Following its global launch last month, the HMD Skyline has been released in the Philippines, with the midrange handset fetching a competitive price on the local market.

Designed and marketed by HMD Global, which also holds the exclusive license to produce and sell Nokia-branded smartphones and feature phones, the Skyline is primarily aimed at individuals who value both performance and the ability to extend the life of their device through easy repairs.

In the Philippines, the HMD Skyline carries a surprisingly aggressive retail price of P24,990, or roughly $437, for the sole configuration with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, but you can get it for as low as P22,990 ($402) for a limited time on the company’s official brand stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Take note that the same variant costs €599 ($659 or P37,650) in Europe. The device comes in Neon Pink and Twisted Black colors.

Let’s talk design. The Skyline is a throwback to the Nokia glory days, with a chunky angular build and a color palette that screams “early 2010s.” It’s a bold aesthetic choice that will appeal to Nokia fans, with the phone taking inspiration from the Nokia N9 and even the Nokia Lumia 920.

Fixing your HMD Skyline is easier than ever! Watch as we break down the simple steps to replace a screen. No more expensive repairs – just a few screws and a bit of patience. 🛠️📱 https://t.co/qb6hyhNapD#HMD #HumanMobileDevices pic.twitter.com/NrH9eoxVdF

— HMD (@HMDdevices) August 7, 2024

No more expensive repairs?

Where the Skyline truly shines is in its repairability. HMD has taken a bold step towards sustainability by making the unit almost entirely modular. Swapping out the battery, screen, or even the back cover is a breeze — a stark contrast to the disposable nature of most smartphones. To top it off, a customizable side button provides quick access to your favorite apps and features.

For pictures, you get a 108-megapixel primary image sensor with OIS, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a 50-megapixel telephoto shooter with 4x zoom in a rectangular camera module. There’s also a 50-megapixel front camera for selfies and vlogs.

Under the hood, this handset is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip, a solid midrange processor capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. Its 120Hz OLED display promises vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, while Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides some protection against drops and scratches.

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The new HMD smartphone boasts a 4,600mAh battery with reasonably quick 33-watt wired charging. But the real highlight is its support for 15-watt Qi2 wireless charging. This new standard brings magnetic alignment similar to Apple’s MagSafe, allowing for effortless charging with pop-on battery packs or dedicated chargers. It’s a game-changer for accessory compatibility, opening doors to magnetic tripods, car mounts, and more.

On the software side, the HMD Skyline runs Android 14 with promised updates for two major OS versions and three years of security patches. A built-in Detox mode helps users manage notifications and limit social media distractions.

HMD Skyline specs

• 6.55-inch OLED display, FHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor with 5G
• Adreno 710 GPU
• 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 128GB/256GB expandable storage
• Triple 108-megapixel main with OIS, 13-megapixel ultrawide, 50-megapixel telephoto rear cameras
• 50-megapixel front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 4,600mAh battery with 33-watt wired charging, 15-watt Qi2 wireless charging
• IP54 rating
• Modular design with user-repairable parts
• Android 14
• Colors: Neon Pink and Twisted Black

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