HMD Skyline has a removable back panel for DIY repairs

byVikka Abat-Francisco
07/19/2024

We get a lot of gimmicks on phones these days but HMD has always been about being human-centric and that’s more evident than ever with its latest release — the HMD Skyline

It does look like your average, everyday stylish smartphone but it’s one you can take apart and fix yourself, should you have to.

Gen2 Repairability

The HMD Skyline is unique in the sense that its design allows for easy at-home repairs. With just a screwdriver and a guitar pick, you can open the back cover and access the phone’s internals. This user-friendly approach makes it possible to replace components like the battery or screen without visiting a repair shop.

This new standard simplifies the repair process significantly—so much so that fixing the Skyline’s screen involves 65% fewer steps compared to HMD’s previous model, the G22.

Repairing the Skyline is as easy as turning a single screw. A simple counter-clockwise twist releases the back cover, which then pops open, allowing you to use a pry tool to lift it away. Inside, the phone features a clever screw-driven rotating arm mechanism that makes access to the internal components a breeze.

Once you’ve removed the back cover, you’ll find an array of screws that need to be taken out to disconnect the display cable. After disconnecting the cable, the screen can be easily removed from the front. The Skyline uses a foam gasket around the display’s edges to maintain its IP54 rating, ensuring durability against dust and water.

The battery, too, is designed for easy removal. It comes with a built-in plastic liner that you can pull apart by hand, allowing you to swiftly detach it from the phone’s chassis. This user-friendly approach makes replacing or fixing components like a bent charging port or a scratched back cover straightforward and accessible for anyone.

Repair kits can be purchased through HMD’s official site.

About the HMD Skyline

Aside from its repairability, there are a lot of interesting things about the HMD Skyline.

The HMD Skyline catches the eye with its striking design, available in vibrant neon pink and understated twisted black. It sports a bright pOLED display that boasts a 144 Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support, ensuring vibrant colors and smooth visuals whether you’re scrolling through social media or gaming.

At its core, the Skyline is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, which promises solid performance for multitasking and demanding applications. The phone also features stereo speakers that deliver immersive sound and a battery that offers up to 48 hours of use on a single charge. For added convenience, it supports wireless charging with any magnetized Qi2 charger. HMD claims the battery will retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 800 full charging cycles.

The rear camera setup includes a 108MP hybrid OIS triple camera with Capture Fusion technology. This combination delivers sharp, detailed images with a natural bokeh effect and 4x zoom capabilities. Low-light photography is also enhanced with Night Mode 3.0, which balances exposure and preserves detail in darker conditions.

On the front, the Skyline offers a 50MP camera equipped with eye-tracking autofocus.. Starting in August, users will also be able to create 4K video selfies, adding another layer of versatility to the camera experience.