HMD Skyline: This Successor of the Legendary Nokia Lumia 920 Has Repairability as Its Main Feature

It has been a while since HMD Global said it would launch smartphones under its brand rather than Nokia’s. Several models have arrived since then, but the company has recently taken a significant step forward. This isn’t because its new HMD Skyline looks quite interesting, but because of what it means in terms of repairability, an issue of significant importance in the world of technology. It's also one where HMD has made a surprising statement.

The new HMD Skyline, reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia N9, stands out for allowing the user to change the back cover, the battery, and even the screen, all from home, using only a screwdriver and a guitar pick. An interesting idea that we’ll learn more about below.

HMD Skyline Specs

All Removable

According to HMD Global, the new HMD Skyline features “Gen2 repairability.” This is a term the company uses to refer to how easy it is to repair the phone. For example, the company says that the number of steps required to replace the screen is 65% less than that of its first repairable smartphone, the Nokia G22.

The smartphone has an internal camshaft driven by a screw that speeds up disassembly. Once you open the cover, you’ll see a series of screws to disconnect and remove the display cable, which automatically falls out. To install the new one, all you need to do is remove the adhesive residue and apply new adhesive strips while maintain IP54 resistance. You can also replace the battery, the charging ports, and the back cover with the help of iFixit.

In terms of design, the HMD Skyline is made of recycled aluminum and resembles Nokia phones with Windows Phone (may it rest in peace). The back, protected by tempered glass, has a two-piece finish that gives it a peculiar look, a pattern that's repeated on the front. The screen, with its curved corners, is integrated into the frame, which has straighter corners. If you own a Lumia 920 or a Nokia N9, the finish is remarkably similar.

One exciting feature is the customizable side button. Like the action button on the latest iPhones, you can customize the button on the HMD Skyline to perform different actions when held down or double-tapped (e.g., launch an app or an assistant).

A Fast Refresh Rate and a Mid-Range Engine

Speaking of the display, HMD Global has implemented a 6.55-inch pOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels), a 144 Hz refresh rate, and HDR10 support. The screen format is quite wide (20:9) and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which isn’t the latest version, but it’s okay.

Regarding its memory, the device has 8 or 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage that, interestingly, you can expand with microSD cards of up to 512 GB, which are increasingly less popular. This phone runs with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (Qualcomm’s premium mid-range) powered by a 4,600 mAh battery with fast and wireless charging of 33 and 15 W, respectively. And, as we said, it’s also replaceable.

The operating system is Android 14, perhaps one of its weakest points. Not because the version isn’t modern, which it is, but because HMD Global is only committed to offering two years of major updates and three years of security patches. There are already brands offering up to seven years of updates, and it’s a real shame that a repairable device with so much potential will be outdated quickly.

Let’s Talk About the Camera

One of Nokia Lumia’s legacies is its camera. Many years ago, the Nokia Lumia 1020 surprised users with a 41 MP sensor and some satisfactory results at the time. HMD is looking to embrace that legacy but go a step further.

On the back, there’s a 108 MP primary sensor, a 13 MP wide angle, and a 50 MP telephoto with 4x optical zoom, all accompanied by a hybrid stabilization system (OIS+EIS). We find a 50 MP sensor with eye tracking on the front to improve selfie focus. In addition, beginning in August, the front camera will be able to record in 4K.

HMD Skyline Versions and Price

The HMD Skyline will be available in two versions of RAM and internal storage. It will be offered in Neon Pink and Twisted Black colors. Official U.S. release date and pricing are currently unknown. These are the prices in British pounds:

• HMD Skyline (8 RAM +128 GB): £399 (~$520)
• HMD Skyline (12 RAM + 512 GB): £499 (~$650)

This article was written by Jose García and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.

Images | HMD

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