HMD Skyline
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 50 MPix phase comparison-AF, Videos @1080p/30fps
Price comparison
Average of 21 scores (from 34 reviews)
Reviews for the HMD Skyline
The HMD Skyline is the first smartphone from HMD with Gen2 repair capability. This means that you can easily repair the mid-range phone by yourself. But does it work, and is the HMD Skyline enjoyable to use in everyday life?
Source: T3
The HMD Skyline is an interesting phone, setting up the proposition of easy device repair, reintroducing a nostalgic design, and hitting a few core specifications to give you a decent experience. While the camera can be bettered by rivals, the overall performance of the Skyline will suit those looking for a device without spending big. But the lack of software support throws up a barrier: when Samsung and Google are offering so much more support, the temptation to choose from one of those more established brands remains – especially when the Skyline's reparability unique sell comes undone by the limitations of future software lacking.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/22/2024
Source: Tech Advisor
The HMD Skyline is an ambitious mid-range phone that gets most things right, but also arguably doesn’t quite succeed in its main ambition. It feels and looks pleasing, has reliable cameras, a long-lasting battery, a smooth display, and capable performance. However, its openness to quick parts replacements is undermined by its short lifespan as far as core Android updates go. On the other hand, some might counter that mid-range phones aren’t meant to be owned for too long. In this case, owners will find plenty to keep them happy until the cessation of new patches forces them to upgrade.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/15/2024
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Emkwan Reviews
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/24/2024
Source: Android Police
When it comes down to it, the HMD Skyline is the phone we need, but not the phone I want. The appeal of having an affordable repair-it-yourself smartphone with next-gen Qi2 wireless charging is strong, especially in a crowded sea of Android phones. Throw in its strong battery life (with a replaceable battery), adequate performance, and unique features like its Custom button, and there are plenty of reasons why HMD's "flagship" phone is an attractive option for many. But it's behind the times in a few areas that also matter. For one, its boxy, thick design doesn't shout "This is for creators," and it only makes its display bezels that much more noticeable. Its cameras offer some solid, detailed shots, especially its 50MP selfie lens, but its rudimentary features now pale in comparison to the AI camera magic we've come to know with other competitors.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/18/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Trusted Reviews
The HMD Skyline looks like a classic Nokia, and has the at-home repairability of some of the Nokia phones HMD has made in recent years. It has an unusually broad range of features for the money too, including metal/glass build, wireless charging and a zoom camera. Some of the basics can’t match up to its direct rivals, though: camera quality, gaming performance and ruggedisation.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/26/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: PC Mag
The HMD Skyline lets you replace several parts on your own (once they become available), has a useful focus mode, and offers above-average battery performance, but it's not especially powerful or adept at taking photos. We also find its blocky, heavy design unappealing. Overall, the Skyline has some appeal if you prioritize repairability, sustainability, and fast charging, though most people are better off with the Google Pixel 8a because of its better build quality, broader 5G support, more advanced imaging tech, and seven-year support window.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/19/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Slashgear
With a retail price of $499, HMD put the Skyline in a difficult position. With so many amazing devices at this price point, it had to do something over the top to stand out amongst the stiff competition. While the Skyline is a good phone, it just doesn't do enough to make it stand out from the pack. The Pixel 8a gets you more performance, and much better cameras for the same price and the OnePlus 12R gets you a flagship performer with mediocre cameras. The Skyline's closest competitor appears to be the Galaxy A54, but HMD's abysmal update policy is holding it back against Samsung's midrange competition. That's not to say that the Skyline isn't a decent device.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/12/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Digital Trends
The ease of repairability makes the Skyline quite unusual, and peace of mind does sell, but it’s not “sexy.” You’re going to have to be practical and know the costs involved in repairing phones, and perhaps also be aware of your own likelihood of breaking a screen at least once during your ownership to put it above a brilliant camera or long battery life. When you put the repairability aside, what else does the Skyline offer? The design is superb, and I do like the in-hand comfort, but there are some problems that have stopped me from wanting to continue using the phone. The weird Wi-Fi connection issue is baffling, and the fingerprint sensor is very annoying, but these may be “me” issues and do not ruin the phone. Not having the Detox Mode ready for launch is unfortunate, though.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/11/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: GSM Arena
The HMD Skyline might be the company's first hit in its post-Nokia era. It's a standout smartphone with its self-repair program, unique design and solid hardware under the hood. Check out our video review to learn ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about the phone's top features, build and screen quality, battery life, performance, and camera image quality.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/08/2024
