In my 9 years as a tech journalist, I have tested countless budget phones and have never had to worry about bringing a backup in case of issues. However, my experience with the HMD Fusion on a recent trip to another state was a different story. The first unit I received kept freezing and restarting, and even refused to recognize my passcode at times. Despite HMD’s inability to replicate the issues, they sent me a replacement unit which has been working perfectly fine. What sets this $300 phone apart from others is its focus on repairability and modular components called “Outfits” that can change the phone’s appearance and transfer data through pogo pins on the back. Overall, the HMD Fusion is a decent budget phone with a unique feature that sets it apart from others in its price range.
