HMD Skyline

Key Features 

RAM: 12GB

Internal Storage: 256GB

OS: Android 14

Processor: Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)

Display: 6.55-inch P-OLED, 144Hz

Main Camera: 108MP + 50MP + 13MP

Selfie Camera: 50MP

SIM: Dual (2)

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C 2.0

Battery: 4600mAh, 33W

Officially released to the market on 19 July 2024, the smartphone is now available at Phoneplace Kenya. It measures 159.8 x 76 x 8.9 mm, weighs 209.5g, and features a 6.55-inch P-OLED display with 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density). The Skyline phone runs on Android 14 and is powered by an Octa-core Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) processor. 128GB 8GB RAM / 256GB 12GB RAM anchor the phone and enable smooth background operations besides offering sufficient storage for apps, pictures, and videos. Capture great pictures and videos with the 108MP + 50MP +13MP main camera and 50MP selfie camera installed on the device.

HMD Skyline is a 5G-enabled handset. Enjoy wireless connectivity thanks to Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and Wifi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band). It does not support a 3.5mm jack port. The USB Type-C 2.0, OTG provides seamless and necessary wired connectivity and fast charging. Powering this device is a 4,600mAh, non-removable, user-replaceable battery that provides a day’s or more power on typical use when fully charged. A33W wired, and 15W wireless (Qi) charging options enable fast charging, providing much convenience to charge on the go.

Unique Selling Points

Are you considering buying the HMD Skyline? Here are some key highlights of its Unique Selling Points that could influence your decision.

• Premium Design: the phone is sleek and lightweight. It is designed to be comfortable to hold and use. The flat design and build consist of a glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, and glass back. The phone is available in vibrant colors like Green, Neon Pink, Twisted Black, and Blue Topaz.
• Removable Back Cover: The back cover is made of frosted glass and is removable, providing easy access to the battery and other components
• Repairability: Repair-it-yourself capable (display, back cover, battery, and charging port repairs)
• Versatile Connectivity: the handset supports 5G which ensures fast internet speeds and connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 provides faster and more reliable wireless internet access. The NFC offers seamless pairing with other devices. Bluetooth 5.2 enables seamless, wireless pairing with other devices.
• High-Performance Camera set up: HMD Skyline comes installed with a 50MP selfie camera and triple 108MP + 50MP + 13MP main camera that records 4K and 1080p videos, along with gyro-EIS and OIS for stable footage.
  • Features: Hybrid OIS+EIS, 50mm Portrait mode, Night mode 3.0, 0.5x to 4x zoom, AI Portrait, UW and Tele Capture Fusion, Selfie Gestures, Selfie Slo-mo, 4K video capture, OZO Spatial Audio capture with wind-noise cancellation
  • Front camera:50 MPAutofocus with Eye-tracking focus
  • Rear camera:108 MP Main AF with OIS + 13 MP Ultrawide with Capture Fusion technology + 50 MP Tele with Capture Fusion technology
  • Rear flash LED
• Battery and Charging: the 4,600mAh capacity battery is up to task on the massive phone, providing long-time usage. You can recharge the battery with the 33W wired fast charger or 15W wireless (magnetic), Qi2. Notably, the device supports reverse wireless charging with the 5W reverse wireless charging support unit.
• Immersive Display: enjoy immersive viewing even in the bright sunlight with the 6.55-inch P-OLED display boasting of 144Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) resolution and 1,000 peak brightness.
• Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Chipset, coupled with an octa-core processor (4×2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) and Adreno 710 GPU enables robust, efficient performance required of a high-end, 5G handset. Be it gaming or multitasking, the device is up to the task.
• Sufficient memory: enabling and complementing the powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 CHIPSET is 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
• Durability: IP54 Water and Dust Resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers protection against scratches and drops.
• 3-in-2 Hybrid SIM Tray: Supports a Nano SIM and a microSD card for expanded storage.
• Biometric Face Unlock: Secure and convenient face unlock feature.
• OZO Playback: High-quality audio playback for an enhanced listening experience
• Sustainability: Built with sustainability in mind, using recycled materials and designed to last.

• Design and Build

  Distinctive Design

  HMD Skyline has a distinctive design and build that combines aesthetics with practicality. Design-wise, the phone is a real deal with sharp corners and flat sides, reminiscent of the Nokia N9, giving it a unique look. Its side frame is rounded for a comfortable grip, although the sharp corners might be a bit uncomfortable until you get used to them. HMD selected distinctive colorways for their prized Skyline model, thus making it stand out:

  • Neon Pink
  • Twisted Black
  • Blue Topaz.

