HMD is launching a new smartphone in the form of the Skyline. The device stands out due to its repairable casing and so-called Detox mode.
HMD Skyline officially unveiled
Finnish HMD Global has long marketed smartphones under the Nokia brand name, but is now focusing primarily on its ‘own’ phones. Now the company is launching the HMD Skyline, a striking device that will soon be available in the Netherlands for 499 euroThe Skyline is therefore much more expensive than the phones that HMD normally releases.
Like the Nokia G22 and G42, the HMD smartphone has a repairable body. This time, it is easier and less time-consuming to replace certain parts of the device. You can replace the screen yourself if it is cracked, or you can put a new battery in the Skyline if the original one is worn out.
It is also possible to repair a damaged charging port and HMD simply lets you replace the back if it is damaged. HMD works together with the repair experts at iFixit for this. New parts for the Skyline are also sold there. During a briefing, a top executive from HMD indicated that parts will remain available for five or seven years.
Detox-modus en Custom Button
Another striking feature of the HMD Skyline is the so-called Detox mode. This software function helps users to go ‘offline’ and kick the habit of excessive smartphone use. By enabling the feature, it should become easier to put your phone aside and keep it there.
It works like this: you turn on the Detox mode and then choose the apps that you use (too) much. These apps are ‘disabled’ when you activate the Detox mode. You can no longer use them and they are no longer shown in the app overview. It is also possible to ‘block’ people, for example if you do not want to be disturbed by colleagues during a holiday.
You choose how long apps and/or people are blocked on the HMD Skyline. You can also schedule the Detox mode for later in the day. If you choose a ‘Hard Detox’, you can no longer use the smartphone at all until the set time has elapsed, or when you restart the Skyline.
Furthermore, the HMD smartphone has a button (the Custom Button) that you can link to a specific app or action. This allows you to go back to your home screen, open your favorite chat app or start a game with a press of the button. The design has an angular design and is somewhat reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia 920.
Specifications
Now the specifications of the HMD Skyline. The new device has a 6.55 inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels. The refresh rate is remarkably high at 144Hz, although the maximum brightness of 1000 nits is somewhat disappointing. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
The Skyline takes photos with the 108-megapixel main camera, which has optical image stabilization. Also present is a 50-megapixel telephoto lens for 4x optical zoom, and a 13-megapixel wide-angle lens. The selfie camera also has a high resolution of 50 megapixels.
The battery has a capacity of 4600 mAh and charges with a maximum of 33 watts. Wireless charging is also possible, although this is a lot slower (15 watts). A charger is not included; the package only contains a USB-C cable.
HMD Skyline: updates, price and release
The HMD Skyline runs Android 14 out of the box and gets two major Android updates, to version 15 and 16. Security patches roll out to the phone for three years. This makes the update policy disappointing: many manufacturers support smartphones in this price range for considerably longer.
The HMD Skyline is from next week available in the Netherlands for 499 euro. There are two colors: pink and black. HMD also announces the prices of individual parts. For example, a new battery costs 24.95 euros, while a new screen is sold for 94.95 euros. If you want to replace the back, you will pay 29.95 euros.
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Source: www.androidplanet.nl
