Rita El Khoury began her career in mobile tech writing 17 years ago, focusing on Nokia when it was a top smartphone brand. She felt nostalgic when HMD revived the Nokia brand, but eventually, the relationship felt awkward as HMD moved away from the Nokia name. The new HMD Android phones seem to be a mix of originality and drabness, old and new, and a bit desperate for attention.
Rita attended the HMD Fusion party and observed a mix of iPhone-toting influencers and HMD employees trying to showcase concepts like repairability and modularity to an audience that seemed disinterested. The HMD Fusion phone itself is unique, combining features of a repairable Fairphone and a modular CMF Phone.
The phone can be easily disassembled with tiny screws on the back, allowing for replacement of the display, battery, and other components. The addition of pogo pins on the back allows for various attachments and accessories, including a wireless charging case and a rugged cover.
Despite its unique features, the HMD Fusion is a budget Android phone with decent specs but limited RAM. It runs Android 14 in a stock Android skin and does not heavily emphasize artificial intelligence. The price for the HMD Fusion is expected to be around $262 USD.
Overall, the HMD Fusion offers a mix of innovation and familiarity, making it a curious option for those interested in repairability and modularity in a budget-friendly smartphone.