HMD’s picture getting clear with new leaks
|The HMD pixelated puzzle presented first at the MWC2024 event is slowly becoming clear. HMD announced a new business scheme that comprises their own brand, which includes the affordable Pulse and its variations, a partner flip phone, a Nokia original (the Nokia 3210), and a proper midrange phone. The midrangers are a bit unclear, but thanks to some good leaks from the Twitter account HMD Meme’s, the picture is becoming clearer.
HMD is planning on launching two midrangers: one with an SD4Gen2 SoC codenamed Nighthawk, and another with an SD7 Gen2 SoC codenamed Tomcat, as well as a device from the Fusion project, which aims to bring back something Motorola tried to popularize but failed.
The midrangers Nighthawk and Tomcat will have some similarities with the Pulse devices HMD has already launched. Their design and some specs will be similar, but the differences will lie in the choice of processor. While the specs aren’t groundbreaking, HMD is finally using relatively good processors that could make these models stand out. Additionally, the design factor might be crucial too because of the soft lines and vibrant colors, which are a true legacy of Nokia devices. If the prices of 250-290 € for Nighthawk and 400-440€ for Tomcat turn out to be true, then these two might have a future.
HMD Nighthawk
- AMOLED FHD+, 120Hz display
- 108MP OIS + 2MP / 32MP
- SD4Gen2 SoC
- 8GB + 128GB, 256GB
- 5,000mAh
- Android 14, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.1, NFC, Dual Speakers, 3.5mm jack, Micro SD, etc.
- HMD Nighthawk (Codename) “Red” 8/128GB ≈ €250 8/256GB ≈ €290
HMD Tomcat
- AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz, PureDisplay HDR10+
- SD 7s Gen 2 SoC 4nm
- 108MP OIS + 8MP + 2MP / 32MP
- 8GB, 12GB + 256GB
- Android 14
- 4,900mAh + 33W
- IP67, BT 5.2, NFC, FPS on Display, Stereo Speakers, PureView, etc.
- HMD Tomcat (Codename) “Blue” 8/256GB ≈ €400 12/256GB ≈ €440
Now meet the Fusion…
The Fusion device is more interesting, though. The processor used is nothing special, but you might remember that Nokia’s industrial phones made by German i.safe MOBILE GmbH are using the same one. The QCM6490 chip developed by Qualcomm is an upper mid-range SoC based on the SD 778, but its lifetime should be extended. It was first developed for Fairphone 5, and now Nokia and HMD are using it because it is good for making the device connect with various gadgets due to its properties. The chip is optimized for IoT solutions and industrial and commercial IoT applications.
HMD Project Fusion (Prototype Model)
- IPS FHD+ 6.6″ display
- 108MP + 2MP PureView
- Qualcomm QCM6490
- 8GB RAM
- 4,800mAh, 30W Wired, 15W Wireless (with Outfits)
- 164mm × 76mm × 8.6mm
- Wi-Fi 6E, HMD Smart Outfits, Dynamic Triple ISP, Pogo Pin, 3.5mm jack, etc.
It fits well with the story HMD is trying to push, and it surely looks better than the rugged Nokia IS540.1. However, it makes me wonder whether Nokia and HMD were in talks to make a device for Nokia’s purposes. If that turns out to be true in the coming five years, I’ll definitely want to know what went wrong.