HMD Fusion: The Creative Modular Smartphone Redefining Budget Tech

Following its transition from Nokia to HMD, Human Mobile Devices has been rolling out various intriguing smartphones and feature phones. These devices prioritize quality and functionality over sheer power and speed. With the HMD Fusion, HMD emphasizes dependability and the ability to repair oneself (all their smartphones are designed for repair) but also incorporates a modular concept, adding an element of excitement and creativity to the user experience. It is priced at Rs. 17,999 in India, which places it in direct competition with several aggressive budget smartphones from Chinese manufacturers.

HMD Fusion Design

This smartphone is primarily a design-oriented device—in fact, I could confidently say it’s a design showcase. However, it’s a bit peculiar that, despite its design focus, it is only available in a single color: black.

But there’s no need for concern! This is where the modular features of the phone come into play.

Introducing HMD’s modular Outfits

 

There are two varieties of snap-on cases known as Outfits. The Casual Outfit, which is included in the package, is a soft TPU case that can be attached to the phone. While it enhances durability against drops, it does add some thickness. Unfortunately, HMD only offers basic black Outfits in India.

The Flashy Outfit features a flash that acts as a ring light

 

Next, there are the Smart Outfits, with HMD introducing two of these—the Flashy Outfit and the Gaming Outfit in India. Although it may not look like much, the Flashy Outfit (priced at Rs. 2,999) conceals a distinctive feature. The case, in blue, boasts a raised silver ring surrounding the camera module. The top has a hinge, and you can pull out the bottom edge of the ring to convert it into a dedicated flash unit or ring light, ideal for vlogging, illuminating your subject or yourself. The LED can also be partially opened to serve as a flip-out stand for propping up the phone while watching videos. The plastic case is quite durable and offers solid overall protection, reminiscent of the earlier Nokia XR20.

The second option, the Gaming Outfit (also priced at Rs. 2,999), is self-explanatory. It acts as a game controller, providing mobile gamers with physical buttons and keeping their fingers away from the screen.

The Gaming Outfit in action

 

The Smart Outfits connect via six contact pins located at the bottom of the case, allowing users to access features related to the Outfit through their phone. When the Flashy Outfit is mounted, an icon resembling a bulb appears in the camera app’s viewfinder. This feature enables you to activate and adjust the brightness of the LED ring, as well as modify or personalize its color temperature.

The contacts on the Gaming Outfit facilitate the connection between the controller and the phone. Once linked, the controller performs effectively without any lag, minimizing the delays usually associated with Bluetooth controllers. I tested it with RipTide GP 2, and it functioned flawlessly without issues. You will need to detach the phone from its default Casual Outfit case before attaching it to any alternative accessory.

In practical use, both Outfits were effective and functioned as intended. Ensure the phone is correctly placed for the Gaming Outfit to register it. HMD also encourages users to create their custom Outfits (utilizing the paid HMD Fusion Developmental Toolkit) for the Fusion through 3D printing.

The Gaming Outfit features its own battery and a Type-C connector

 

Like most HMD smartphones, the Fusion is centered around self-repair. You simply need to remove the TPU case to access the screws and battery. There’s no requirement for a plastic prying tool (HMD refers to this as Gen 2 repairability), as the phone can be used without the Casual Outfit.

Aside from the modular components, I appreciate the phone’s simplistic design and its translucent back panel. It’s relatively slim, and the screws encircling the back provide a distinctly industrial aesthetic. Its basic IP54 rating (for dust and water resistance) fulfills the necessary criteria for a budget 5G smartphone.

HMD Fusion Specifications

The HMD Fusion features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, built using a 4nm manufacturing process, making it suitable for the majority of budget smartphone processing tasks. It is also equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via a shared slot for a microSD card. The device includes two SIM card slots, accepting two nano SIM cards or a SIM card + SD card combination. The Qualcomm chip ensures solid connectivity, supporting multiple 5G bands, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, USB Type-C (2.0), and standard global positioning systems. Powering the phone is a robust 5,000mAh battery.

HMD Fusion Performance

The device sports a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which may not be impressive for a budget smartphone. It covers the essentials and is adequate for outdoor use but struggles in direct sunlight, posing challenges when using the camera app. Furthermore, it lacks sharpness, as text and images can appear a bit blurry. Even with a peak refresh rate, it falls behind when it comes to smooth scrolling, exhibiting noticeable ghosting.

All Smart Outfits are equipped with a 6-pin connector at the bottom

 

We conducted our standard benchmark tests, and, as anticipated, the results were underwhelming. In everyday use, the phone handles standard apps reasonably well, though slowdowns and stuttering can occur during multitasking. Gaming is satisfactory, but only at low to medium settings.

Despite its appearance, the Android 14 software comes preloaded with a variety of third-party applications. These include games, communication apps, VPN services, and more. The positive aspect is that all of these can be uninstalled, which allows the software to revert to a near-stock configuration. However, even with all unnecessary applications removed, the software still lacks the expected responsiveness considering the hardware it’s built on.

The phone is equipped with only two cameras. The 108-megapixel main camera generates oversharpened 12-megapixel binned photos in daylight and performs adequately in low light if you utilize the designated Night mode. While the details aren’t particularly robust, the dynamic range is commendable. The front camera captures mediocre 12-megapixel selfies, even with the Flashy Outfit illumination, which doesn’t add much detail.

Samples from HMD Fusion’s primary camera (tap to view images)

 

Sample from HMD Fusion’s selfie camera with Flashy Outfit lighting (tap to view image)

 

Despite its energy-efficient processor, the HMD Fusion surprisingly falls short in battery longevity. In our standard video loop assessment, it managed only 16 hours and 13 minutes—considerably below expectations for a budget smartphone. However, the included 33W charger charged the device adequately, completing a full charge in 1 hour and 44 minutes.

HMD Fusion Verdict

Amidst a multitude of standard bar-style smartphones, HMD’s Fusion distinguishes itself for two primary reasons. It not only features a modular design but also grants users straightforward access to its internals for modification and repair. After experimenting with the HMD Fusion, it’s clear that it upholds the classic HMD ethos of focusing on the essentials.

This phone serves as a legitimate design experimentation, bringing the benefits of modular smartphones to a budget-friendly package for the first time. The last comparable experience I had was with Motorola’s Z series, which catered to both mid-range and premium markets. Nothing’s CMF Phone 1 (Review) is another contender in this price range that employs a modular smartphone concept, although its elegantly designed accessories are purely functional rather than innovative.

Surely, the Fusion doesn’t excel in performance, but the modular elements certainly add an enjoyable twist. There are plenty of superior budget smartphones on the market, like the Moto G85 5G (Review) and the Realme 13+ (Review), all available under Rs. 20,000. Nonetheless, the HMD Fusion illustrates that the company is capable of creating a modular platform, and for the time being, that is sufficient, as it holds the potential to revive the modular trend and possibly inject some fun back into smartphones.