HMD’s new Skyline smartphone promises easy repairs and the ability to disconnect
HMD has unveiled a rather unique mid-range smartphone called the horizonBesides the bright pink color, there are two notable features that set the model apart from the sea of similar devices.
The most notable of the two is Detox Mode, which blocks all notifications and disables apps, essentially turning your smartphone into a dumb phone.
The company says that Detox Mode gives users a way to “take a break from the digital world,” so they can decompress from all the notifications they receive in a given day. HMD goes on to say that it wanted to differentiate itself from competitors whose “detox features… merely mute apps and notifications.”
Users can configure the function according to their own needs.
You can choose “which apps or categories of apps are disabled.” For example, the Skyline can block all social media platforms and dating apps from alerting you, but still let through notifications from mobile games and streaming services. The HMD even lets you mute individual contacts through the menu.
Detox Mode has two levels: Soft Lock and Hard Lock. The first one lets you disable notifications, as we’ve explained so far. The latter lets you set a four-hour time limit on the blocking tool. Or, if you prefer, you can set a custom limit.
It is not yet known what Hard Lock does, as the product listing does not provide any further explanation on this, so we contacted HMD to ask for more information.
Next-generation repairability
HMD has designed the Skyline to be easily repairable, in a state the company calls “Gen2 repairability.” It’s an aspect they believe in so strongly that it features prominently in marketing materials and the official announcement.
A brief description of how to repair the device can be found on the company’s official blog . The phone’s cover is held in place by a single screw and a rotating arm, and removing it gives you full access to the model’s internal hardware.
Thanks to the Gen2’s repairability, owners will be able to replace bent charging ports, displays, and dead batteries, according to HMD. iFixit will supply the tools and replacement parts for the Skyline, making it easy for consumers to score. While how-to guides are already available on The iFixit website, The components are not yet for sale.
Specifications
Under the hood, the Skyline is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and a 4,600mAh battery that can last up to 48 hours on a single charge. Storage is fairly limited, topping out at 512GB with a MicroSD card.
The camera array is impressive, featuring a 108MP primary lens with OIS (optical image stabilization), a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto option. The latter two lenses support HMD’s Capture Fusion technology, which allows for highly detailed zoomed-in photos.
On the front is a 6.55-inch pOLED touchscreen, which displays a FullHD Plus image resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The HMD Skyline is scheduled for release in August and will be available in Neon Pink and Twisted Black. There’s no word on pricing yet, but GSMArena claims that the retail price will be $499/€499/£399. The publication also notes that there is no charger included in the box.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best cheap smartphones for 2024.
