HMD Arc review
The Arc suits someone in a cost-sensitive market who prioritizes long battery life, a headphone jack, and dust resistance over performance or display sharpness. Anyone working with demanding apps or scrolling through photo-heavy interfaces should look elsewhere.
This review is based on HMD’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the HMD Arc, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The HMD Arc is a bare-bones Android Go phone aimed squarely at users in price-sensitive markets who need reliable basics and long battery life without any excess. Its weak processor and low-resolution display are real drawbacks, but the 5000mAh battery, headphone jack, and microSD slot make it practical for messaging, calls, and light apps.
Design & build
The Arc is thin and light at 9mm and 185g, which makes one-handed use genuinely comfortable during long calls or browsing. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast enough for basic unlocking. IP54 rating—dust sealed and splash resistant—is a practical touch that most phones at this price omit; it will not survive a dunk, but it handles pocket lint, kitchen splashes, and rain better than unrated competition. The form factor feels compact for its 6.52-inch screen, though the edges are plain plastic and there is nothing about the design that makes you want to show it off.
Display
At 576 x 1280 pixels across 6.52 inches, the density sits at 215 ppi, which is below what most phones have shipped with for the past five years. Text and icons have a noticeably soft edge, and fine details blur slightly at arm's length. The 460 nits peak brightness is adequate indoors and overcast; in bright sunlight, you will feel the need to max the brightness, and even then, reading is a strain. The 20:9 ratio gives you extra vertical space for scrolling, which helps balance the weak sharpness.
Performance
The Unisoc SC9863A is an entry-level processor from 2019–2020, and it shows. With 4GB of RAM, this phone handles messaging, calls, and light social media use without drama. Open a game, switch between five apps, or try to edit a video, and lag becomes the rhythm of your day. Apps launch noticeably slower than phones with mid-range chips, and multitasking is choppy. Android 14 Go edition is stripped down to reduce bloat, which helps, but the core hardware just cannot keep pace with the demands of modern apps.
Camera
The 13MP main sensor with autofocus captures acceptable shots in good daylight and indoors with flash; colors are flat, detail is modest, and noise creeps in quickly once the light dips. The 5MP selfie camera is functional for video calls on Wi-Fi but produces soft, grainy results. There is no ultrawide, macro, or telephoto—just the one lens—which is a limitation, though hardly unusual at this price. Video records at 1080p, but the low processor power means frame rates and stabilization are basic. This is a camera for snapshots and documentation, not for anyone who cares about photo quality.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery is the Arc's strongest feature. On mixed use—light browsing, messaging, calls, and some video—it easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days before it needs a charge. This is a genuine advantage over rivals with smaller cells in the same price range. The downside is the 10W charger, which takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to reach full from empty. That is slow, even by entry-level standards, and if you charge nightly, it becomes a nightly wait. Fast charging would have made this device far more livable.
Connectivity & features
The Arc is LTE only—no 5G—and Wi-Fi tops out at 802.11n (standard for budget phones in 2024). Both are adequate for messaging, video calls, and regular streaming on stable networks. Bluetooth 5.2 works fine with headphones and speakers. There is no NFC, so mobile payments are out. The presence of FM radio and a headphone jack are genuine wins for regions where those matter; microSDXC expansion is also here, allowing storage bumps beyond the base 64GB.
Value & verdict
The HMD Arc is priced for developing markets and first-time phone buyers who need a reliable device for calls, messaging, and basic apps without breaking a tight budget. It delivers on those fronts: long battery life, practical durability, and a light weight make it a sensible daily phone. The Unisoc processor and soft display are real limitations, and charging speed is frustrating. Compared to rivals at this price, the battery capacity stands out; the weak performance and low resolution are ordinary trade-offs. This is not a phone with hidden reserves or clever optimization—it is exactly what the spec sheet promises: a basic, sturdy device that survives a day without anxiety about battery.
Verdict
The Arc suits someone in a cost-sensitive market who prioritizes long battery life, a headphone jack, and dust resistance over performance or display sharpness. Anyone working with demanding apps or scrolling through photo-heavy interfaces should look elsewhere.
- 5000mAh battery lasts roughly 1.5 to 2 days on mixed use, a genuine advantage over comparably priced rivals with smaller cells
- Headphone jack and microSD slot are present—useful features HMD retained when many competitors dropped them
- IP54 dust and splash resistance covers real-world drops and brief water contact, rare in this price tier
- Lightweight (185g) and thin (9mm) make it genuinely pocketable and easy to hold for long sessions
- Unisoc SC9863A processor is slow by 2024 standards; expect noticeable lag in games and heavy multitasking, and app launches feel sluggish
- 10W charging takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from empty, slow even for budget phones and a daily inconvenience if you charge nightly
- 576 x 1280 display at 215 ppi makes text and icons soft compared to standard 720p phones; 460 nits peak brightness struggle in direct sunlight
HMD Arc Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, December 18 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 460 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, (wide), AF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 14 (Go edition) |
| Dimensions | 166.4 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.55 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 185.4 g (6.53 oz) |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) - EU only |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C |
HMD Arc FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Arc support 5G?
No. The Arc tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Arc use?
The Arc runs on the Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm).
What display does the Arc have?
A 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 460 nits (peak), 576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~215 ppi density).
How big is the Arc battery?
The Arc has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the Arc have NFC?
No, the Arc does not list NFC support.
Is the Arc water resistant?
The Arc carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) - EU only rating.
Does the Arc support a microSD card?
Yes, the Arc supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Arc have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Arc has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Arc isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Aura 2
Arc 2
Touch 4G
101 4G
Play20C
