HMD launches the Skyline smartphone – impressive cameras, ultimate repairability and a great price

In a world full of stats and specs it’s critical to be able to tick the boxes for the megapixel count on your cameras if you’re going to try and sell a smartphone. But add in the future European Legislation around repairability and there’s fears about just how far back we’ll need to go in terms of design with Smartphones. HMD has today showcased a new device that proves that it’s possible to have it all.

The HMD Skyline is an impressive yet different looking device. We’re all used to the smartphone screen pushing all the way to the edge all the way around. What you’ll notice straight away here is that on the four corners of the device, you don’t have that rounded edge of the screen – there’s a squared off area to the frame.

It’s a touch jarring at first, but then you find out why.

On the bottom of the HMD Skyline is a screw – undo that and you commence the process of disassembly. Just one screw basically loosens the frame and allows you to remove the screen and battery in a matter of literally minutes to replace them if you break them or the battery is degraded.

This could be the hero device of the European Union.

But at a glance, it doesn’t take away from the device at all.

In fact, pound for pound as they say – this thing is fantastic.

A 50MP front-facing selfie-camera with Autofocus and eye-tracking – an absolute winner, add in the “selfie gesture” tech and you don’t even need to push a button – just give it the old “peace” sign with two fingers.

Around back is a 108MP Hybrid camera with Optical Image Stabilisation.

Great depth of field, 4x zoom, ultra wide – nothing you’re missing on this camera.

Additionally, on a software level, HMD will update this in September with a new Digital Detox mode. A powerful way to lock yourself out of apps and notifications when you really need that downtime.

Oh, and the HMD Skyline is by my reckoning the first device to feature Qi2 wireless charging. Even Google’s latest Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices don’t have that!

Qi2 is basically the global standard body’s answer to Apple MagSafe – it works the same, and is a big step forward for Android. There’s already accessories out there, just waiting for phones like this to work with it!

Brenden Folitarik, HMD GM of Australia and Oceania, said; “The HMD Skyline empowers the humans behind the phone, with an impressive triple camera to capture memories, a unique digital detox mode to encourage people to live in the moment and fix-it-yourself repairability that has never been easier. It’s all about creating a fashionable way to have a healthy relationship with your smartphone.”

Lars Silberbauer, Global CMO of Human Mobile Devices said; “At Human Mobile Devices we start by really thinking about and working out what consumers need. This phone is going to be a game-changer. Gen Z’s want beautiful phones that take beautiful pictures. We’re giving them that. They want to take a detox every once in a while and step away from the incessant digital flow. We’re giving them that. HMD Skyline delivers everything they want and need and it looks absolutely beautiful.”

A 48 hour battery, comes in Pink, Blue and Black, and you’ll find it for 9 from August 28 at JB Hi-Fi, Harveys, Officeworks Online, Amazon and Big W Online.