HMD is the home of Nokia phones, and while new Nokia models are on the way, HMD is launching affordable new smartphones under its own brand, HMD – the Pulse Pro, the Pulse+, and the Pulse, and at the affordable price, environmental friendliness and easy, cost-friendly repairability, pulses are quickening!
Tech innovator Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has today revealed its first line of smartphones under the original HMD brand, the Pulse Range consisting of the HMD Pulse Pro, HMD Pulse+ and HMD Pulse.
Starting at just AUD $229 with all three models coming in under $300, the HMD Pulse collection sets the tone for HMD’s difference in the industry – clean lines, calm tones, modern aesthetics, elegant repairability and bold, brazen design at an accessible price.
I had a chance to see these smartphones at the launch in Sydney earlier this week, which is embedded a paragraph below, and for the money, and my initial hands-on time, they operate smoothly, with big screens, high megapixels cameras and good looks.
Of course, they don’t have the inbuilt AI features that Samsung delivers with its flagship (and much more expensive) S24 flagship range, but the camera still has AI tech within, and of course, you can easily run ChatGPT or any other AI app to do all manner of AI goodness as desired – and these models should prove a popular smartphone for the everyday value they deliver for all age groups.
CMO of Human Mobile Devices, Lars Silberbauer, said: “We’ve got our finger on the pulse, and recognise consumers’ needs and anticipate market trends; repair is the cornerstone of a fresh chapter in smartphone innovation. Forget the ordinary, this is a new era of smartphone sophistication with substance.”
Brenden Folitarik, GM for Australia and Oceania, added: “We are here to deliver something new, exciting and different to Australian consumers and to the industry as a whole. Our inaugural Pulse range epitomises what HMD will stand for in the market, reinforcing that Australians no longer need to decide between design or value, features or fashion. As Human Mobile Devices our focus will always be what is best for Australians, balancing the very best in design, technology and value.”
Ben Wood, Chief Analyst CCS insight, said: “HMD has been a trailblazer for more repairable smartphones. It’s encouraging that the HMD Pulse Family is even easier for consumers to repair, and this design decision aligns well with the consumer trends we are seeing in our research”
Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, comments: “HMD has just announced its fourth repairable device: HMD Pulse Pro. HMD’s ongoing commitment to designing phones with repairability in mind is an encouraging shift in our throwaway culture, proving that HMD has the innovative culture needed to drive advances in repairability. We’re keen to collaborate as they work towards making repairable phones the norm, not the exception.”
The HMD Pulse Collection
Each device in the new HMD Pulse range is built to be repairable, HMD calls it ‘Gen 1 repairability’, empowering owners to replace a damaged display, bent charging port, or a depleted battery, without an engineering degree. Users can simply pick up a self-repair kit in partnership with iFixit.
HMD predicts that three out of every four devices it sells in Europe in 2024 will be repairable, up from one in three in 2023, demonstrating a significant shift in consumer purchase habits.
HMD Pulse Pro: Your selfie game is about to level up – RRP $299
HMD Pulse Pro is a selfie-lover’s new best friend. With a market-leading 50MP Selfie Camera, your picture-perfect snaps will be the envy of all this winter. Give your phone the two-finger salute to kick-start all new Selfie Gesture Navigation, capturing core memories with just a wave of the hand, or go hands-free with a finger-heart, thumbs up or two-handed heart sign – perfect for those group selfies. And you can wave goodbye to blurry night-time selfies with HMD Pulse Pro’s AI Super Portrait mode, rendering even the darkest selfie as clear as day. Making it easier than ever to capture memories in high-definition, HMD Pulse Pro makes you look like a pro photographer – without any training.
HMD’s Pulse Pro is a fashion statement that won’t go out of style, available in three stunning shades: Glacier Green, Twilight Purple and Black Ocean. And it doesn’t stop at the handset. Pulse Pro in Glacier Green has its own statement colour-matched charger which is sold separately and coming soon. With its timeless design and sleek silhouette, it’s giving major celebrity vibes, without the celebrity price tag.
Full Specs – https://www.hmd.com/en_au/hmd-pulse-pro/specs?sku=286946224
HMD Pulse+ and HMD Pulse
HMD Pulse Pro’s little siblings, HMD Pulse+ and HMD Pulse, offer up to 59 hours of battery life and Gen 1 repairability, in an array of eye-catching shades. HMD Pulse+ (RRP$259) boasts a 50MP rear camera and depth sensor that lets you snap quality pictures with ease, whilst HMD Pulse (RRP$229), the final part of HMD’s first original trio, strikes the perfect balance between affordability, performance and repairability. With an 13MP camera complete with AI HDR and skin-tone optimisation for naturally vibrant shots, HMD Pulse packs a punch.
Full Specs – HMD Pulse+ – https://www.hmd.com/en_au/hmd-pulse-plus/specs?sku=286943885
Full Specs – HMD Pulse – https://www.hmd.com/en_au/smartphones
With top-range specs at a mid-range price point, the HMD Pulse Family aims to make the smartphone category accessible to all.
Pricing And Availability
The HMD Pulse Pro has an RRP of $299 and is available now from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and Big W.
The HMD Pulse+ has an RRP of $259 and is available now from JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks and at a later date from Big W, Telstra and Vodafone.
The HMD Pulse has an RRP of $229 and is available now from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and Big W.
