HMD Pulse+ review
The Pulse+ suits buyers in markets where phones last years rather than seasons and DIY repair matters—people who value a replaceable battery and wired headphones over screen sharpness and charging speed. Anyone chasing modern performance, gaming, or a crisp display should look elsewhere.
This review is based on HMD’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the HMD Pulse+, 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 Pulse+ is a durability-first budget phone that trades screen sharpness for a user-replaceable 5000mAh battery and repairability. It delivers solid all-day runtime and a 3.5mm jack, but the 720p display and 10W charging mean you'll need patience and lower expectations elsewhere.
Design & build
At 187g and 8.5mm thick, the Pulse+ sits comfortably in hand and pockets. The larger 6.65-inch frame keeps it slim enough to not feel chunky for its size. Dust and splash resistance means you don't need a bulky case for peace of mind in humid climates or messy environments—a real convenience at this price that flagships often take for granted. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is reliably responsive.
Display
Here is where you live with a real compromise. At 265 ppi on a 6.65-inch screen, text and icons lack the crispness you'd see on a 300+ ppi display, and the softness becomes apparent when reading at arm's length. The 90Hz refresh does keep scrolling smooth and responsive, and the 480-nit brightness handles typical indoor light and outdoor glare reasonably well. The IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, but this is a display you buy for function, not visual polish. For a 2024 budget phone, 720p at this size is dated—most rivals in this tier stepped up to 1080p years ago.
Performance
The Unisoc T606 is entry-level silicon. Everyday tasks—messaging, email, social media, light web browsing—run without stuttering, and the octa-core layout keeps general multitasking fluid enough for daily use. The Mali-G57 GPU, however, shows its limits the moment you launch a 3D game or attempt video editing at high settings. Demanding apps will choke noticeably. This is a phone for people who do not game or edit on their handset; for content creation workflows or anything GPU-heavy, you will hit a wall fast.
Software
Android 14 out of the box is current, and HMD's software skin is minimal and inoffensive. No bloatware surprises here, and the OS delivers a clean, straightforward experience. You get microSDXC expansion, which is useful at 128GB base storage, though the Unisoc chipset means heavy app loads still feel sluggish compared to mainstream processors.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor captures decent detail in bright daylight and handles HDR reasonably to balance sky and foreground. Low-light performance is typical for a budget phone—noisy and soft. The 8MP selfie is adequate for video calls. Video maxes out at 1080p@30fps, which is entry-level quality with no slow-motion modes or meaningful stabilization. For someone who shoots the occasional snapshot, this is fine; for anyone who treats their phone as a serious camera, the limitations show quickly.
Battery & charging
This is the Pulse+'s strongest card. The 5000mAh battery (user-replaceable, which matters for long-term use) delivers about 1.5 to 2 days of light browsing or roughly a full day of moderate-to-heavy use. The real win is repairability: when the battery ages in three or four years, you swap it yourself instead of replacing the whole phone. The 10W charging speed is slow—expect 2+ hours from empty—so you need to plan charging sessions rather than grab a quick top-up. By 2024 standards, rivals in this tier often offer 30W or higher. On the flip side, 10W means less heat and stress on long-term battery health.
Value & verdict
At roughly €90, the Pulse+ is aimed at users who keep phones for 4+ years and need reliability over speed. The user-replaceable battery, 3.5mm jack, and dust/splash resistance are genuinely useful features that most modern phones dropped to save a few grams. You are not paying for fast charging, sharp screens, or gaming performance; you are paying for durability and repairability. In markets where phone replacement is costly and service access is limited, that trade-off makes sense. For anyone who upgrades every 1–2 years or demands a smooth display and responsive performance, this phone asks you to compromise too much.
Verdict
The Pulse+ suits buyers in markets where phones last years rather than seasons and DIY repair matters—people who value a replaceable battery and wired headphones over screen sharpness and charging speed. Anyone chasing modern performance, gaming, or a crisp display should look elsewhere.
- User-replaceable 5000mAh battery means real longevity without a trip to service
- 3.5mm headphone jack and NFC in a €90 phone is rare now
- Dust and splash resistance handles daily bumps and spills without a case
- Decent 50MP main camera with HDR for everyday shots in daylight
- 720p on a 6.65-inch screen makes text and icons visibly soft at normal reading distance
- 10W charging takes 2+ hours from empty, forcing you to plan ahead
- Unisoc T606 struggles with 3D games and any demanding multitasking
HMD Pulse+ Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 24 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.65 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Durability | Dust and splash resistant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
HMD Pulse+ FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Pulse+ support 5G?
No. The Pulse+ tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Pulse+ use?
The Pulse+ runs on the Unisoc T606 (12 nm).
What display does the Pulse+ have?
A 6.65 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~265 ppi density).
How big is the Pulse+ battery?
The Pulse+ has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the Pulse+ have NFC?
Yes, the Pulse+ has NFC.
Is the Pulse+ water resistant?
The Pulse+ carries a Dust and splash resistant rating.
Does the Pulse+ support a microSD card?
Yes, the Pulse+ supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Pulse+ have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Pulse+ has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Pulse+ isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Pulse Pro
Vibe 4G
Aura
Crest
Galaxy M06 5G