  Premium Build

  The handset is as premium as they come. The back cover is made of frosted glass, which is removable. This helps provide easy access to the battery and other components. An additional custom button on the left side of the phone with a textured surface enables easy access.

  The Volume Rocker and Power Button are located on the right side. Notably, the power button lies flush with the frame and might be hard to find. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner, while functional and useful, may not be as convenient as an under-display sensor.

  The HMD Skyline is a bulky and heavy phone. Although the ergonomic design and flat side may be decisive, you could be surprised the moment you actually handle it in your grasp. Measuring 159.8 x 76 x 8.9 mm and weighing 209.5g, you will certainly feel its weight and massive size in your hand and pocket.

  As expected, the handset is waterproof certified. It has IP54 Water and Dust Resistance and offers modest protection against dust and water.

  Repairability

  • DIY Serviceable: Designed with repairability in mind, allowing you to replace parts like the screen, charging port, and battery.
  • T3 Torx Screwdriver Required: The back panel is secured with a T3 Torx screw, making it easy to remove and reattach.

  Overall, the HMD Skyline is a uniquely designed mid-range smartphone, built to be stylish and practical, with a focus on repairability and durability.

  HMD Skyline Camera Set-up

  The phone boasts a versatile camera setup designed to capture high-quality photos and videos.

  Selfie Camera

  Capture high-quality selfies and 1080p@30/60fps with the 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF lens. It is perfect for perfect for high-resolution selfies and video calls.

  Main Camera

  The main camera consists of:

  • 108MP Main Camera: Wide lens with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for detailed and sharp photos.
  • 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom:
    • 50 MP Resolution: Captures high-quality, detailed images.
    • Aperture: f/2.0, which helps in low-light conditions.
    • Sensor Size: 1/2.76″ sensor size, with 0.64µm pixel size.
    • PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus): Provides fast and accurate focusing.
    • Optical Zoom: 2x optical zoom allows for capturing subjects from a distance without losing image quality.

  This telephoto lens complements the primary and ultra-wide lenses, providing versatility for various photography scenarios.

  • 13 MP, f/2.5, (ultrawide), 1/3″, 1.12µm: Captures a wider field of view, perfect for landscapes and group shots.

  The main camera features an LED flash and HDR. It records 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, with gyro-EIS

  HMD Skyline Display

  The device has a great display to provide you with an awesome viewing experience. The P-OLED is known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks when viewing pictures and videos. This type of display has several characteristics that make it great for immersive viewing. These include:

  • Flexible and Lightweight: The use of plastic makes P-OLED displays thinner and lighter than traditional glass-based OLED displays.
  • Durability: P-OLED displays can be more resistant to impacts and less prone to shattering compared to glass.
  • Cost-Effective: Manufacturing P-OLED displays can be less expensive, which can help reduce the overall cost of the device.
  • Quality: P-OLED displays offer similar image quality to AMOLED displays, including deep blacks, high contrast ratios, and vibrant colors

  The 6.55 inches provides a large and immersive viewing area. 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution offers a high pixel density of approximately 402 ppi for sharp and clear images.

  144Hz, which is way above the standard 120Hz for most mid-range to high-end smartphones ensures smooth visuals and a responsive experience, particularly beneficial for gaming and scrolling.

  HDR10+ Support delivers excellent color accuracy and contrast, making movies and photos look stunning. High brightness levels, up to 1,000 nits) ensure good visibility even in direct sunlight.

  Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides necessary protection to the P-OLED display, providing necessary durability and long-term usability of the phone by ensuring continued optimized viewing.

  Performance

  Operating System

  HMD Skyline runs on Android 14, providing a smooth and up-to-date user experience. It comes with the latest features and security updates from Google, ensuring a reliable and efficient operating system. Notably, the OS has up to two 2 major Android upgrades making it future-proof.

  Chipset

  The phone is powered by the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset. It is built on a 4 nm process technology which enhances performance and energy efficiency. The chip comes integrated with

  • CPU: Octa-core (4×2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) for seamless multitasking
  • GPU: Adreno 710 for smooth gaming

  The chipset is well-designed to deliver smooth multitasking, gaming, and overall performance.

  Memory and Storage

  • Cloud storage: Google Drive
  • RAM: 8GB, 12GB
  • Internal storage: 128GB 256 GB
  • MicroSD card support up to:512 GB

  You can choose from either the 128GB 8GB RAM, or 256GB 12GB RAM models with the variants based on storage specs.