Exploring The HMD Aura: A Comprehensive Breakdown Of The Budget-Friendly Smartphone

Body

The HMD Aura is available in two stylish colors: Glacier Green and Indigo Black. While the exact dimensions and weight are not specified, the phone's design emphasizes comfort and practicality. Here are the relevant specs:

The HMD Aura’s design philosophy blends functionality with a touch of elegance, making it a suitable companion for both everyday use and special occasions. While the exact dimensions are not specified, we can make an educated guess based on the display size (6.56-inch diagonal) and aspect ratio (16:9). This places it within a comfortable size range that is easy to handle for most users.

The HMD Aura strikes a balance between screen real estate and overall device size. This makes it suitable for long usage sessions whether you're browsing the web, texting, or streaming videos. It’s also easy to carry around in a pocket or a bag without feeling cumbersome. This is particularly important for users who are always on the go and need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

The HMD Aura comes in two distinct colors: Glacier Green and Indigo Black. Each color option has its unique appeal, catering to different personalities and style preferences:

• Glacier Green: This color exudes a fresh and vibrant vibe, perfect for individuals who enjoy standing out with a splash of color. It’s ideal for younger users, creative professionals, and those who want their device to reflect a lively and dynamic personality. The green hue is also soothing to the eye, offering a refreshing break from the more common smartphone colors.
• Indigo Black: For those who prefer a more classic and timeless look, Indigo Black is the way to go. This color option appeals to professionals, minimalists, and anyone who values elegance and sophistication. The dark shade is not only sleek and stylish but also practical, as it tends to show fewer smudges and fingerprints.

In summary, the HMD Aura’s design and color options are thoughtfully crafted to cater to a wide range of users. Its dimensions make it comfortable to hold and easy to carry, while the color choices allow you to express your personal style. Whether you prefer the vibrant Glacier Green or the classic Indigo Black, the HMD Aura has something to offer for everyone.

IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

Ah, the lack of an official IP rating on the HMD Aura - a puzzle for many smartphone enthusiasts. It's not uncommon for budget smartphones to skip the official waterproof badge. These phones often focus on delivering key features at an affordable price point, and unfortunately, achieving a certified level of water resistance can add to the manufacturing costs. So, the absence of an IP rating on the HMD Aura isn't surprising in the budget-friendly domain.

Now, should you, as a potential buyer, be concerned? It depends on your lifestyle. If you're the type to accidentally drop your phone into puddles or have a habit of texting in the rain, you might want to exercise caution. However, for the average users who treat their device with care, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

To safeguard your device from the environmental elements, here are some practical tips:

• Protective Case: A good-quality protective case can be your phone's armor against accidental spills and minor impacts. Choose one that offers a raised lip around the screen for added protection.
• Screen Protector: A tempered glass screen protector is like a shield for your display. It not only guards against scratches but can also provide an extra layer of defense in case of a sudden meeting with a puddle.
• Be Mindful Around Water: As your HMD Aura does not have an official IP rating, exercising caution around water is wise. Keep it away from pools, sinks, and rainy days. If it does get a splash, a quick wipe should suffice.

In essence, a little proactive care can go a long way in keeping your HMD Aura in top-notch condition. While it might not be ready for a deep-sea dive, with the right precautions, it can certainly weather the everyday storms of life. So, suit it up with a protective case, slap on a screen protector, and go forth without the worry of water woes!

Display

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

The HMD Aura features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 900×1600 pixels, offering a 16:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 280 PPI. This ensures decent clarity and color reproduction for everyday use, whether you're browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games. Although it doesn't compete with the high resolutions of flagship devices, it provides a satisfactory viewing experience for its price range.

Image credit: JB Hi-Fi

Here are the relevant specs:

The HMD Aura's IPS LCD display offers a good balance of size and clarity for a budget-friendly smartphone. IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD displays are known for their vibrant color reproduction and wide viewing angles. The IPS technology provides more accurate and consistent color reproduction compared to older LCD types. This makes it ideal for tasks that require precise color rendering, such as photo viewing and video playback.

One of the standout features of IPS displays is their wide viewing angles. Colors and brightness levels remain consistent even when the screen is viewed from the side, making it great for sharing content with friends and family. IPS panels generally offer good brightness levels, making the screen readable in various lighting conditions, including bright outdoor environments.

