One of the most innovative Android phones I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Google | ZDNET

Nov 05, 2024

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In between testing the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Apple iPhone 16, I've been using the $500 HMD Skyline. At a fraction of the cost of said flagships, I expected the experience of the Skyline to be bare-bones, middling, and frankly, not have much to write home about. It wasn't long into testing when I realized how wrong I was.

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2024

Headlining the Skyline are three features: self-repairability, an action button, and Qi2 wireless charging. That's right, I said the Q word. Two years after the Wireless Power Consortium first announced the Qi2 standard, the feature has finally come to an Android phone. Did anyone guess that HMD would be the first manufacturer to offer it?

The company's latest Android phone features a 6.55-inch P-OLED display, a 144Hz refresh rate, a 108MP camera, and more.

Qi2 allows devices to magnetically snap onto supported accessories, from charging stations to car mounts to grip attachments. In simplest terms, it's MagSafe for Android. Previously, you'd need a magnetic ring accessory to give an Android phone such capabilities, but Qi2 is built right into the handset. So, the first thing I did after unboxing the Skyline was prop it onto the charging stand I had from Belkin -- and it just clicked!

Also: Finally, an iPhone car mount with Qi2 charging and won't break the bank

Of course, the attachment part is only half of the Qi2 story; the standard also allows handsets to charge at 15W (versus 5W), nearing the speeds of some phones' wired charging. You'll just have to ensure your wireless charger is Qi2-certified to reap the benefits.

The Skyline's industrial design reminds me of old Nokia Lumia phones, with sharp edges, rounded display corners, and a sleek aluminum finish. In HMD's pink tone, the Skyline absolutely pops. While the phone looks great in pictures, however, it's slippery to hold, and the corners often dig into my palm, making for a not-so-comfortable one-handed experience. Fortunately, a case would solve both of those problems, so I highly advise picking one up.

Also: Why I'm recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I'm not alone)

Along the sides of the phone lies a recessed power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The scanner works great, often registering my thumb or index finger at first tap, but I just wish HMD gave me the option to "unlock at press." Currently, the scanner is active even when the phone display is turned off, meaning you may get some accidental presses when it's tucked in a pocket.

I'm more enthused by the Skyline's Custom Button on the left side of the phone. I'd say it's an iPhone Action Button dupe, but HMD offers a much more functional and intuitive software experience. For example, you can register functions for a long press and a double press, with the vertically stacked list including system settings (i.e., turning on the flashlight, opening the camera app, and changing sound profiles) and app-based shortcuts (i.e., starting ChatGPT voice mode, navigating home on Google Maps, and opening YouTube).

The Skyline is powered by a mid-range Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM, a duo that I've found to be just enough to handle my daily activities. That includes loading photos and videos while scrolling through Reddit and Threads, responding to emails, and streaming NFL games during breaks. Unless the phone just booted, or I downloaded multiple apps in the background, any stuttering and slow-downs were easy to disregard.

Also: Microsoft's new laptops' repairability stuns iFixit, sets high bar for rivals (looking at you, Apple)

I'd like to think that the 144Hz refresh rate display, which I kept locked throughout my testing, has something to do with the phone's snappiness. Going from 120Hz on flagship phones to 144Hz on the Skyline is not as big of a revelation as it seems, but I've doom-scrolled on enough phones to tell the difference, and the extra frames make web browsing and playing games that much smoother.

Of the phone's three cameras, I've found the 108MP main lens the most reliable, with a detailed output that doesn't go overboard with the saturation. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you prefer to have pictures that look "Instaworthy" at capture, and the lack of optical image stabilization in the telephoto lens means zoomed-in videos can look shakier than desired.

There's one last aspect of the Skyline that's worth considering when buying the phone, and that's repairability. In partnership with iFixit, HMD built the phone so that users can easily remove the back cover (by loosening the lock screw on the bottom and carving out the backing seals with a guitar pick) and replace any defective or aging parts, including the battery, charging board, speakers, and more.

This initiative, according to HMD, will run for seven years, meaning you'll be able to buy spare parts and swap them in until 2031. It's commendable to see a phone maker side with self-repairability, and I'd like to see others follow suit.

Also: My biggest regret with updating my iPhone to iOS 18 (and it's not a hot take)

While it's true that consumers now spend more time with their phones before upgrading, my concern with the Skyline's longevity has more to do with HMD's software support. The company is committing to only two years of Android OS updates and three years of security patches, meaning the Skyline, which is still on Android 14, won't receive additional features after Android 16.

At $500, the HMD Skyline is one of the most interesting mid-range phones I've tested this year. Whether you should buy one or not depends on what features you value in a handset. If fast wireless charging, compatibility with magnet-based accessories, and the ability to easily repair your phone are high on your priority list, then the Skyline is your best Android option.

Otherwise, I'd consider competing devices like the Google Pixel 8a, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, and the OnePlus 12R, all of which are priced similarly but offer better performance, camera quality, and software support.