But one smartphone really caught my attention — not because of its hardware or software, which are strictly okay even for its sub-₹20,000 price range. The HMD Fusion, in my opinion, is one of the more interesting smartphones that I’ve tested, purely because of what it brings to the table apart from the hardware and software: Modularity. 

Don’t get me wrong. The hardware and software are perfectly serviceable for its asking price of around ₹18,000. But that, again, in my opinion, is not the Fusion’s USP. It’s the smart suits, hardware customisation, and — drum roll — a user-replaceable battery that truly make it special. 

So, for the purpose of this review, I’ll focus on these aspects of the phone and less so on the hardware and software performance.

Strengths: Where the HMD Fusion shines

1. Design & build

The HMD Fusion’s retro-inspired design is undoubtedly one of its standout features. Its sleek aesthetic and unique rear panel design make it visually appealing in a market flooded with generic-looking smartphones. While the back construction feels plasticky, the overall build quality is solid, and the phone is comfortable to hold.

The rear panel of the HMD Fusion has a user-replaceable battery. All it takes is a regular Philips head screwdriver and a compatible battery pack. (Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

One of the most notable aspects of the design is its focus on repairability. The modular approach allows users to easily replace components like the battery or display, aligning with the growing trend of sustainable electronics. This is a thoughtful addition for users who want to avoid costly repairs or prefer to keep their devices for longer periods.

Smart outfits, a unique selling point of the HMD Fusion, add an extra layer of customisation and functionality. These interchangeable covers not only change the phone’s appearance but also offer specific features:

(Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

The Flashy outfit includes a built-in light for low-light photography. It’s a clever idea, especially as the ring light also doubles as a kickstand for you watch content on a desk or any other flat surface.

One of the more interesting aspects of this is that HMD allows users to create their own smart outfits. Those interested — and with a 3D printer handy — can download CAD (computer-aided design) files from HMD’s website and create their own, unique outfits.

The Gaming outfit introduces physical buttons and ergonomic grips for mobile gaming. While it enhances control to some extent, the responsiveness and comfort of the buttons leave room for improvement.

(Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

Overall, the design and build are where the HMD Fusion truly stands out, making it a good choice for users who value aesthetics and repairability.

Battery life

The HMD Fusion is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which offers reliable endurance for everyday use. In various tests, the phone performed well under different usage scenarios:

• A 15-minute session of Genshin Impact consumed only 5% of the battery.
• GPS navigation for an hour also drained just 5%.
• Streaming YouTube videos for an hour resulted in a minimal 3% drop.

This efficiency makes the HMD Fusion suitable for users who rely heavily on their phones for gaming, navigation, and media consumption.

While the 33W fast charging is slower than some competitors, taking approximately an hour and 51 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%, the overall battery life compensates for this drawback. It’s a reliable performer for users who prioritise endurance over quick top-ups.

Weaknesses

1. Display

The 6.56-inch HD+ display aims to strike a balance between size and clarity, offering vibrant colours and sharp text for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming.

However, it falls behind competitors in several key areas:

• The 90Hz refresh rate feels underwhelming in a price range where higher refresh rates are becoming the norm.
• The display struggles with outdoor brightness, with a peak brightness of just 403 nits. Under direct sunlight, the screen becomes difficult to read, which can be frustrating for users who frequently use their phones on the go.

While the display performs adequately indoors, its limitations outdoors significantly detract from the overall user experience.

Also read: POCO M7 Pro 5G Review: Hits all the right notes

2. Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor and paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage, the HMD Fusion is capable of handling basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. However, when it comes to raw performance, the phone handles casual operations well but struggles with demanding tasks.

3. Camera performance

The HMD Fusion features a 108 MP rear camera and a 2 MP depth sensor, along with a 50 MP front camera. On paper, this setup sounds impressive, but in real-world use, the results are just about alright.

• In well-lit conditions, the rear camera produces decent photos, but colour reproduction is inconsistent, with colours sometimes appearing washed out.
• The shutter response is slow, requiring users to hold the phone steady for a few seconds after taking a photo to avoid blurriness.
• The 50 MP selfie captures good details in well-lit conditions, but doesn’t particularly stand out.

The verdict

The HMD Fusion brings an intriguing mix of features to the table, aiming to carve out a niche in the budget smartphone segment. Its retro-inspired design, repair-friendly build, and customisable Smart outfits make it a unique option for users who value aesthetics and sustainability. The battery life is another strong point, offering reliable endurance for everyday use.

For hobbyists and those who prefer customising their smartphone from the ground-up, the HMD Fusion is a one-of-its kind device.

For casual users who prioritise design and basic functionality, the HMD Fusion could be a good fit. However, for those looking for a smartphone with strong performance, a reliable camera, and better overall value, more competitive options are available in the same price range.