The HMD Aura’s display has a resolution of 900×1600 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 280 pixels per inch (PPI). It provides adequate sharpness for most tasks. Text appears crisp, and images are reasonably detailed. While it may not offer the ultra-high definition experience of flagship devices, it is more than sufficient for typical smartphone activities, such as:

• Web Browsing: Text is clear and readable, making for a pleasant browsing experience.
• Social Media: Photos and videos on platforms like Instagram and Facebook look good, with sufficient detail and color accuracy.
• Streaming Videos: While it may not match the clarity of Full HD (1080p) or higher resolutions, 900×1600 pixels are sufficient for watching YouTube videos, Netflix shows, and other streaming content at acceptable quality.
• Gaming: Casual and mid-range games will run well and look good on this display, although high-end games with intricate graphics might reveal the resolution’s limitations.

While the display is sufficient for many uses, certain types of content and applications might demand higher resolution, such as:

• High-Resolution Media: If you regularly consume high-resolution content (such as 4K videos or high-definition streaming services), you might notice the difference in sharpness and detail.
• Graphic-Intensive Games: High-end games that rely on very detailed graphics and textures could benefit from a higher resolution, providing a more immersive experience.
• Professional Photo and Video Editing: For tasks that require extremely fine detail and precision, a higher resolution display would be more suitable.

In conclusion, the HMD Aura’s 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 900×1600 pixels offers a solid viewing experience for its price range. It’s well-suited for everyday tasks, casual gaming, and media consumption. While it may not deliver the ultra-high-definition experience of premium smartphones, it provides a good balance of color accuracy, viewing angles, and brightness, making it a reliable choice for budget-conscious users.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

Networking is the invisible thread that connects us all in the digital world! The vivo_V29_Pro, with its support for the networking quartet of GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G technologies, is like a well-connected socialite in the world of networks.

The HMD Aura supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring reliable connectivity for calls and data.

GSM and HSPA are the stalwarts, providing 2G and 3G connectivity, respectively. Then there's LTE, the foundation of modern 4G networks, delivering faster internet speeds and improved call quality.

SIM

The hybrid dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by) support offers flexibility for users who need to balance work and personal life on a single device.

The "hybrid" part means one of the SIM card slots serves a dual purpose. It can either hold a SIM card or a memory card for expandable storage - but not both simultaneously. This means you have to make a choice between expanding your device's storage capacity with a memory card and using two SIM cards.

Chipset: Performance

Under the hood, the HMD Aura is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, built on a 28-nm process. The octa-core CPU, consisting of two types of cores, along with the PowerVR GE8322 GPU, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. Here are the relevant specs:

The HMD Aura is equipped with the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, which is designed to balance performance and power efficiency for budget-friendly smartphones. This is a lower mid-range chipset built on a 28-nm process. While it’s not the most advanced in terms of manufacturing technology, it provides sufficient power for everyday tasks. This chipset is geared towards offering a reliable performance for budget devices without compromising on essential functionality.

The CPU in the Unisoc SC9863A1 features an octa-core setup, divided into two types of cores:

• 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A55: These cores are designed for higher performance tasks. They handle more demanding applications and processes, providing the necessary power for smooth operation. Tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming benefit from these performance cores.
• 4×1.2 GHz Cortex-A55: These cores are optimized for power efficiency. They take care of background tasks and less demanding applications, helping to conserve battery life. Activities such as email, messaging, and other light multitasking are managed by these efficiency cores.

This combination allows the HMD Aura to deliver a balanced performance, handling everyday tasks with ease while optimizing battery usage.

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in the HMD Aura is the PowerVR GE8322. This GPU is designed to handle basic graphics tasks efficiently. It can manage casual games and less demanding graphics applications smoothly. Games like Candy Crush, simple platformers, and puzzle games run well on this GPU. It supports video playback and basic graphic rendering, making it suitable for watching videos and streaming content.

With these components at the helm, the HMD Aura’s processing configuration is adequate for the following tasks:

• Web Browsing and Social Media: The phone handles web browsing and social media applications smoothly, providing a pleasant user experience.
• Multitasking: Light multitasking, such as switching between apps like email, messaging, and calendar, works well without noticeable lag.
• Media Consumption: Streaming videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix at standard resolutions is well within the phone’s capabilities.
• Casual Gaming: The phone can manage casual games and basic 2D games effectively.

