IFA 2024 | HMD Fusion launches as a modular budget smartphone

The HMD Fusion is the latest smartphone from HMD Global, and despite its mid-range price and specifications, it should make it on to the list of the most interesting smartphones released in 2024. HMD seems to have borrowed a leaf from Motorola's Moto Z series and its Moto Mods.

Somewhat like the Moto Z series, the HMD Fusion can gain new features by swapping out the case for a variety of functional cases called Fusion Outfits. These cases attach to the back of the HMD Fusion via smart pins at the bottom of the phone.

Some of the covers include a case with a ring light for vlogging and livestreaming; a rugged case that adds IP68 water and dust resistance, wireless charging, push-to-talk compatibility and an emergency buttton; and a case that adds magnetic wireless charging. There's also a controller case for gaming. HMD will begin selling its Fusion Outfits later in Q4In addition to these first party Fusion Outfits, HMD has also released a Fusion Development Toolkit that contains the CAD file so people can 3D print their own designs.

When it comes to specs, the HMD Fusion is a budget smartphone at best. It has a 6.56-inch 90Hz HD+ screen with a centered punch hole for a 50MP selfie camera. It is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage. On the back of the phone is a 108MP primary camera and a 2MP secondary sensor.

The HMD Fusion has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, an IP54 rating, a 5,000mAh battery, and support for 33W fast wired charging. It ships with Android 14 and is slated to receive two OS upgrades and three years of security updates. Like the HMD Skyline (available on Amazon for $499), the HMD Fusion is easily repairable and its parts will be available to buy from iFixit.

HMD has put a starting price of €249 on the Fusion. It has been revealed the phone will make its way to the US later but there's no info on the price yet.