Just want to share my experience after the update.

The current security update is now May 5, 2026.

TT9 is now integrated into the system as "keypad9", so if you've already installed TT9, your app will be replaced and all your settings will be reset.

Quick-access app shortcuts on the D-Pad are now disabled. This means the phone is now capable of long-pressing the D-pad for either games or navigating in the UI, but they seem to have simply removed the shortcut feature. There's no way to turn it back on if you found it handy in the first place.

A few things haven't changed: the built-in Music app still lacks looping options, and the Recorder app still stops after the phone screen is off.

Also, someone previously mentioned a small hiccup in the audio on the caller's side when answering a call. I'm starting to experience the same audio hiccup after the update. It clearly hasn't been fixed yet.

On a positive note, I feel like the standby time might be improved. It now drops less than 5 percent overnight, not completely sure though.

Overall, I still love this device. Let's hope the calling problem gets fixed soon!

Finally, a 6-inch ereader with EMR pen!

Pro version will be launching later this year

TL;DR: I've decided to stick with this device until official support ends (five years or more). Overall, this is one of the most satisfying dumbphones I've used so far, but it's definitely not for everyone.

Prerequisites

To fully utilize this phone, you MUST learn how to:

• Enroll as AOSP device into MDM (Microsoft Intune offers a 30-day trial; after that, you can switch to an M365 F1 subscription for $2.50/mo).
• Download APKs or App Bundles from the Aurora Store.
• Repackage App Bundles using Apktool M.
• Push Line-of-Business (LOB) apps using Microsoft Intune.

Recommended Out-of-the-Box Tweaks

I highly recommend doing these as soon as you get the phone:

• Replace the web browser (I recommend Via).
• Install TT9 (Keyboard/Input method).
• Install Open Camera (to replace the stock camera).
• Install Gboard and Speech Recognition & Synthesis (to enable Voice-to-Text).

Tested Apps

• CASIO WATCHES
• Waze (Google Maps)
• Spotify
• YT Music (ReVanced)
• YouTube (ReVanced) for podcast and stuff
• Messaging apps (Telegram / Signal / LINE / Messenger / Teams)
• Easy Wallet (I can top up my card using NFC)
• J2ME Loader (Jave games)
• GBox and GSpace both works if you really needs GMS apps

>⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE:
This phone runs on a 32-Bit OS, so make sure you are specifically looking for armeabi-v7a architecture APKs.

My User Experience & Review

Pros:

• Reliable background services: It doesn't aggressively kill apps. Telegram and Casio Watches stay running stably in the background, ensuring I never miss important notifications or call alerts.
• Built-in Microsoft Authenticator: Maintained directly by HMD and updates automatically.
• Solid connectivity: 4G calls and SMS are extremely reliable (Note: No RCS support).
• Excellent GPS: The GPS works great, and it comes fully equipped with a gyroscope and all the essentials.
• Great screen: Outdoor legibility and the auto-brightness feature are amazing.
• Hotspot: Wi-Fi hotspot sharing is stable and reliable.
• Battery Life: Roughly 0.7 days (heavy use) to 2.5 days (pure standby). This is a huge gap from the official 10-day claim, but honestly, it was expected.

Cons (Not dealbreakers for me, but might be for you):

• The boot startup sound cannot be turned off.
• The stock camera app drops frames during video recording.
• The speaker is loud but completely lacks bass.
• The keypad backlight cannot be set to stay on continuously.
• You cannot customize or disable the long-press shortcuts (D-Pad, 0, #).
• The stock Messaging app has no blacklist/block or chat mute features.
• The stock Voice Recorder cannot record while the screen is off (WTF).
• The stock Music app doesn't support "repeat single track" (WTF).
• No FM radio.
• No Front-facing Camera
• No fingerprint sensor

Final Note on Performance: The 2GB of RAM is very limited. Don't treat it like a full-fledged smartphone; just treat it as a dumbphone with extra abilities, and you'll be fine.

There, AMA!

Midnight + Heavy rain in green hell

OH BOY!

I love this thing so much it’s my favorite car now