HMD has officially introduced the Nokia 123 Shield, a new feature phone aimed at users who want a simple, durable device for everyday calls and texts. It’s the company’s most affordable feature phone with water and dust resistance, making it a practical option for outdoor workers or anyone looking for a reliable backup phone.
The Nokia 123 Shield keeps things simple with a textured plastic body for a better grip. To help keep out water, sand, and dust, HMD placed a rubber cover over the bottom ports. Under the flap are a USB Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, giving the phone modern connectivity while maintaining its classic design.
Inside, the phone is powered by the Unisoc SC6531E chipset and runs the S30+ operating system. It comes with 4MB of RAM and 4MB of internal storage, enough for basic feature phone functions. Users who want to store music or other files can add a microSD card of up to 32GB.
Up front is a 2.4-inch QVGA display, while the back houses a basic QVGA camera with an LED flash for simple snapshots.
Battery life remains one of the Nokia 123 Shield’s biggest strengths. It packs a removable 1,750mAh battery, which HMD says can deliver up to 27.9 hours of talk time or up to 19 days on standby, making it ideal for users who don’t want to charge their phone every day.
The phone also includes a few handy extras. Its FM radio works with or without wired headphones, so users can listen even without plugging in a headset. HMD has also equipped it with a built-in flashlight, which the company says is brighter than the one found on the older Nokia 110.
For connectivity, the Nokia 123 Shield supports 2G GSM (900/1800MHz) networks and uses a dual Mini SIM setup. HMD says the phone is optimized to maintain a strong signal for clearer voice calls. However, buyers should keep in mind that 2G networks are being phased out in many countries, which may affect long-term compatibility depending on the region.
The Nokia 123 Shield weighs 108g and comes in Green and Purple color options.
Price and availability
HMD has not yet announced official global pricing. However, the Nokia 123 Shield has already appeared in retail listings in Bulgaria and Greece, where it is priced between €35 and €40.
Availability in other markets has yet to be announced.