HMD went through a major transformation early this year intending to use tech innovation to make people’s lives easier and solve real-world challenges. The Finland-based company is embracing open innovation and a multi-brand strategy approach by working with inspirational partners.
HMD Devices
Besides selling Nokia phones, the company recently launched HMD original smartphones that are affordable and personalized through modular design, desirable, beautiful, and most importantly repairable. These devices also ship with nice digital detox features, including self-care reminders, digital well-being tips, and a meditation app. Whether you need a break from social media or constant notifications, with bespoke app and contact blocking, detox mode allows you to tailor your digital detox to your needs, giving you more time to live in the moment without distraction.
The company also has Nokia feature phones that help reduce time spent online as they have no access to social media, the internet, or other apps.
The company sells the HMD Pulse, Pulse Plus, Pulse Pro, Skyline, and Fusion.
The Pulse lineup is their entry-level smartphones that fuse affordability, performance, premium design and repairability as mentioned above. They come with HD+ screens, high refresh rate, and ingress protection against dust and water splashes. They also have the latest Android 14 with future software support like 2 Android OS upgrades and 3 years of monthly security updates. They have big batteries and fast Type-C charging. The HMD Pulse series sports capable cameras with features like selfie gestures, AI HDR, and skin tone optimization.
The Skyline series has OLED screens with a very high refresh rate and really high brightness protected by Gorilla Glass. They are powered by the latest Snapdragon processors with more than dependable RAM and storage options. In terms of software, you get a detox mode which limits access to social media and notifications. They come with powerful cameras and software features such as AI Capture Fusion technology. You get big batteries and fast Type-C sharing and IP54 ingress protection.
The HMD Fusion is the latest member of the company’s branded smartphones. Besides coming with premium features, they introduce Smart Outfits which include a built-in ring light for taking selfies, gaming controllers, and wireless charging solutions that take personalization and customization to new levels.
The Fusion smartphone’s modular design is part of HMD’s repairable phones, which come with upgradeable hardware, which adds to the company’s sustainability mission. The Smart Outfits are accessories can be attached via six specialized pins and HMD notes that every outfit will modify the phone’s software and hardware, unlocking fresh capabilities, unique interfaces, and improved performance.
HMD Barbie Flip Feature Smartphone in Partnership with Mattel
The launch of the Barbie flip feature phone taps into nostalgia, providing the perfect accessory for people who want to disconnect from their smartphones and enjoy more straightforward, enjoyable moments. This is a true feature phone for those aiming to detox as it doesn’t come with apps but allows for connectivity through calls and texts.
Inside the box, you get nice accessories, including Barbie stick-on gems, colour-matched polishing cloth, attachable phone charms, two replaceable back covers, and a beaded phone strap.
HMD Boring Phone in Collaboration with Heineken and Bodega
The Boring Phone by HMD was launched early this year in partnership with beer brand Heineken and Bodega. It is a limited run of dumbphones by the company specifically designed to have reduced tech capabilities. It has been created to encourage people to enjoy better real-life connections on nights out by disconnecting from their smartphones.
The phone’s transparent casing and holographic stickers draw inspiration from Gen Z’s love of Newtro fashion and design and are reminiscent of mobile phones of the early 2000s. With modern-day frills removed, the phone is unable to download social media or other third-party apps that take away from being present. It also has a handy week of standby time and up to 20 hours of talk time.
HMD Partnership with FC Barcelona
Human Mobile Devices (HMD) is now the official global media partner for FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs. The announcement was made through a creative reveal video shared on the official social media channels of both HMD and FC Barcelona.
HMD says the partnership is designed to raise awareness of Human Mobile Devices – a company not yet 10 years old but already Europe’s largest manufacturer of smartphones – primarily through digital advertising opportunities at the Olympic Stadium and then at the Spotify Camp Nou when it reopens later in the season.
The partnership between the two brands extends beyond football as it will cover the FC Barcelona basketball, futsal, handball, and roller hockey teams too.
HMD says the partnership showcases its commitment to standing out in the crowded mobile phone market by aligning with a global sports giant like FC Barcelona.
iFixit Partnership
With the company’s focus on repairability, HMD has collaborated with iFixit to offer official parts and repair guides online. The self-repair kits allow users to replace a damaged display, bent charging port, or flat battery – even after the phone’s warranty has expired.
HMD already has the first version toolkit for developers and businesses, which contains design files and information on software integration, that is available now on its website.
What They’re Saying
“In our seven-year journey, collaboration and support has allowed us to achieve so much. And we have plans to do so much more as we introduce the world to the new HMD. We want to be a catalyst for positive and profitable change by embracing a multi-brand strategy: crafting new HMD original devices, creating Nokia phones, and collaborating with well-known global partners,” said Jean-Francois Baril, HMD Co-founder, Chairman and CEO.
Follow us on Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
