HMD Skyline Review: The First Qi2 Android Smartphone Leave a comment

The primary Android smartphone function I have been wanting ahead to in 2024 is Qi2. That is the brand new wi-fi charging customary that permits a MagSafe-like magnetic charging system, very similar to what’s obtainable on trendy iPhones. It lets you magnetically pop on a battery pack, or magnetically stick your cellphone to a Qi2 charger for excellent alignment and quicker wi-fi charging speeds. It even opens up different equipment, like magnetic tripods, digital camera equipment, and my favorites: magnetic car docks and bike mounts.

You may then perceive my frustration when each Android cellphone introduced this yr has but to function the brand new charging customary. Even the not too long ago introduced Google Pixel 9 collection nonetheless makes use of the older Qi customary. The exception? HMD’s Skyline, a brand new system from the corporate that beforehand solely made Nokia-branded phones. It is the world’s first Qi2-certified Android cellphone available on the market, however that is not the one factor that makes it distinctive—it is also user-repairable and is available in a scorching neon-pink shade (!).

Magnetic Android

The very first thing I did after organising the Skyline was pop it on a MagSafe wi-fi charger I had mendacity round. It connected magnetically! Hooray! Besides it did not cost. Bizarre. I then took it to a traditional wi-fi charger and had no luck. I attempted it on greater than 5 wi-fi chargers, some a mixture of Qi and others MagSafe-certified, and the cellphone did not recharge on any of them. Cue my disappointment.

The Qi2 customary is meant to be backward appropriate with Qi, that means your older wi-fi chargers ought to nonetheless be capable to recharge Qi2 telephones. So what provides? Properly, it seems the magnetic wi-fi charging coils might not line up with all Qi chargers, MagSafe or not. Some Qi chargers will work (HMD shared a preliminary checklist of a number of), however extra seemingly than not, you could have to purchase a Qi2 charger. I requested Nomad to ship me its new Qi2 Stand and the Skyline began recharging immediately once I plopped it on. I do not love this limitation however not less than there is a resolution.

All is just not rosy. Even when the Skyline magnetically sticks to this Qi2 wi-fi charging stand, the power of the magnetic connection is not nice. The cellphone began tilting to the aspect and, by itself, rotated horizontally as a result of it is barely top-heavy. Examine this to my Pixel 8 Professional with a Peak Design MagSafe case, which stays completely nonetheless on the identical charger as a result of the magnets within the case are a lot stronger.

This makes me involved about once I’d need to connect different magnetic equipment to the Skyline—will they simply fall off that a lot simpler? I am pleased that I lastly get the magnetic advantages of Qi2 in an Android cellphone, however I hope that is only a lackluster implementation and never an indication of issues to come back.

Customary Android

The Skyline is an in any other case completely high quality Android cellphone. I like its rectangular design, onerous flat edges and all. The neon pink is particularly enjoyable, and I am glad HMD is daring sufficient to supply loud and proud colours. The entire thing is a bit slippery although. There is not any headphone jack, however HMD does supply a microSD card slot to go together with 256 GB of inside storage.

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu