The HMD Skyline is a new Android smartphone that takes a significant design cue from the iconic Nokia Lumia 920. Its squared-off corners and screen placement within the frame evoke the classic Lumia aesthetic. While there’s no hint of a Windows Phone revival, the Skyline runs on Android 14.
One of the standout features is Detox Mode, a tool designed to help users curb excessive phone usage. Detox Mode allows you to create a silent list, adding apps or even people to restrict notifications and interruptions for a set period. This mode can be activated manually or scheduled for specific times, and a widget provides direct control from the home screen.
HMD has also prioritized repairability over long-term software updates. The Skyline boasts a two-year major update cycle and three years of security updates. However, HMD believes that users prioritize easy repairs over extended software support. Repairing the phone is simplified, requiring only a spudger, a small screwdriver, and less than 10 minutes to replace a broken screen or battery. Replacement parts are available through iFixit for the next five years, and self-repair doesn’t void the warranty.
The Skyline’s camera system is impressive. It features a 108MP main camera on the rear, a 50MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, and a 13MP wide-angle camera. The front houses a 50MP camera with eye-tracking, 4K video recording, and gesture recognition. A dedicated camera button on the aluminum frame can be customized for various functions.
Other features include a 6.55-inch pOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7S Gen 2 processor, and a 4,600mAh battery. The HMD Skyline is available in two colors – Twisted Black and Neon Pink – with 8GB RAM/128GB storage priced at 399 British pounds or around $518, and a 12GB RAM/256GB storage model priced at 499 pounds/$648. Currently, the Skyline is available in the UK with a U.S. release date yet to be announced. If released in the U.S., the starting price is expected to be $499.
