HMD has quietly launched the 106 Pure in Pakistan. The basic feature phone combines a compact 1.8 inch display with a removable 1000mAh battery for standard voice calling. It is currently available locally for 3250 Pakistani Rupees.
This device is built strictly for calls and text messages over 2G networks. The phone runs on a Unisoc 6531E processor paired with the classic S30+ operating system. You can pick between Dark Grey and Cyan colors. The screen is a 1.8 inch QQVGA panel with a resolution of 120 by 160 pixels. It is about as basic as modern hardware gets.
Even at this price point, HMD included a few multimedia extras. You get a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and an FM radio for local broadcasts. Storage can be expanded up to 32GB using a microSD card slot. There is also a basic rear camera that snaps pictures at 320 by 240 pixels. It will not replace your smartphone camera, but it works in a pinch.
Power comes from a 1000mAh removable battery pack. You can easily swap it out when it runs flat. Product renders also show what looks like a modern USB C port on the bottom edge. That is a welcome upgrade from outdated micro USB plugs on entry level devices. The local price converts to roughly 12 US dollars, making it an ultra cheap backup phone for voice calls.
