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The HMD Fusion is a budget Android phone with two unusual selling points: repairable components and six-pin Smart Outfits that add accessories or protection. Those ideas make it distinctive, but they do not erase its main compromises: a 720p display, limited software support, and camera performance that reviewers found inconsistent. Consider it if you value repairability or a specific outfit and can confirm local parts and accessory availability; otherwise, compare alternatives before buying.
What makes the HMD Fusion different?
The Fusion connects optional Smart Outfits through six specialized pins on the phone. Depending on the accessory, an outfit can add a function or provide extra protection. HMD announced examples including a gaming accessory, a ring-light Flashy Outfit, wireless charging, and a Rugged Outfit. These are not all necessarily included or available in every country, so check the exact package and local stock rather than assuming the phone comes with a particular accessory. HMD’s September 2024 announcement describes the original concept and accessories.
The idea is appealing when an accessory solves a need you actually have. It is less compelling if you would buy the phone only for the promise of a growing ecosystem: the practical value depends on which outfits are sold where you live, what they cost, and whether you want to carry them.
HMD Fusion pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Repairable display, back cover, battery, and charging port are identified by HMD as serviceable components in select markets. | The 6.56-inch panel is HD+ at 720 × 1612; reviewers criticized its screen quality, and WIRED found it insufficiently bright. |
| Six-pin Smart Outfit connection gives the phone a distinctive modular accessory option. | Accessory availability, bundle contents, and local repair support vary by market. |
| Reviewers describe battery life as daylong or solid. | HMD lists two OS upgrades and three years of security updates for the international model, a limited commitment for long-term ownership. |
| 91mobiles cited the clean Android experience as a positive in its India review. | Camera specifications do not guarantee results; reviews describe performance as lighting-dependent or disappointing. |
Display, performance, and everyday use
HD+ resolution is the clearest compromise
HMD lists a 6.56-inch 720 × 1612 display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 600 nits. The refresh rate can make motion appear smoother, but it does not make the panel sharper or eliminate brightness limitations. WIRED criticized the screen as insufficiently bright, while the 91mobiles review also treated display quality as a weakness. If you spend much of the day reading, watching video, or using the phone outdoors, assess this compromise against your priorities.
#1 Best Overall
- The following mobile network providers are confirmed to be compatible at this time: AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, Tracfone. Other carriers cannot be confirmed to be compatible. Please confirm compatibility with your carrier first.
- Add new functionalities with available outfits.
- 50 MP camera with Selfie Gestures and Selfie slo-mo.
- HMD Fusion is quite the looker, even in its standard, see-through outfit. It’s serving you an ultra-slim body and a raw, no-frills aesthetic. Elegant and industrial. So when you don’t need any extra functionalities, you can enjoy the au naturel look.
- Product does not include a wall charging adapter. A USB-C cable is included. Product should only be charged using the included USB-C cable and a charging adapter with a charging capacity of 5-33 Watts (Lower rated wattage will result in longer charge times).
Budget-class platform and configurations
The international specification page lists a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 platform, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and microSD support up to 1 TB. Configurations differ by region: HMD India lists an 8 GB / 256 GB version. Verify the precise model offered by your seller, including storage and network-band compatibility, before purchase. HMD’s international specifications are the reference for that market, not a guarantee that every country sells the same version.
Camera: read past the megapixel counts
HMD specifies a 108 MP main rear camera, a 2 MP depth sensor, and a 50 MP fixed-focus front camera. Those figures describe sensor resolution, not how reliably the phone produces good photos. Reviewers noted that results can depend on lighting, and 91mobiles found the camera experience underwhelming. The available reviews are not a controlled comparison against current competitors, so there is no sound basis here for a claim that it beats or loses to a particular alternative in every condition.
Rank #2
- 6.56 inches, IPS LCD, 720 x 1612 pixels
- 128GB Storage, 6GB RAM, microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
- Android 14, Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm), Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Rear: 108 MP, (wide), AF, 2 MP, (depth), Front: 50 MP
- Dual SIM (Nano SIM + ESIM)
If camera quality matters, look for sample photos and video from the exact regional model, especially in low light and with the front camera. Do not treat the 108 MP or 50 MP labels as a substitute for those results.
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HMD identifies the display, back cover, battery, and charging port as repairable components through iFixit in select markets. HMD also publishes an official battery-replacement guide. That makes the Fusion more repair-oriented than a phone whose important components are not designed for this kind of repair, but it does not establish that parts are in stock or that a repair is affordable in every country.
Rank #3
- This device works with all GSM carriers including, but not limited to: AT&T, Boost, Cricket, H2O Wireless, Metro, Net10, Simple Mobile, T-Mobile, Tracfone. This product will not work with Verizon. Please confirm compatibility and network availability with your preferred carrier. 5G support not offered with all carriers.
