HMD Pulse Pro Review
Product Information & Ratings
Review Summary
The HMD Pulse Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone with a focus on repairability, designed for users who prioritize sustainability. However, despite some attractive features like its repairable design and affordability, the phone struggles in key areas like performance, display quality, and camera functionality. Here’s our detailed breakdown.
Design & Build Quality
The Pulse Pro’s design is sleek but basic, featuring a glossy plastic back that attracts fingerprints easily. While its build is lightweight and slim, it lacks premium features such as a protective case in the box. One of the biggest advantages of the Pulse Pro is its easy repairability. HMD has partnered with iFixit to provide users with tools and guides to replace parts like the battery, screen, and charging port. However, the overall feel of the phone is somewhat cheap, especially compared to competitors in the same price range.
Display Quality
The 6.56-inch 720p IPS LCD display is one of the weaker aspects of the Pulse Pro. Its low resolution is noticeable, especially when compared to similar budget phones offering Full HD displays. While the 90Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling, the colors are a bit muted, and outdoor visibility remains a challenge, despite its 600-nit peak brightness. Competitors like the Moto G84 and Samsung Galaxy A15 offer sharper, more vibrant displays at similar price points.
Performance & Software
Powered by the Unisoc T606 processor with 6GB of RAM, the Pulse Pro struggles to handle more demanding tasks. Apps can be slow to load, and multitasking often results in noticeable lag. The built-in virtual RAM boost helps smooth some performance issues, but overall, it falls short, especially for gaming or heavier app use. The lack of 5G connectivity is also a downside, with only older Wi-Fi 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 5.0 supported. On a positive note, it runs near-stock Android 14, which is clean but lacks the performance punch needed for smoother navigation.
Camera Performance
The Pulse Pro’s 50MP main camera and 2MP depth sensor offer disappointing results. Photos lack contrast and sharpness, often appearing flat and washed out. The phone also struggles in low-light conditions, and night mode barely makes a difference in enhancing image quality. Selfies are acceptable but not impressive, and the camera is slow to focus, making it difficult to capture quick shots. Competitors like the Redmi Note 13 and Galaxy A15 deliver better camera performance for the same price.
Battery Life & Repairability
With a 5,000mAh battery, the Pulse Pro provides decent battery life, lasting a full day of light to moderate use. However, charging is slow despite support for 20W fast charging. Another key highlight is its repairability—parts are easily replaceable, making it a sustainable option for those who prefer to keep their devices longer. This is a big win for eco-conscious users but doesn’t entirely make up for the phone's other shortcomings.
Who It’s For
- Eco-Conscious Users: Those looking for a phone they can repair themselves and avoid electronic waste.
- Light Users: Suitable for people who need a basic smartphone for calls, social media, and light browsing.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: For users looking for the most affordable smartphone with Android 14 and repairability features.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
While the HMD Pulse Pro has a few commendable features like repairability and a decent battery life, it falls short in performance, camera quality, and display resolution. It’s a good choice for eco-conscious users or those who just need a basic smartphone, but there are better alternatives in the budget market for anyone looking for higher specs and better user experience.
Pros
- Eco-Friendly and Repairable Design: Partnering with iFixit, HMD designed the Pulse Pro to be user-repairable, allowing easy replacement of parts like the battery and screen, which promotes sustainability and reduces electronic waste. This is ideal for eco-conscious users seeking a more repair-friendly device.
- Affordable Price: At around $299, it’s a budget-friendly choice for users who prioritize basic functionality and sustainability over high-end specs.
- Decent Battery Life: The 5,000mAh battery generally supports all-day use for light to moderate tasks, making it suitable for casual users who don’t rely heavily on power-draining apps
Cons
- Low Display Resolution: The 6.56-inch 720p display lacks the sharpness found in similarly priced phones with Full HD displays, impacting viewing quality, particularly for streaming and gaming.
- Underwhelming Camera Performance: The 50MP main camera produces average-quality images, often lacking contrast and sharpness, and struggles significantly in low-light conditions. Competing models, such as the Redmi Note 13, offer better camera quality in this price range.
- Limited Processing Power: Equipped with a Unisoc T606 processor, the Pulse Pro is not designed for demanding tasks or multitasking. Performance lags can occur with gaming or running multiple apps, and the absence of 5G connectivity further limits its modern use potential
Key Features
- Repair-Friendly Design: With access to parts and repair guides through iFixit, users can easily repair the device themselves, a unique feature for budget phones.
- Basic Hardware Specs: 6GB RAM with optional virtual RAM boost, 128GB storage, and support for 20W charging, although charging speeds are slower than many competitors.
- Near-Stock Android 14: Comes with a clean Android experience, but without significant performance enhancements or heavy customizations, it may feel lacking in fluidity for users accustomed to high-speed processing
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