“The HMD Skyline’s easy repairability makes it unique among its peers, as does Qi2 wireless charging. And the design
is a real winner.”
Pros
- Eye-catching design
- Easy repairability
- Main camera takes great photos
- Qi2 wireless charging
Cons
- Some software oddities
- Oversensitive fingerprint sensor
- No Digital Detox mode at launch
The HMD Skyline, one of the first phones made under the HMD brand, offers a unique feature of easy repairability, not
seen in its competitors. The stunning design and innovative features make it a desirable choice for buyers.
Featuring a striking design inspired by the old Nokia Lumia series, the HMD Skyline stands out with its unique color options
and comfortable feel. The phone’s repairability and wide range of features set it apart from other smartphones in
the market.
HMD Skyline: Design
The HMD Skyline’s design is a standout feature, drawing inspiration from the iconic Nokia Lumia 920. With its unique
color options and comfortable grip, the phone is a visual delight. The sturdy aluminum chassis and distinct corners
add to the overall appeal, making it a fashionable choice for users.
Despite its larger size and weight, the Skyline offers a premium feel and a distinctive look, reminiscent of the Nokia
Windows Phone era. The bold color choices and attention to detail make it a top contender for the best-looking smartphones
of the year.
HMD Skyline: Camera
The HMD Skyline boasts an impressive camera setup, with a 108-megapixel main camera, a 13MP wide-angle camera, and a
50MP telephoto camera on the rear. The selfie camera features 50 megapixels and autofocus with eye-tracking, delivering
stunning photo quality and versatility.
While the main camera captures exceptional details and colors, there are inconsistencies in performance, with occasional
issues like blurred images and focus problems. The camera app offers various zoom options, but the results are
average and require improvement for better consistency.
HMD Skyline: Screen
The HMD Skyline features a 6.55-inch pOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and vibrant colors. While the screen offers
a decent viewing experience, it falls short in terms of screen protection with Gorilla Glass 3 in comparison to
competing models.
Despite some minor settings issues, the screen provides good color reproduction and responsiveness, making it ideal
for multimedia consumption. The phone’s speakers enhance the audio quality for an immersive viewing experience.
However, inconsistencies in the ambient light sensor and display settings may impact user experience. The screen’s
performance and responsiveness are commendable once adjusted, offering a satisfying usage experience.
HMD Skyline: Software
The software on the HMD Skyline runs on Android 14, offering a clean and user-friendly interface with minimal pre-installed
apps. The device features a customizable hardware Custom Button for quick access to various functions, adding
to the user experience.
While the software is responsive and efficient, there are some drawbacks such as disabled USB settings and notification
issues. Occasional software quirks like Wi-Fi connectivity problems and non-removable features may require further
optimization through software updates.
HMD promises two years of major software updates and three years of security updates, emphasizing the phone’s repairability
over long-term software support. The device’s unique selling point lies in its easy repairability, catering to users’
preferences for affordable and convenient repairs.
While the Digital Detox Mode is yet to be available, HMD assures a future software update will introduce the feature,
promising added functionality to enhance user experience in managing app usage and interruptions.
HMD Skyline: Performance
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor and offering up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the
HMD Skyline delivers decent performance for everyday tasks. While suitable for casual gaming, the phone may face
limitations with heavier applications.
Call quality is commendable, but connectivity issues like unreliable Wi-Fi reconnection and oversensitive fingerprint
sensor are notable drawbacks. These issues may affect the overall user experience, requiring software optimizations
to improve performance and reliability.
Furthermore, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor’s sensitivity and reconnection issues may impact user convenience and
security, requiring software adjustments to enhance usability.
HMD Skyline: Battery and Charging
The HMD Skyline features a 4,600mAh battery that offers moderate performance, lasting up to five hours of screen time
per day. While the battery may not provide extended usage, its compatibility with Qi2 wireless charging and fast
USB-C charging enhance convenience.
With 15W wireless charging and 33W USB-C charging support, the Skyline offers efficient charging options, ensuring
quick recharging times. However, the battery performance may be limited compared to other models in the market.
In conclusion, the HMD Skyline’s unique selling point lies in its easy repairability and innovative features, setting
it apart from other smartphones. While it may face some performance and software optimization challenges, the phone’s
affordable pricing and distinct design make it a compelling choice for users seeking a balance of style and functionality.
