HMD Fusion review: Making Android Smartphones Fun Again

Make Androids (smartphones) Fun Again. Yes, MAFA doesn’t roll off the tongue like MAGA (Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, which reads "Make America Great Again"), but HMD is making an earnest attempt here. Clamshell smartphones have become stagnant and boring lately, and we all would like a fresh design to come into the fold.

Say hello to the Fusion from HMD (the parent company of the Nokia brand). HMD began making smartphones under its own name earlier in 2024. The first was HMD Crest, though it was an utter disaster. Toward the end of the year, HMD released the Fusion, a smartphone that caught everyone’s eye. I’ve used it extensively over the past few weeks, and I like the direction the company is taking

I won’t pick apart the smartphone, as there won’t be any merit to that. It’s a budget smartphone that doesn’t excel in any particular area. Instead, I’ll explain why the HMD Fusion (and its inevitable successors) is paving the way for future smartphones.

The smartphone is all about its clever design and accompanying accessories. It isn’t a top-of-the-line smartphone, nor should you expect it to be. HMD Fusion stands tall on its own by daring to be different.

HMD may not have been the first to market with a modular smartphone, but we all welcome the introduction of Outfits (mods) and repairability (easy and handy guides to DIY repair). Motorola tried this in 2016 with the Moto Z. It wasn’t a runaway hit, but those mods (a speaker or a projector) were nonetheless exciting.

The concept of a modular smartphone is a win-win for all consumers. First, the smartphone can be repaired (hallelujah) by the customers themselves (rejoice). Second, smartphones last longer on average as they can be easily repaired. Third, accessories can be added and removed as and when one wishes. Manufacturers can continue to sell these mods for the lifespan of the smartphone.

The HMD Fusion Mods aren’t out of the ordinary but have been carefully curated. HMD calls them “Outfits.” First up are the snap-on cases. One is a soft TPU case (which most manufacturers provide). This is the Casual Outfit and isn’t “smart” in any way. It just adds basic protection from drops. Then, there are two Smart Outfits. The first of these is the Flashy Outfit. Snap on this blue-coloured case with a unique feature up its sleeve. Yes, a hinge around the camera can be pulled out. It turns into a ring light dedicated flash unit when needed.

Furthermore, it can opened halfway and double up as a stand. This case, in particular, adds hefty protection to the smartphone, making it nice and rugged.

Then there is the Gaming Outfit, the most exciting of them all. This essentially connects a controller to the phone. Just connect the controller to the Pogo pin cut-out on the rear panel, and you’re ready. Once connected, you can game lag-free via the controller (since it is not running on Bluetooth). It’s a plastic-built yet solid.

The Gaming Outfit enhances the overall experience. The trigger buttons work well, and there is no fear that the controller will detach at any point. My only feedback would be to dial up the tactile feedback. I want to feel some push and pull while playing my favourite games. This is a far cry from the gaming controllers we’re all used to, but it is a good attempt from the house of HMD.

Again, the gaming on the HMD Fusion is limited to the processor under the hood. A Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 can only put in so much work. It’s a heavily limiting processor, so gaming on the HMD Fusion may not be what you’re used to.

An easily repairable smartphone

With a modest Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, the phone can barely compete with Google and Samsung. Yes, it has 8GB RAM and 256GB (expandable via microSD card) of storage, along with support for several 5G bands and Bluetooth 5.1, but it falls behind most modern standards.

Yet, HMD isn’t aiming for all that with the Fusion. They want an ever-evolving smartphone that can be self-repaired and last longer than average. You get access to screws and battery, via the translucent rear panel. This is what HMD calls Gen 2 repairability. The phone can be used without any Outfits. It’s got an IP54 rating (dust and water).

Furthermore, users can also design their own custom Outfits. An HMD Fusion Developmental Toolkit (albeit paid) is available for use in conjunction with 3D printing.

A genuinely fun smartphone

MAFA (Make Androids Fun Again). HMD’s aim with the Fusion is to do just that, and they have nailed it. It’s a smartphone most people won’t buy, but maybe as a second smartphone. I can see it lying around and being a workhorse for four or five solid years.

At Rs 17,999, for the 8GB RAM + 256GB of storage variant (bundled with the Flashy and Gaming Outfits), the HMD Fusion isn’t an inexpensive proposition. The smartphone has repairability at the top of its USP, and the allure of accessories, but that’s about it. The Redmi Note 14 that recently launched handily beats it in the performance department and even comes with a superior display and faster charging speeds. There’s the Nothing CMF Phone 1, which also retails at this price point, and has a modular approach.

Still, in a sea of regular clamshell smartphones, HMD Fusion is a breath of fresh air, and for that, I’d give HMD two thumbs up. I love the idea of Outfits and the direction HMD is taking. If only they could outfit a more powerful smartphone to begin with, this would be a big hit.