HMD Fusion

HMD Global has unveiled the HMD Fusion, a 5G-enabled smartphone designed to offer cutting-edge performance alongside an innovative user-repairable design. Announced on 5th September 2024, the Fusion is set for release later this month, aiming to provide a blend of robust network capabilities, repair-it-yourself features, and a sleek, practical design. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this device stand out.

Design and Build

The HMD Fusion sports a durable design with dimensions of 164.2 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm and weighs 202.5 grams. Its glass front, paired with a plastic frame and back, keeps it sturdy without sacrificing weight. What sets the Fusion apart from other smartphones is its IP54 rating, ensuring it’s dust and splash-resistant, making it suitable for everyday outdoor use.

An exciting feature of the Fusion is its repair-it-yourself capability. Users can easily replace key components such as the display, back cover, battery, and charging port—ideal for those who want to maintain their phones for the long term without professional help. HMD Global also offers the Fusion toolkit, which provides access to CAD files and APIs, enabling users to customize their devices and accessories.

Display and Performance

The Fusion is equipped with a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While its resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels (269 ppi) is not the highest in the market, it offers a good balance between performance and power efficiency. The display reaches 480 nits of typical brightness, with a peak of 600 nits, ensuring clear visibility in various lighting conditions.

Under the hood, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset (4nm) powers the Fusion, delivering solid performance for everyday tasks. Its octa-core CPU (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) ensures smooth multitasking and efficient battery management. The phone comes in three configurations: 128GB storage with either 4GB or 6GB RAM, and 256GB with 8GB RAM, providing options for different user needs.

Camera and Battery

The 108 MP main camera is a standout feature of the Fusion, offering autofocus and high-resolution photos. Accompanied by a 2 MP depth sensor, the dual-camera setup ensures decent portrait shots with good background separation. The front-facing 50 MP selfie camera is also impressive, capable of capturing sharp and detailed images and recording video at 1080p resolution.

The phone’s 5000 mAh battery supports 33W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge (QC) technology. Remarkably, despite being non-removable, the battery is user-replaceable, keeping in line with the Fusion’s repair-friendly ethos.

Connectivity and Network

The HMD Fusion excels in network technology, offering 5G and LTE compatibility across a wide range of bands for both international and U.S. models. This ensures fast download and upload speeds across various carriers. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and a USB Type-C port with OTG support, making it highly versatile.

Conclusion

The HMD Fusion is a well-rounded smartphone with a unique approach to longevity and user repairability. It balances strong network performance, camera capabilities, and a robust design, making it an attractive option for users who want more control over their device’s maintenance and performance.