HMD is actively bringing a lot of new smartphones these days. The latest one to arrive in the market is HMD Aura. It has been launched in Australia, targeting the entry-level market. This article provides an in-depth look at the design, specifications, and pricing of the HMD Aura, equipping you with the necessary information to determine if this smartphone meets your needs.
Minimalist Design
The HMD Aura appears different than previous offerings like HMD Vibe. It has no square camera module, but rather just two sensors sitting vertically on the rear side. Along with the cameras, there is a fingerprint reader. However, the high positioning of the fingerprint reader might affect user comfort. It should be sitting a little at the center for a comfortable experience. Despite this design flaw, the smartphone has a clean, minimalist design. It comes in two color options including Glacier Green and Indigo Black. From the front, it looks like a typical budget phone with a teardrop notch.
HMD Aura Specifications
The HMD Aura comes with a 6.56” display. It has a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 900 x 1,600px. This resolution is adequate for basic tasks like browsing, but users might notice a lack of clarity compared to FHD+ displays. Notably, the resolution on HMD Aura is higher than the previously launched HMD Pulse having a 720 x 1,612px resolution.
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Another potential drawback is the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, which may struggle with intensive tasks due to its 28nm process. The processor is paired with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. For comparison, Oppo A18, which is a similarly priced phone comes with a Helio G85 processor that is based on a 12nm process and offers better performance. For more storage, the phone allows the use of a microSD card for up to 256GB of additional storage.
The camera segment is also basic with a dual setup comprising a 13MP primary and depth sensor. On the front, there is a teardrop notch housing a 5MP shooter for selfies and video calls. If we talk about the positives of the smartphone, then a huge 5000mAh battery can be one. However, it is limited to just 10W charging support which is quite slower than other phones in a similar price range.
In the software department, the phone comes with Android 13 OS. Do note that this is not the latest version of Android. Though, the company claims 2 years of security updates. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 4 (n), Bluetooth 4.2, and GPS. Finally, the phone comes with warranty of 2 years.
Pricing of HMD Aura
According to GSMARENA, HMD Aura has arrived in Australia with a price tag of AUD 180 (~$118) for a 4/64GB configuration. Availability in other regions is not confirmed yet.
Conclusion
That said, HMD Aura is a decent option for normal tasks but may fall short in performance compared to some competitors. The target market is users with low requirements for their phones such as browsing or general usage. However, HMD should consider offering at least 18W fast charging and the latest Android OS to stay competitive. For example, Moto G04, available in the same price category, provides 15W fast charging and the latest Android 14 OS.
