HMD Touts Repairability of New Lost-Cost Pulse Phones

HMD is emphasizing sustainability in its latest lineup of phones. The Pulse, Pulse+, and Pulse Pro are all user repairable, with the company offering step-by-step instructions and low-cost equipment bundles to make the process as easy as possible. The phones are affordable, but lack 5G support, instead relying on 3G and 4G networks. The Pulse lineup launches this week in Europe, while a non-repairable Vibe phone will be sold exclusively in the US. 

HMD Pulse Pro

(Credit: HMD)

The Pulse Pro runs a Unisoc T606 processor and comes with three configurations: 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you need more storage, the phone supports a microSD card up to 256GB. The phone has a 6.56-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate with up to 600 nits of peak brightness. 

You’ll also get a 50MP main camera, along with a 50MP selfie camera and an IP52 rating for light splash and dust protection. The Pulse Pro runs on Android 14 and HMD promises two years of OS upgrades and three years of quarterly security updates. It’s available in Glacier Green, Black Ocean, or Twilight Purple and starts at €179.

HMD Pulse+

(Credit: HMD)

The Pulse+ also comes with the same Unisoc T606 processor and 6.56- inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate found on the Pulse Pro. Similarly, it also features a 50MP main camera, but instead offers only an 8MP selfie camera.

Like the Pulse Pro, it comes in three storage and memory configurations, though the storage tops out at 128GB instead of 256GB. You’ll be able to grab the Pulse+ in either 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or  8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Add up to 256GB of storage through a microSD card. The Pulse+ also has the same IP52 rating as the Pulse Pro, which will protect against dust and light splashes.

The Pulse+ runs on Android 14 and HMD continues to promise two years of OS upgrades and three years of quarterly security updates. The phone will come in Glacier Green, Midnight Blue and a peach Apricot Crush and starts at €159.

HMD Pulse

(Credit: HMD)

The Pulse may be the most affordable phone in this lineup, but it still offers the Unisoc T606 processor and 6.56- inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. 

The main differences are the configurations and the camera. You can grab the Pulse with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Again, they’re expandable up to 256GB via microSD.

There’s only a 13MP main camera on the Pulse, along with an 8MP selfie camera, though the device still has an IP52 rating to protect against dust and splashes. The phone is available in Atmos Blue, Meteor Black, and Dreamy Pink and starts at €139.

HMD Vibe

(Credit: HMD)

The Vibe is another low-cost phone from HMD that is arriving exclusively in the US. It is not user repairable, but will cost only $39 when purchased locked through Verizon or Tracfone. It runs on the Snapdragon 680 processor and has a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It features a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth camera, along with a 5MP front camera for selfies. 

The Verizon version of the phone comes with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, though the company plans to sell a more expensive, unlocked model that will have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $149.  Like the Pulse family, it’s rated IP52 for dust and splash protection. 

The phone comes only in black and runs on Android 14, but the company does not specify any further software support.