Smartphone manufacturers pride themselves on their commitment to the environment. However, most brands launch new models that cannot be easily and regularly repaired, sometimes with minimal upgrades over the previous generation.
This is by no means sustainable, and HMD has acknowledged this. In 2023, it released the G22 under its then-subsidiary brand, Nokia. It was a budget-friendly, repairable phone that users could tinker with at home with minimal tools—I even put it through its paces myself. The HMD Skyline also had the same repairable build.
Now, the company is taking that concept and adding a little spice to it. Meet the HMD Fusion, which debuted at IFA 2024 in Berlin.
In addition to its repairable aspect, this smartphone features a modular construction. This means that you can add various parts to it to transform the functionality of the gadget. HMD calls them 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 enhancing selfies, a case for wireless charging, and a rugged back with IP68 water and dust resistance. They all come in a range of colors, allowing you to change the look of your most-used accessory however you like.
These work by connecting to the phone’s Smart Pins, 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 to the accessory.
While there are a limited number of smart suits at launch, HMD is also offering a Fusion Developer Kit, so users can create their own backs and bring them to life using a 3D printer. In theory, this means there are tons of customization options available.
I love this experimental trend, and I’m glad to see that HMD isn’t the only one bringing a little fun to the tech market. Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, released its first phone this summer, which also featured swappable backs, though those were mostly for changing colors.
Luc Baker
Luc Baker
Luc Baker
Rather than integrating additional features on the back like on the HMD Fusion, the CMF Phone 1 has an accessory point, to which users can attach either a lanyard, kickstand, or card holder.
While this phone doesn’t have the same durability factor as HMD’s phones (for example, it’s not easy to change the battery), it still proves that users can have fun with their tech by adding something different. Competitors often take the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to smartphones, releasing models year after year that barely differ. It’s refreshing to see two brands breaking that mold.
Of course, these companies only offer these types of products for the budget-conscious. 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 a specific date yet to be confirmed. The CMF Phone 1, meanwhile, is available from £179 in the UK and $199 in the US.
The budget price means you’re getting relatively standard specs on the HMD Fusion, including a 6.56-inch 90Hz FHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM – although the 108MP main sensor and 50MP selfie lens are nice bonus additions.
I can’t help but wonder what possibilities we could have if this technology were applied to the flagship smartphone sector. Despite our obsession with megapixels and lens size, cameras can still last a long time for the average user. Plus, smartphone brands like Samsung and Google offer software upgrades for up to seven years.
However, if your battery starts to drain over time or your screen cracks in a nasty fall, it will either be an expensive repair or a complete replacement, which not everyone can afford.
But if people could fix these small defects at home for less money, it would save people money and therefore less pollution to the environment thanks to a more regular production cycle. There would of course be problems to solve, such as having a perfect seal with a repairable construction, but we have already seen more ambitious solutions found in the past.
Add to that fun options like accessories and interchangeable back covers, and you have an interesting proposition for customers. Whether or not flagship smartphone brands adopt this strategy is another matter entirely, but a girl can dream.
