The HMD Skyline is a midrange phone that stands out with its repairable design, allowing users to easily replace parts like the screen and battery at home. This unique feature, paired with its striking Lumia-inspired design and decent camera performance, makes the Skyline an intriguing option. However, it suffers from some software issues and inconsistent camera performance, which might make some users hesitant.
The HMD Skyline, a new Android smartphone, draws inspiration from the classic Nokia Lumia 920 design. It features a Detox Mode for minimizing phone distractions, prioritizes repairability over long software updates, and boasts a powerful camera system with a 108MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 50MP front camera. Available in two storage configurations and colors, the Skyline is currently available in the UK.
HMD’s collaboration with fashion designer Sinead Gorey has resulted in the peculiar ‘Phonecore’ collection, featuring oversized smartphone-shaped sunglasses, a miniature 3D-printed ‘Mobile backpack,’ and a functional phone-carrying ‘Phonecore belt.’ While the designer claims the collection reflects the fusion of technology and fashion, the accessories seem impractical and unlikely to gain widespread adoption. The HMD Pulse Pro, the inspiration behind the accessories, is a budget-friendly Android phone with decent specs and unique features such as a 50-megapixel camera and gesture-activated selfies.
Irish fashion visionary Sinead Gorey has collaborated with HMD to launch ‘Phonecore,’ a unique collection that seamlessly intertwines technology and fashion. The collection features innovative accessories designed to complement smartphones, including ‘Screen Shades’ sunglasses with mobile phone-shaped lenses, a 3D-printed ‘Mobile Backpack’ perfectly sized for smartphones, and a ‘Phonecore Belt’ with a built-in phone pouch. With its distinctive normcore aesthetic and emphasis on smartphone integration, Phonecore is poised to elevate the convergence of tech and fashion.
HMD Global, previously known exclusively as a Nokia phone manufacturer, has launched its first smartphone lineup under its own brand name. The ‘Pulse’ series comprises three mid-range devices: Pulse, Pulse Plus, and Pulse Pro. Despite their similar specifications, the Pulse Pro stands out with its slightly superior features. All three models boast a 5,000mAh battery for extended battery life, a 6.65-inch HD Plus touchscreen, and a 50MP selfie camera with enhanced features for capturing clear and vibrant photos. The Pulse Pro features a Unisoc T606 processor, while the other two models share the same chipset. The camera systems vary among the models, with the Pulse Pro offering a dual-lens 50MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera. The Pulse Plus has a single 50MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera, while the standard Pulse has a 13MP rear camera. Notably, all three phones are repairable, with HMD partnering with iFixit to provide spare parts for cracked screens, damaged charging ports, and battery replacements.
HMD, formerly known as Nokia, has launched a new line of Pulse-branded smartphones aimed at the budget-conscious market. The lineup includes the HMD Pulse, Pulse+, Pulse Pro, and Vibe. All models feature similar aesthetics, with a range of vibrant color options. The HMD Vibe boasts a 6.56-inch display, Snapdragon 680 processor, and a surprisingly generous 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also runs on Android 14 and has a 13-megapixel rear camera. The HMD Pulse offers a more modest Unisoc T606 chipset and 4GB of RAM (with a 6GB option available), but compensates with a larger 5,000mAh battery. The HMD Pulse+ and Pulse Pro models further elevate the specs, with the Pulse+ featuring 8GB of RAM and a 50MP primary camera, while the Pulse Pro boasts a 50MP front camera and faster 20W charging. Despite their budget-friendly prices, all Pulse series devices are promised two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of quarterly security patches.
