Smartphone companies like to announce their commitment to the environment. However, most brands release new models that cannot be easily repaired on a very regular basis – sometimes with minimal upgrades compared to the previous generation.
That is not sustainable in any way, and HMD recognized this. In 2023, it released the G22 under its then subsidiary brand Nokia. This was a cheap, repairable phone that users could tinker with at home with minimal tools – I even put this to the test myself. The HMD Skyline also had the same fixable construction.
Now the company takes this concept and adds a little spice to it. Meet the HMD Fusion, which made its debut at IFA 2024 in Berlin.
In addition to its repairable factor, this smartphone has a modular construction. That means you can add different parts to it to transform the gadget’s functions. HMD calls these Smart Outfits, which act as a back cover for the phone.
Some of the smart outfits you can add include joy-con controllers for gaming, a ring light for better selfies, a cover for wireless charging, and a rugged back with IP68 water and dust resistance. These are all available in different colors, so you can change the look of your most used accessory at your leisure.
These work by connecting to the Smart Pins on the phone, which are located on the chassis. When a Smart Outfit is put on, the pins tell the phone what hardware is connected and provide the necessary power for the accessory.
While there will be a limited number of smart outfits at launch, HMD is also offering a Fusion Development Kit so users can create their own backs and bring them to life using a 3D printer. That means there are, in theory, tons of customization options available.
I like this experimental trend, and I’m glad to see that it’s not just HMD that’s bringing some much-needed fun to the tech market. Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, released its first phone this summer that also offered interchangeable backs, although these were mainly for changing the color.
Lucas Baker
Lucas Baker
Lucas Baker
Instead of having extra features integrated into the back like the HMD Fusion, the CMF Phone 1 has an accessory point to which users can attach a lanyard, kickstand or card holder.
While this phone doesn’t have the same durability factor as HMD’s phones – you can’t easily swap out the battery, for example – it’s still proof that users can have fun with their tech by adding something different. Rivals often take the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to smartphones, releasing designs that differ little from year to year. It’s refreshing to see two brands breaking that pattern.
Of course, these companies only do this for budgetary reasons. The HMD Fusion will cost £199 in the UK and is expected to cost around $299 in the US. It will be released later this year, with the exact date yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the CMF Phone 1 starts from £179 in the UK and $199 in the US.
The budget price does mean you get relatively standard specs for the HMD Fusion, including a 6.56-inch 90Hz FHD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM – although the 108MP main snapper and 50MP selfie lens are a nice bonus.
I wonder what possibilities we would have if this technology were applied to the flagship smartphone sector. Even though we tech journalists are obsessed with megapixels and lens sizes, cameras can still hold up for the average user. In addition, smartphone brands such as Samsung and Google offer software upgrades for a period of up to seven years.
However, if your battery dies over time, or your screen cracks in a nasty fall, that’s an expensive repair or a full replacement – something not everyone can afford.
But if people could fix these problems at home for less, it would save people money and in turn be less damaging to the environment due to a more stable production cycle. There would of course be issues to overcome, such as good waterproofing with repairable construction – but we’ve seen more ambitious things solved in the past.
Add to that the optional fun extras, such as accessories and interchangeable backs, and you have an interesting proposition for customers. Whether flagship smartphone brands embrace this strategy is another matter entirely, but a girl can dream.