The HMD Pulse Pro, with its promising specs and attractive price point, caught my attention right away. After spending some time with this phone, I can confidently say that it packs a lot of punch for its price. Here’s my deep dive into what makes the HMD Pulse Pro stand out in the crowded budget smartphone market.

Design and Display: A Balanced Approach

Let’s start with the design. The HMD Pulse Pro doesn’t shy away from showing off its curves and build. With a 6.65-inch HD+ display, the phone feels solid in hand and provides a decent screen-to-body ratio. The 90Hz refresh rate is a nice touch, offering smooth scrolling and a more responsive feel when navigating through apps and menus. At a peak brightness of 600 nits, the display holds up well even under direct sunlight, though the HD+ resolution might feel a tad underwhelming for those used to Full HD displays. Nonetheless, for its price range, the display delivers satisfactory clarity and color reproduction.

Performance and Software: Smooth Sailing

Under the hood, the Pulse Pro is powered by the UNISOC T606 chipset. This processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM, ensures that the phone handles everyday tasks with ease. Whether you’re multitasking, browsing the web, or engaging in casual gaming, the Pulse Pro performs consistently without noticeable lag. What’s particularly impressive is the virtual memory extension feature, which allows you to effectively double your RAM to 16GB. This is especially useful when running multiple apps simultaneously, giving you a smoother experience overall.

The Pulse Pro runs on Android 14, which is a significant plus in the budget segment. It means you’re getting the latest features and improvements Google has to offer, along with a promise of better security and performance.

Camera: AI-Powered Photography

When it comes to cameras, the HMD Pulse Pro is equipped with a 50MP dual-rear camera setup. The AI-powered features ensure that your photos are enhanced for better quality, with sharper details and more vibrant colors. The AI HDR feature helps in capturing photos in tricky lighting conditions, balancing out the shadows and highlights for a more even exposure. On the front, the 50MP AI-powered selfie camera is a rare find in this price range.

Battery Life and Charging: Reliable and Fast

Battery life is often a make-or-break factor for smartphones, and the Pulse Pro doesn’t disappoint. The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts through a full day of moderate use, including browsing, streaming, and social media. The 20W fast charging support ensures that you can top up the battery quickly, reducing downtime. While it’s not the fastest charging out there, it’s certainly competitive for its price range.

Additional Features: Convenience and Durability

The Pulse Pro also packs a few more surprises, like the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio port and mono loudspeaker, which are becoming rare in newer smartphones. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor and face unlock provide quick and secure access to your device, and the IP52 rating gives it a bit of dust and water resistance, adding a layer of durability. Connectivity options like 4G LTE, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5, NFC, and GPS round out the package, ensuring that the phone meets modern connectivity standards.

Final Verdict: A Worthy Contender

Overall, the HMD Pulse Pro is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a lot of value for its price. It might not be a flagship killer, but for those looking for a reliable, affordable device with modern features, it’s a strong contender. The performance is solid, the cameras are impressive for the price, and the battery life won’t leave you hanging. If you’re in the market for a budget smartphone that doesn’t cut too many corners, the Pulse Pro should definitely be on your radar.