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| HMD SKYLINE Review |
HMD Worldwide, the Finnish company that took control of the Nokia brand in 2016, is launching a new mobile phone in its image: the HMD Horizon. This mid-range model stands out for its design reminiscent of the old Nokia Lumia and its concept focused on repairability. Announced for delivery in July 2024, the HMD SKYLINE is now causing legitimate concern among observers of the mobile phone market.
The HMD SKYLINE sports a square design that is reminiscent of the famous Nokia Lumia, which became famous in the mid-2010s. But one of the brand's main arguments is the repairability that is at the heart of its concept. Indeed, HMD Worldwide has partnered with iFixit, a company that is gaining experience in the maintenance of electronic devices, to provide tools, guides and spare parts. Customers can thus easily replace the battery, the screen or the charging port like the HMD Heartbeat Genius and Heartbeat, launched last April.
The back cover of the mobile phone can be removed by unscrewing a single screw, which allows access to the internal parts. This approach is important for an organized approach to maintainability and anti-obsolete nature, responding to the growing ecological concerns of customers.
Otherwise, we can count on a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2400 pixels) and a sustained rhythm of 120 Hz. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering increased protection against scratches and falls.
The mobile phone is also IP67 certified, which guarantees safety against residues and immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. A power button integrating a unique brand sensor and an adjustable button complete the ergonomics of the gadget.
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| HMD SKYLINE Review |
Custom execution for the mid-range
In terms of the engine, the HMD SKYLINE is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, an octa-core chip engraved in 4 nm that provides a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. This chip is accompanied by 8 or 12 GB of storage, depending on the version, and additional space ranging from 128 to 256 GB. The 4600 mAh battery guarantees up to 48 hours of autonomy in normal use. It is compatible with 33 W wired fast charging and 15 W wireless charging (Qi2). The Horizon also offers 5 W reverse charging, allowing you to charge other compatible devices.
A flexible camera
The HMD SKYLINE focuses on photography with a 108-megapixel main module, using the Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor. This sensor is complemented by a 13-megapixel super wide-angle and a 50-megapixel zoom focal point, thus providing extraordinary visual flexibility. On the front, a 50-megapixel sensor with automatic adjustment ensures quality selfies. The mobile phone is equipped to record 4K images at 30 frames per second, thus meeting the requirements of novice content creators.
Clean programming with inventive capacity
The HMD SKYLINE runs Android 14, with a lightweight user interface that's close to the stock Android experience. HMD Worldwide is committing to two years of OS updates and three years of security updates, a relatively short duration compared to the seven years offered by some competitors like Google and Samsung.
An innovative element, called "detox mode", will soon be integrated into the product. This mode aims to reduce the pressure of warnings and advance sales, allowing users to better manage their screen time. Two levels are announced: "delicate", which the user can deactivate at any time, and "hard", more prohibitive.
Finally, note that the HMD SKYLINE is 5G compatible and supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 (with LE Sound technology) and NFC.