Also read: realme 14x 5G Review: Durable, powerful, consistent

But one smartphone really caught my attention — not because of its hardware or software, which are strictly okay even for its sub-₹20,000 price range. The HMD Fusion, in my opinion, is one of the more interesting smartphones that I’ve tested, purely because of what it brings to the table apart from the hardware and software: Modularity. 

Don’t get me wrong. The hardware and software are perfectly serviceable for its asking price of around ₹18,000. But that, again, in my opinion, is not the Fusion’s USP. It’s the smart suits, hardware customisation, and — drum roll — a user-replaceable battery that truly make it special. 

So, for the purpose of this review, I’ll focus on these aspects of the phone and less so on the hardware and software performance.

Strengths: Where the HMD Fusion shines

1. Design & build

The HMD Fusion’s retro-inspired design is undoubtedly one of its standout features. Its sleek aesthetic and unique rear panel design make it visually appealing in a market flooded with generic-looking smartphones. While the back construction feels plasticky, the overall build quality is solid, and the phone is comfortable to hold.

The rear panel of the HMD Fusion has a user-replaceable battery. All it takes is a regular Philips head screwdriver and a compatible battery pack. (Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

One of the most notable aspects of the design is its focus on repairability. The modular approach allows users to easily replace components like the battery or display, aligning with the growing trend of sustainable electronics. This is a thoughtful addition for users who want to avoid costly repairs or prefer to keep their devices for longer periods.

Smart outfits, a unique selling point of the HMD Fusion, add an extra layer of customisation and functionality. These interchangeable covers not only change the phone’s appearance but also offer specific features:

(Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

The Flashy outfit includes a built-in light for low-light photography. It’s a clever idea, especially as the ring light also doubles as a kickstand for you watch content on a desk or any other flat surface.

One of the more interesting aspects of this is that HMD allows users to create their own smart outfits. Those interested — and with a 3D printer handy — can download CAD (computer-aided design) files from HMD’s website and create their own, unique outfits.

The Gaming outfit introduces physical buttons and ergonomic grips for mobile gaming. While it enhances control to some extent, the responsiveness and comfort of the buttons leave room for improvement.

(Image: Vijay Anand/CNBC-TV18)

Overall, the design and build are where the HMD Fusion truly stands out, making it a good choice for users who value aesthetics and repairability.

Battery life

The HMD Fusion is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which offers reliable endurance for everyday use. In various tests, the phone performed well under different usage scenarios:

• A 15-minute session of Genshin Impact consumed only 5% of the battery.
• GPS navigation for an hour also drained just 5%.
• Streaming YouTube videos for an hour resulted in a minimal 3% drop.

This efficiency makes the HMD Fusion suitable for users who rely heavily on their phones for gaming, navigation, and media consumption.

While the 33W fast charging is slower than some competitors, taking approximately an hour and 51 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%, the overall battery life compensates for this drawback. It’s a reliable performer for users who prioritise endurance over quick top-ups.

Weaknesses

1. Display

The 6.56-inch HD+ display aims to strike a balance between size and clarity, offering vibrant colours and sharp text for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming.

However, it falls behind competitors in several key areas:

• The 90Hz refresh rate feels underwhelming in a price range where higher refresh rates are becoming the norm.
• The display struggles with outdoor brightness, with a peak brightness of just 403 nits. Under direct sunlight, the screen becomes difficult to read, which can be frustrating for users who frequently use their phones on the go.

While the display performs adequately indoors, its limitations outdoors significantly detract from the overall user experience.

Also read: POCO M7 Pro 5G Review: Hits all the right notes

2. Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor and paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage, the HMD Fusion is capable of handling basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. However, when it comes to raw performance, the phone handles casual operations well but struggles with demanding tasks.

3. Camera performance

The HMD Fusion features a 108 MP rear camera and a 2 MP depth sensor, along with a 50 MP front camera. On paper, this setup sounds impressive, but in real-world use, the results are just about alright.

• In well-lit conditions, the rear camera produces decent photos, but colour reproduction is inconsistent, with colours sometimes appearing washed out.
• The shutter response is slow, requiring users to hold the phone steady for a few seconds after taking a photo to avoid blurriness.
• The 50 MP selfie captures good details in well-lit conditions, but doesn’t particularly stand out.

The verdict

The HMD Fusion brings an intriguing mix of features to the table, aiming to carve out a niche in the budget smartphone segment. Its retro-inspired design, repair-friendly build, and customisable Smart outfits make it a unique option for users who value aesthetics and sustainability. The battery life is another strong point, offering reliable endurance for everyday use.

For hobbyists and those who prefer customising their smartphone from the ground-up, the HMD Fusion is a one-of-its kind device.

For casual users who prioritise design and basic functionality, the HMD Fusion could be a good fit. However, for those looking for a smartphone with strong performance, a reliable camera, and better overall value, more competitive options are available in the same price range.

Also read: realme 14x 5G Review: Durable, powerful, consistent