- Taking “life-proof” to the next level with a 100% recycled aluminum chassis and tested to MIL-STD-810H and IP69K standards to be dust-proof, waterproof and drop-proof up to 1.8 meters thanks to its robust Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen and camera lens.
- 2-day battery, 33W Quick Charge 3 and 60% more charges over its lifetime than its predecessor.
- Made and tested in Europe, HMD XR21 passes strict software and malware checks before it reaches you. And with the storage and processing of customer data collected from our global phone and tablet device variants being centralized on a Google Cloud Platform based in Finland, complying with the GDPR requirements, your information stays safe and secure.
- Featuring a 6.49” screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate coupled with OZO Playback to provide an excellent on-the-go entertainment experience.
Before buying on repairability grounds, check whether compatible parts and a repair route are available where you live. HMD’s battery-replacement guide documents a procedure; it does not state universal parts availability or current repair prices.
Battery, charging, and software support
Battery and charging
HMD lists a 5,000 mAh battery and support for 33 W charging. Reviewers described battery life as daylong or solid, but the cited reviews do not provide a matched, independently controlled runtime comparison with current alternatives. HMD’s international specifications say a wall charger is not included, so check the box contents for your market and seller.
Rank #4
- AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, and Tracfone are compatible. Other carriers cannot be confirmed to be compatible. Carrier network coverage is dependent upon the carrier's service area. Please confirm compatibility with your carrier first.
- Speedy repairs. Easily replace a cracked screen and other parts at home with iFixit tools and guides – all without voiding your warranty.
- Snap 50 MP selfies with autofocus and record in sharp 4K. Elevate your shots with the 108 MP triple camera on the back.
- Up to 48 hours per charge. Charge wirelessly with any magnetized Qi2 charger, or 33W fast-charging compatible with USB Type-C cable. 5W reverse wireless charging.
- Make custom shortcuts with The Custom Button. Access your favorite game, navigate home, ask your AI tool of choice weird questions, and more. You’re the boss.
Update commitment
For the international model, HMD lists Android 14, two OS upgrades, and three years of security updates: two years of monthly updates followed by one year of quarterly updates. This is a defined but relatively short horizon if you expect to keep a phone for many years. Regional policy or the device’s current update status may differ; confirm the terms for the exact model and market before relying on them. HMD’s specifications page is the source for the international policy.
Price, bundles, and regional differences
HMD announced launch pricing of £199 / €249 on September 5, 2024. Those are historical launch prices, not current offers or evidence of today’s value. The international specification page says a transparent Casual Outfit is included and a wall charger is not, but package contents vary: regional listings and reviews describe different outfit availability. HMD India has listed an 8 GB / 256 GB configuration, and its page showed ₹19,999 against ₹22,999 MRP with “Out of stock” at the time represented by the source; those time-sensitive figures do not establish current Indian pricing or stock.
Best Value
- AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, and Tracfone are compatible. Other carriers cannot be confirmed to be compatible. Carrier network coverage is dependent upon the carrier's service area. Please confirm compatibility with your carrier first.
- Speedy repairs. Easily replace a cracked screen and other parts at home with iFixit tools and guides – all without voiding your warranty.
- Snap 50 MP selfies with autofocus and record in sharp 4K. Elevate your shots with the 108 MP triple camera on the back.
- Up to 48 hours per charge. Charge wirelessly with any magnetized Qi2 charger, or 33W fast-charging compatible with USB Type-C cable. 5W reverse wireless charging.
- Make custom shortcuts with The Custom Button. Access your favorite game, navigate home, ask your AI tool of choice weird questions, and more. You’re the boss.
Compare the current local price with the total cost of any outfit you want, a charger if needed, and likely repair parts. A modular accessory is only a benefit if it is available at a price you consider worthwhile.
HMD Fusion verdict: who should buy it?
It makes sense for
- Buyers who put repairability high on their list and have confirmed parts or repair access in their market.
- People who will use a specific Smart Outfit and have verified that it is compatible, locally available, and not assumed to be included.
- Budget-phone shoppers comfortable with an HD+ screen and a shorter update commitment in exchange for the Fusion’s distinctive design.
Look elsewhere if
- A sharper, brighter screen is central to your daily use.
- You need a longer software-support period for a phone you plan to keep for years.
- You want consistently strong camera results and do not want to investigate real-world samples.
The Fusion is not an automatic recommendation just because it is repairable or modular. Its best case is a buyer who will use those strengths and can obtain local support; for everyone else, the screen, software horizon, camera caveats, and current local price deserve equal weight.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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