HMD have packed a heap into their latest smartphone which could tick more than enough boxes to impress likely buyers. A great camera. Repairability. Digital Detox.
Those three things would have to be at the core of the HMD Skyline and we’ve been using it for a bit – it’s certainly impressive. A full review to come next week!
Aussie boss of HMD Brenden Folitarik says “The HMD Skyline empowers the humans behind the phone, with an impressive triple camera to capture memories, a unique digital detox mode to encourage people to live in the moment and fix-it-yourself repairability that has never been easier. It’s all about creating a fashionable way to have a healthy relationship with your smartphone.”
While the HMD Skyline goes on sale next week – launching in a software update on the device in September will be a key feature – Digital Detox. This will allow users to set their phone into a mode which prevents you using the device for more than just the basics, a real barrier to your minds decision not to take a break. It sounds simple, and other phones have similar concepts, it does seem HMD has gone a few steps further – we’ll wait and see how it plays out.
From a smartphone showdown perspective, there’s not much lacking here – particularly from the cameras.
Now we can tell from all the supplied photography HMD is targeting a younger female audience. This is backed by the solid 50MP selfie camera with new gesture control shutter. So a few hand gestures are all you need to trigger that photo, a nice lesson learned from a rarely used feature of Samsung smartphones if we’re honest.
The main cameras too are super impressive, a hybid 108 MP camera with 4x zoom, ultra wide and stabilisation means great shots in all environments.
An impressive battery should last up to 48 hours and for the first time, we have an Android device supporting the new wireless charging standard with Magnetic attachment – Qi2! Something for which we already have accessories to buy!
Most critical to the HMD Skyline and the overall HMD philosophy is the repairability of the HMD Skyline.
Designed to not just meet the 2027 European Union Legislation for repairability of consumer electronics, this is a demonstration of just how possible that is without a strong deviation from the current Smartphone form factor.
A single screw in the base of the device is all you need to really “unlock” the frame and then release the screen underneath its just another series of coloured screws to then release the battery. You can even replace the charging port or the back cover. All by yourself with a kit and instructions from iFixIt.
The HMD Skyline has a cracking great price of $899 and is available from August 28 at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks (online only), Amazon (online only) and Big W (online only).