HMD Fusion: A Modular Smartphone with Niche Appeal
The HMD Fusion enters the competitive smartphone market with a unique proposition: customizable functionality through interchangeable "Smart Fusion Outfits." Priced at £229, the Fusion offers decent specifications for its price range, including a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of expandable storage. While capable of handling everyday tasks like social media and web browsing, its 720p display and average performance preclude more demanding applications. Software support is limited to two Android version updates and three years of security patches, leaving users with Android 16 as the final update in early 2026. While these core features place the Fusion squarely within the mid-range segment, its modular case system aims to differentiate it from the competition.
The Smart Fusion Outfits connect to the phone via six electrical contacts on the back, enabling power, data, and control functions. HMD showcased a range of outfits, including a ring light for enhanced photography (Flashy Outfit), a ruggedized case for improved protection (Rugged Outfit), and a gamepad for gaming (Gaming Outfit). The review unit included the Flashy Outfit, a simple yet effective ring light that illuminates subjects for both front and rear cameras. While functional, the tight fit of the outfits makes switching between them a cumbersome process. The core concept of modularity holds promise, but its success hinges on user adoption and the development of a robust ecosystem of outfits.
The Fusion’s modular design evokes memories of past attempts at modular smartphones, notably Motorola’s Moto Mods and Nokia’s interchangeable shells for the Lumia 820. These earlier efforts, while innovative, failed to gain widespread traction due to limited handset sales and a lack of sustained manufacturer support. HMD is attempting to address these historical challenges by openly providing design files and specifications, empowering individuals and third-party manufacturers to create their own Smart Fusion Outfits. This open approach, however, faces the challenge of attracting a significant user base to incentivize widespread development and adoption of custom outfits.
HMD’s target audience for the Fusion remains somewhat ambiguous. While the customizable case system appeals to tinkerers and makers, the phone’s overall specifications, including the plastic construction, limited display resolution, and locked bootloader, might deter this tech-savvy demographic. The Fusion’s limited software update policy further dampens its appeal for those who prioritize long-term software support. The mass consumer market, already saturated with compelling options from established brands, is unlikely to be swayed by the Fusion’s niche modularity.
A more likely target market for the Fusion lies within the enterprise sector. Bulk B2B sales, coupled with the potential for custom-designed outfits tailored to specific business needs, could prove to be a viable strategy. Imagine outfits equipped with barcode scanners, RFID readers, or specialized sensors for industrial applications – the possibilities are vast. This targeted approach could carve a niche for the Fusion in specific professional environments where its modularity offers a genuine advantage.
The HMD Fusion represents a bold experiment in modular smartphone design. While its consumer appeal remains uncertain, the potential for enterprise adoption and the open approach to customization offer glimmers of hope. Whether the Fusion can overcome the challenges that plagued previous modular phone attempts remains to be seen. Its success hinges on attracting a dedicated user base and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of Smart Fusion Outfits, a task that requires significant effort from both HMD and the wider developer community.
