at relatively affordable price points. But this thing is missing. HMD 130 music is not trying to become a smartphone. Instead, it acts to some very specific audiences.

I think, for older users who find touchscreen misleading, this phone offers large buttons, a straight menu and an unnecessary app. For those who require just a reliable backup phone, its double-sim support and claimed battery life makes it a practical option. And for music lovers who want a dedicated device, touch playback buttons and loudspeakers are a refreshing change from tapping on a touchscreen.

Where HMD 130 music shines

HMD 130 makes special that it cannot do compared to the smartphone – it is what it does better. For example, take a battery life. While most smartphones struggle to last for the whole day, HMD 130 music can go for days on the same charge. The company claims that the phone can deliver music playback up to 50 hours and a maximum of 36 days standby time. This can also not match some premium phone.

Then there is the experience of music. With dedicated play/poses and track-ckip buttons, it seems that using an old-school mp3 player-no feeding with the control control. The 2W speaker, while not the audiofile-grade, is surprisingly and clear to a device at this price. And with Bluetooth 5.0, you can easily add wireless headphones if you want.

Here’s something that you cannot expect from feature phone: Support for UPI payment. In markets like India, where digital transactions have become very common, it is a game-changer. HMD 130 music allows users to make safe payments without the need for smartphones – small businesses, old adults, or whoever likes a simple tool, is perfect for, but still wants to be connected to modern banking. Of course, you will not find the entire app of smartphone ecosystem, but being UPI support means that this phone is not completely cut from today’s digital economy.

Trade-off: what are you not getting

Of course, it is not a phone for all. If you are used for WhatsApp, YouTube, or mobile banking, you will get HMD 130 music severely limited. There is no app store, no high-raise camera, and there is no modern suit like voice assistant. The 1.8-inch display is functional but smaller than today’s standards, and 32GB storage cap (via microSD) feels restrictive if you are used for streaming.

But then, this is not the case. This phone exists for those who do not want features – either because they find them unnecessary or because they actively prefer a simple tool.

My point is – HMD 130 music will not change your smartphone, and it is not trying. Instead, it fills a difference that most manufacturers have ignored: a well-built, inexpensive, music-friendly feature phone for those that require (or want) a touchscreen complication (or want) are not required.

In an era where budget smartphones also push more for more apps, more features and more distractions, HMD deserves credits to identify that sometimes, sometimes, less is really more. If you are after a secondary phone, a tool for an old relative, or just a music player who will not die in half the way during the day, HMD 130 music still matters a lot in 2025.