Notebookcheck reviews the HMD Pulse Pro

Notebookcheck conducted the first thorough review of HMD’s Pulse Pro. This is the upgraded version of the regular Pulse device, featuring a 6/128GB memory configuration and a 50 MP camera on both the front and back.

The review is written in their usual meticulous style, featuring a multitude of tests—a hallmark of all their reviews. For full details, refer to the review itself, as I’ll summarize the key points in the good, the bad, and the ugly sections.

The Good

The HMD Pulse Pro is an entry-level phone that offers repairability for the screen, battery, charging port, and back cover, thanks to the partnership with iFixit. Additionally, the device comes with Android 14 and will receive two major OS updates (Android 16), along with quarterly security patches until May 2027. The design and build quality are commendable, and the display does not utilize Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).

The Bad

The main camera does not produce photos of satisfactory quality, which is disappointing considering that devices from the competition offer better camera performances in this price range. The 50 MP front camera also tends to capture smudgy selfies, especially in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the glossy finish of the back makes it a massive fingerprint magnet. Additionally, the display’s visibility under direct sunlight is subpar, despite exhibiting good contrast between black and other colours.

The Ugly

The Unisoc chipset (T606) is offering laggy experiences even with everyday tasks, and competitors offer better SoCs within the same price range. As alternatives, one might consider the Samsung Galaxy A15 4G or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G, which may lack the repairability of the HMD Pulse Pro but boast AMOLED screens and better performance.

Here are the official specs of the device:

  • Dimensions: 163.19* 75.02 * 8.55 mm
  • Weight:196g
  • Network:2G: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 | 3G: 1, 5, 8 | 4G: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
  • OS: Android™ 14 | 2 years of OS upgrades | 3 years of quarterly security updates.
  • CPU: Unisoc T606 Processor 8 x 1.6 GHz, Cortex-A75 / A55 | GPU ARM Mali-G57 MP
  • Memory: 4/128GB5, 6/128GB5, 8/256GB5 | Up to 4-8GB virtual RAM1  | MicroSD card support up to 256GB | Google Drive
  • Display: 6.56’’ HD+ HID display 90Hz 480 nits(typical), Boost 600 nits, NTSC 70%(typ.) min 65%(min)
  • Camera: Main: 50 MP AF Main + Depth, F1.8 (mm) 1/2.8″ | LED flash | Front: 50MP FF | Super Night + Tripod Mode | FlashShot | AI HDR | Skin tone optimization | Selfie Gestures | Night Selfie + AI Super portrait | Selfie slo-mo.
  • Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth® 5.0, GPS/AGPS/Galileo, Accelerometer (G-sensor), P&L sensor, Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) E-Compass, NFC
  • Battery: 5000mAh6 | >80% after 800 charging cycles7 | Up to 59 hours battery life2 | 20W charging
  • I/O: Type-C USB (USB 2.0) | OTG | 3.5mm audio jack | SIM: 3-in-2 Hybrid SIM tray | Nano SIM + Nano SIM/MicroSD card
  • Other: IP52 | Biometric face unlock | Side fingerprint sensor | OZO Playback | Android Enterprise Recommended | Warranty 3 years
  • Price: 179€

While I haven’t personally tested the phone, upon its arrival, I’ll see if I can corroborate Notebookcheck’s findings.

 

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