HMD Skyline Review: A Unique Mid-Range Phone with DIY Appeal
The HMD Skyline is an intriguing addition to the mid-range smartphone market, setting itself apart with a combination of unique features and some notable drawbacks. Here's a detailed look at what makes the Skyline stand out and where it falls short.
Design and Build
The HMD Skyline is one of the first smartphones to bear the HMD brand, diverging from the traditional Nokia line. Its standout feature is its DIY repairability. Designed with user repairs in mind, the Skyline allows users to access internal components by removing just one screw, making battery and screen replacements relatively simple. Spare parts are readily available through HMD or iFixit, enhancing its repairability.
The phone features a removable glass back panel with a frosted finish that resists smudges and adds a touch of vibrancy. Its design includes sharp corners, flat top and bottom edges, and rounded sides. Although the removable back is a highlight, the device still offers some protection against water and dust with an IP54 rating.
Display and Performance
The HMD Skyline boasts a 6.55-inch OLED display with a 1080p resolution and a high 144Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and swiping compared to the standard 120Hz panels, though it operates in a static mode rather than adaptive. The screen supports HDR10 and achieves a maximum brightness of around 4,180 nits, which can boost to over 1,000 nits in auto mode. However, its brightness is somewhat underwhelming compared to competitors.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, the Skyline delivers solid performance but lags behind some rivals in its price range. The mid-range chip manages stress tests without significant throttling but isn't as future-proof as one might hope for a phone designed with DIY repairs in mind.
Battery and Charging
The Skyline is equipped with a 4,600mAh battery, slightly smaller than the 5,000mAh batteries found in many mid-range phones. Its battery life is average, lasting around 10 hours and 47 minutes of active use. Charging support includes up to 33W wired charging, but the phone does not come with a charger in the box. It can charge from 0 to 57% in about 30 minutes and takes around 76 minutes for a full charge. Additionally, the Skyline supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, which is a rare feature in this category.
Camera System
The HMD Skyline features a versatile camera setup with a 108MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide camera. The main camera captures clean, detailed photos in daylight but tends to produce bland colors. Low-light performance improves with the dedicated night mode, though it often results in oversharpened images.
The 4K video recording quality is good with detail and contrast, but the lack of electronic stabilization can lead to shaky footage. The 2x telephoto camera provides detailed and vibrant images but struggles in low light. The ultra-wide camera offers decent performance with lively colors and reasonable dynamic range, though it lacks stabilization as well.
The 50MP front-facing camera delivers good selfies with nice colors and detail, though it could be sharper. The autofocus feature is a plus, ensuring that selfies are clear and well-focused.
Conclusion
The HMD Skyline is a compelling option for those who value DIY repairability and a unique design. It offers expandable storage, wireless charging, and a versatile camera setup. However, it faces tough competition from other mid-range devices with superior chipsets, faster charging, and better low-light camera performance. For enthusiasts interested in a phone that supports easy repairs and has distinctive features, the Skyline is worth considering. For those seeking the best overall performance, other options might provide more value for the price.