Source: Neowin
All in all, the HMD Skyline has a very robust camera system. Much of this issues are software related. The findings from the preliminary test has been shared with HMD. The August update will clear some of the bugs and introduce newer feature for the device and I hope HMD continues to fine tune the camera output of the device. I will re do the above test once the August update arrives and I hope that much of these issues if not all, be sorted out, just in time for the global release of Skyline which should be in the third week of August.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/06/2024
Source: Irish Mirror
Celebrity photographer Rosanna Elettra took the HMD Skyline for a test drive and commented: “I’ve had the joy of capturing acclaimed artists like Rhianna, Central Lee, Aitch and Cara Delevingne. HMD Skyline is Gen Z’s dream device, so I wanted to show the phone in its natural habitat, in scenes dripping in Gen Z culture. I’m used to shooting celebrities, but I loved turning the camera on Human Mobile Device’s latest launch and taking its super impressive camera for a test drive. The shots – all taken on the phone – are super cool, stylish and have main character energy – just like Skyline.” Lars Silberbauer, Global CMO of Human Mobile Devices, said: “Human Mobile Devices is human by design…and that’s what we’ve done with HMD Skyline, put consumers first.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/24/2024
Foreign Reviews
Source: Computerbild DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/06/2024
Rating: Total score: 93%
Source: PC Welt DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/25/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Android User DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/16/2024
Source: Gamestar DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/22/2024
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: PocketPC DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/18/2024
Source: Computerbild DE→EN
Positive: Easy to repair; great telephoto lens; expandable memory; bright display. Negative: Unsupported waterproof; no jack socket.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/23/2024
Source: Teltarif DE→EN
Positive: Nice cameras; decent hardware; easy to repair. Negative: Waterproof IP54 only; relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/05/2024
Source: Smart World IT→EN
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/14/2024
Rating: Total score: 78% price: 65% features: 80% display: 80% mobility: 75% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Frandroid FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/26/2024
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 70% display: 70% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90%
Source: CNet France FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/30/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Les Numeriques FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/12/2024
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 60% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Nextpit France FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/12/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Android.com.pl PL→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/07/2024
Rating: Total score: 73% price: 60% performance: 70% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 100%
Source: Mobileworld 24 PL→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 70% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 85%
Source: Techno Senior PL→EN
Positive: Modern design; easy to repair; decent hardware. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/21/2024
Source: GSM Online PL PL→EN
Positive: Beautiful design; great built quality; easy to repair; stereo speakers; memory card slot; decent cameras. Negative: High price; average performance; lack of AI Features.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/23/2024
Source: PurePC PL→EN
Positive: Elegant design; decent cameras; easy to repair; MicroSD card slot; nice pOLED display. Negative: Average performance; short battery life; poor video recording; weak connectivity; no charger included.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/14/2024
Source: DGL.ru RU→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/30/2024
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: ITC UA RU→EN
Positive: Modern design; nice display; good speakers; decent performance; impressive autonomy.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/31/2024
Source: MobilArena HU HU→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/23/2024
Rating: price: 60% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90%
Source: Tek.no NO→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/08/2024
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Mobil.se SV→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/15/2024
Rating: Total score: 70% display: 70%
Source: Arena IT →EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/30/2024
Rating: Total score: 76% price: 70% performance: 70% features: 70% mobility: 70% workmanship: 80%
Comment
Qualcomm Adreno 710: Graphics chip for smartphones and tablets, integrated in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC. According to Qualcomm, 2x faster than the old Adreno 644 in the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1.
Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
SD 7s Gen 2: Mid-range SoC with 8 Kryo cores (4x ARM Cortex-A78 2.4 GHz performance cluster, 4x ARM Cortex A55 1.95 GHz efficiency cluster) and a 5G modem (up to 2900 Mbps download). The chip is manufactured using the modern 4nm process.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
6.55":
It is a small display format for smartphones. You shouldn't be severely defective in vision, and you won't see much detail on the screen and only have a small resolution available. For that, the device should be small and handy, easy to transport.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.74.56%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.