HMD

HMD smartphones — the brand and its models

HMD Global is a company from Espoo, Finland, which for years made Nokia phones and now sells smartphones under its own HMD brand. Its hallmark is repairability — the HMD Skyline, with a 6.55-inch OLED screen and a 144 Hz refresh rate, uses a second-generation design in which the back opens with a screw, and parts and guides are supplied by iFixit. Phones from the Pulse series belong to the first generation of this programme and also let you replace the battery, among other parts, yourself.

This category has accessories for the Pulse, Pulse+, Pulse Pro, Skyline, Crest, Crest Max, Fusion, Arc and Key, as well as for the XR21 and the T21 tablet. Protection for older phones sold under the Nokia brand is in the Nokia category.

HMD phone glass and film — types of screen protection

Hybrid and tempered glass

Hybrid glass is flexible and thin, yet scratch-resistant. Tempered glass with a black frame and full-surface adhesive gives stiffer protection against cracks. Full adhesive prevents bubbles and the rainbow effect.

Hydrogel, ceramic and matte films

• Hydrogel film — flexible, conforms to the edges of the screen.
• Ceramic film — harder, with a black frame that masks the edges.
• Matte film — reduces glare and fingerprints.
• Antibacterial film — with a coating that limits the growth of microbes.

Privacy glass

It narrows the viewing angle, so people next to you cannot see what is on the screen. A good solution for working while travelling.

Back film and camera glass for HMD

Back films protect the rear panel from scratches and scuffs. On HMD phones they are especially useful if you plan to do your own repairs — the film has to be removed before opening the back cover, and a new one can be applied after replacing the battery. Camera glass protects the lenses from scratches when the phone lies face-up on a table or goes into a pocket with keys.

How to choose protection for your HMD model?

• Model name — the Pulse, Pulse+ and Pulse Pro look similar, but not every accessory fits all three. Check the name in the product description.
• How you use it — for everyday pocket carry, hybrid or tempered glass works well; for reading in the sun, matte film.
• Charging — for phones with USB-C, a spare wall charger will come in handy.

Other manufacturers, including budget brands such as Infinix, are in the Other brands category.