HMD reorganizing again, and here come more entry-level phones… plus accessories!
It seems that HMD Global is once again going through internal changes. If our memory serves us right, this could be the fourth major reorganization since the company was founded. The latest to leave was Chief Marketing Officer Lars Silberbauer, who exited the company back in April. Executive reshuffles aren’t uncommon in tech, but with HMD, they seem to happen a bit too often for comfort.
Despite the internal shifts, HMD is preparing to launch a fresh batch of phones aimed at the crowded and unforgiving budget segment. Based on leaks from Smashx60, which have proven to be accurate in the past (though not always), we might see up to five new models hit the market soon. Unfortunately, most of these seem to be running on the same tired hardware we’ve seen countless times before.
Let’s take a look at what’s supposedly coming:
🔵 HMD BOLD
Possibly a Skyline-inspired design for India, but with extremely modest internals:
- 6.74″ HD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Unisoc T7200 SoC
- 50MP + 0.8MP main camera / 8MP front
- 5,000mAh battery, 20W charging
- 4/128GB for ₹7,999 | 6/256GB for ₹9,999
- Blue and Brown colours
- Expected Q4 2025 launch
🍭 HMD CANDY 5G
A cheerful name with slightly more capable specs:
- IPS HID display, 120Hz refresh rate
- 108MP main camera / 50MP front
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC
- 5,000mAh, 33W charging
- Comes in colourful finishes
🎧 HMD VIBE2 4G
Seems destined for the affordable US/EMEA segment:
- 6.56″ HID LCD, 120Hz
- Snapdragon 685 SoC
- 13MP + 2MP / 8MP
- 6GB RAM, 5,000mAh battery with 20W charging
- Sand Gold and Shine Black colours
🔑 HMD KEY2
Low-end qHD device, maybe to scratch that basic Android itch:
- 6.5″ IPS LCD, 60Hz, qHD (1280×576)
- Unisoc SC9863A SoC
- 13MP + Depth / 5MP
- 3/64GB
- 4,000mAh, microUSB charging
🌀 HMD ARC2
An ever-so-slight bump from KEY2:
- 6.5″ IPS LCD, HD+ (1560×720), 60Hz
- Same Unisoc SC9863A SoC
- 13MP + Depth / 5MP
- 4/64GB
- 5,000mAh, USB-C
But phones aren’t the only thing HMD is preparing this time. The company is also reportedly working on launching a smartwatch, a smart band, and several new wireless earbuds, making this the most well-rounded product launch in its history so far. It’s a clear signal that HMD wants to build more than just phones — they’re aiming for a small ecosystem. I haven’t tried their AMPD buds, but judging to their previous laccessories, I wouldn’t expect much of the new DUB series (P60 and S60). I hope these are not worse than Huawei’s Freebuds 6i which are a thing you should avoid at all cost.
While we always leave a bit of room for HMD to surprise us, these leaks aren’t doing much to raise excitement. Most of the devices seem to recycle old chipsets and hardware that belongs in the years behind us. However, what could save the lineup—at least partially—is good software and solid optimization, something HMD has often done right in the past. Let’s hope they stick to that tradition.
Is one of these models meant to be a Nokia C-series successor? Is BOLD aiming to grab the attention of the Indian market? Are CANDY and VIBE destined for the US prepaid crowd?
A lot of questions remain, but if these are the highlights of HMD’s late 2025 strategy, then the company will need a lot more than a reorganization to stand out in the ultra-competitive Android landscape. Still, with a full lineup of devices and accessories coming, it might be one of HMD’s most ambitious efforts yet.
