HMD’s new phone is both fun and eco-friendly – here’s why flagship makers should take note

Smartphone companies like to tout that they’re committed to the environment. However, most brands release new models that can’t be easily repaired on a very regular cycle – sometimes with minimal upgrades compared to the previous generation. 

That’s in no way sustainable, and HMD recognised this. Back in 2023, it released the G22 under its then-subsidiary brand, Nokia. This was a budget, repairable phone that users could tinker with at home with minimal tools – I even put this to the test myself. The HMD Skyline also had the same fixable build.  

Now, the company is taking this concept and adding a little spice to it. Introducing the HMD Fusion, which made its debut at IFA 2024 in Berlin.  

On top of its repairable factor, this smartphone has a modular build. That means you can add various parts to it to transform the features on the gadget. HMD calls these Smart Outfits, which act as a rear cover for the phone.  

Some of the Smart Outfits you can add include joy-con controllers for gaming, a ring light for improved selfies, a cover for wireless charging and a rugged back with IP68 water and dust resistance. These are all available in a range of colours, so you can switch up the look of your most used accessory at your leisure.  

These work by connecting to the Smart Pins on the phone, which are located on the chassis. When a Smart Outfit is put on, the Pins will tell the phone what hardware is attached and provide the power needed for the accessory.  

While there are a limited number of Smart Outfits at launch, HMD is also offering a Fusion Development Kit, so users can create their own backs and bring them to life with the help of a 3D printer. That means in theory, there are tons of customisation options available.  

I love this experimental trend, and I’m happy to see that it’s not just HMD bringing some much-needed fun to the tech market. Sub-brand of Nothing, CMF, released its first phone this summer which also offered interchangeable backs, though these were mainly for switching up the colour.  

Rather than additional features being integrated into the backs like on the HMD Fusion, the CMF Phone 1 has an Accessory Point, to which users can attach either a lanyard, a kickstand or a card wallet.  

While this phone doesn’t have the same sustainable factor as HMD’s phones – for example, you can’t easily switch out the battery – it’s still proof that users can have fun with their technology by adding something different. Rivals often opt for the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to smartphones, releasing designs year after year that hardly differ. It’s refreshing to see two brands that are breaking that mould.  

Of course, these companies are only doing this on the budget end. The HMD Fusion will cost £199 in the UK and is expected to be around $299 in the US – it will be released later this year, with an exact date to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the CMF Phone 1 starts from £179 in the UK, and $199 in the US.  

The budget price does mean that you get relatively bog-standard specs on the HMD Fusion, including a 6.56-inch 90Hz FHD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB RAM – though the 108Mp main snapper and 50Mp selfie lens are nice bonus additions.  

I can’t help but wonder what possibilities we could have if this technology was applied to the flagship smartphone sector. Despite us tech journalists obsessing over megapixels and lens sizes, cameras can still hold up for a long time for the average user. Plus, smartphone brands such as Samsung and Google are offering software upgrades for up to seven years.  

However, if your battery starts to deplete over time, or your screen cracks in a nasty fall, then that’s either an expensive repair job or a replacement altogether – something not everyone can afford.  

But if people were able to repair these niggles at home for less, it would save people money, and in turn, be less of a strain on the environment due to a steadier-paced production cycle. There would of course be problems to overcome, such as having tight waterproofing with a repairable build – but we’ve seen more ambitious things solved in the past.

Add on the optional fun extras such as accessories and swappable backs, and you’ll have an interesting proposition for customers. Whether flagship smartphone brands adopt this strategy is another matter entirely, but a girl can dream.