The specs for HMD’s new budget smartphone, the Bold, have leaked — and they suggest this ultra-affordable device might just punch above its price tag.
HMD Global looks set to roll out another entry-level Android phone in India, and this one’s even cheaper than the current low-cost king, the HMD Crest. Leaked online just months before its rumored release, the upcoming HMD Bold is shaping up as a bare-bones 4G device with surprisingly decent specs — if you’re not too fussy about bells and whistles.
With Indian consumers already spoilt for choice in the sub-₹10,000 range, the Bold will have to do more than just look good on paper. But the early leaks suggest HMD might just be aiming for something very specific: a phone that doesn’t try to impress — just tries to work.
A Familiar Face, But Even Friendlier on the Wallet
The HMD Crest is currently the cheapest device the company sells in India. But that title is likely to change soon.
The Bold is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year. Priced at just ₹7,999 for the base model (roughly $94), it could be HMD’s new go-to phone for budget-conscious users. A higher variant with 6GB RAM and 256GB of storage is also reportedly on the cards, priced at ₹9,999.
Yes, that’s a 256GB phone for under ₹10K.
And it’s not just the pricing that’s drawing attention. According to a leak by X user @smashx_60, HMD is planning to offer the Bold in two colors — Blue and Brown — and has managed to squeeze in a few modern features, despite cost-cutting elsewhere.
What’s Under the Hood Isn’t Fancy, But It’s Fair
Let’s be honest — the Bold isn’t aiming for wow. It’s built to cover the basics, and maybe a bit more if you squint.
You’re looking at a Unisoc T7200 chipset, a 12nm octa-core processor that blends two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores — all clocked at a modest 1.6GHz. Graphics will be handled by the Mali G57 GPU, ticking away at 650MHz.
That’s not going to win any benchmark battles, but it might be just enough for light tasks, basic apps, and a few rounds of Subway Surfers or Candy Crush.
One line that stands out from the leak: the Bold will feature a 6.74-inch IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. That 90Hz refresh rate, though still a marketing buzzword in 2025, is actually rare to see in phones this cheap.
Cameras: One Main, One Backup, and One Selfie
For anyone hoping for photography fireworks, well — temper those expectations.
Here’s what you’ll get:
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A 50MP main camera on the back
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A 0.8MP secondary rear camera (we’re guessing for depth or just for show)
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An 8MP front-facing camera for selfies
That secondary camera almost seems unnecessary, to be honest. At 0.8MP, it may contribute more to the spec sheet than actual performance. But the 50MP main sensor could surprise, especially under daylight.
Even so, don’t expect much in low-light. Or video. Or anything beyond social media-ready shots.
Battery Life Will Likely Be a Bright Spot
One area HMD’s been consistent with in its budget lineup is battery.
The Bold comes with a 5,000mAh battery and supports 20W fast charging. Given the less power-hungry chip and modest screen resolution, it’s fair to expect that this phone could easily last a full day and then some.
In a market where “battery anxiety” is still very real — especially in rural areas with patchy electricity — that alone could make the Bold worth buying.
Here’s a quick look at how the HMD Bold stacks up on paper:
| Spec | HMD Bold |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.74″ IPS LCD, HD+, 90Hz |
| Processor | Unisoc T7200 (12nm, 1.6GHz) |
| RAM/Storage Options | 4GB+128GB / 6GB+256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 0.8MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh with 20W charging |
| Price (India) | ₹7,999 / ₹9,999 |
| Colors | Blue, Brown |
| OS | Android (version not confirmed) |
Competition Is Fierce — and Already Cheaper
While ₹7,999 might sound like a deal, HMD is stepping into a crowded ring.
Phones like the Redmi A5 4G are already selling below ₹7,500 on Amazon India. Realme, Infinix, and Lava also have solid offerings under ₹10,000 — many of them with comparable specs, better software optimization, or even longer Android support promises.
That’s not to say the Bold is irrelevant. Far from it. HMD’s brand name and clean software experience could still sway buyers who’ve been burned by ad-riddled UIs elsewhere.
Will It Run Stock Android? That Might Be the Dealbreaker
One thing we still don’t know for sure: what version of Android the Bold will run, and whether it’ll offer a stock experience.
HMD’s past budget phones usually ship with Android Go or stock Android builds. If the Bold sticks with that approach — and skips the bloat — it could offer smoother performance despite the underwhelming chipset.
But if HMD decides to slap on unnecessary extras? That could hurt its chances.
At the moment, no official word has come from HMD Global. But given the leaks and previous patterns, a formal reveal could land by September, right before the festive season shopping rush kicks in.