However, while the HMD Aura is capable of handling everyday tasks efficiently, there are certain applications and tasks that would benefit from a more powerful configuration, such as:

• High-End Gaming: Games with intensive graphics and high processing demands, such as PUBG Mobile or Asphalt 9, may not run smoothly on this device. These games require more powerful GPUs and higher-performance CPUs.
• Heavy Multitasking: Running multiple demanding applications simultaneously, such as video editing software, high-resolution photo editing, and intensive productivity apps, may lead to noticeable slowdowns.
• Advanced Media Editing: Tasks like video editing, rendering, and processing high-resolution images require more powerful hardware to perform efficiently.

In summary, the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, with its octa-core CPU and PowerVR GE8322 GPU, equips the HMD Aura with enough processing power to handle everyday tasks smoothly. It’s well-suited for users who need a reliable and affordable smartphone for general use, including web browsing, social media, casual gaming, and media consumption. However, for power users and those who require high-performance capabilities for gaming, advanced multitasking, or media editing, a more powerful configuration would be necessary.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

The HMD Aura comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The inclusion of a microSD card slot allows you to expand storage if needed, making it easier to manage large amounts of media and apps without worrying about running out of space.

Camera Capabilities

The dual-camera setup on the HMD Aura includes a 13 MP wide-angle lens with autofocus and a secondary depth sensor. This combination allows for decent photo quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The LED flash helps in low-light scenarios, and the camera can record videos in 1080p at 30 fps.

For selfies, the phone features a 5 MP front camera, suitable for casual snaps and video calls.

Rear Camera

Image credit: JB Hi-Fi

The HMD Aura’s main camera setup includes a dual-camera system designed to cover basic photography needs while offering some versatility. Let's have a detailed look at the components and features of the main camera setup. Here are the relevant specs:

Specification	HMD Aura
Number of Cameras	2 (Dual)
Resolution (Megapixels)	13 MP (wide), N/A (auxiliary lens, depth sensor)
Autofocus	AF, N/A
Video Recording	1080p at 30 fps
Other Features	LED flash

The primary lens of the HMD Aura is a 13 MP wide-angle camera with autofocus (AF). This lens is the workhorse of the camera setup, responsible for capturing most of your photos. The wide-angle capability allows you to fit more into each shot, which is great for landscapes, group photos, and everyday photography.

The second lens is a depth sensor, which assists in creating a better sense of depth in your photos. This is particularly useful for portrait shots, where the depth sensor helps to create a bokeh effect (blurred background) that makes the subject stand out more prominently against a softly blurred background.

The primary lens is equipped with AF (Autofocus), which ensures that your subjects are sharply in focus. This feature is particularly important for quick, spontaneous shots and for maintaining clarity in various shooting conditions.

And the LED flash provides additional light when shooting in low-light conditions. This can be crucial for capturing details in dark environments and for nighttime photography.

The main camera setup of the HMD Aura is designed to handle a range of basic photography and videography needs, including:

• Daytime Photography: The 13 MP wide-angle lens is capable of capturing clear and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. Whether you're taking pictures of landscapes, cityscapes, or everyday moments, this camera can deliver decent results.
• Portrait Shots: The depth sensor enhances portrait photography by creating a pleasing bokeh effect, making your subjects stand out against a blurred background. This feature is ideal for capturing professional-looking portrait shots.
• Casual Photography: For casual users who need to snap quick photos of friends, family, or events, the HMD Aura’s camera setup is more than adequate. The autofocus helps ensure that your pictures are clear and sharp.
• Video Recording: The camera can record video at 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps), which is sufficient for capturing smooth and clear videos for social media, vlogs, and personal use.

While the HMD Aura’s camera setup is versatile and adequate for many everyday scenarios, there are certain photography and videography needs that might require a more powerful configuration, such as:

• Low-Light Photography: Despite the LED flash, the camera’s performance in low-light conditions may not match that of higher-end smartphones with larger sensors and advanced night modes. For those who frequently shoot in dim environments, a phone with superior low-light capabilities would be beneficial.
• High-Resolution and Professional Photography: For users who demand high-resolution images for professional use, such as in photography or media production, a more advanced camera system with higher megapixel counts and additional features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and larger sensors would be preferable.
• Advanced Videography: While 1080p video recording is sufficient for many users, those who require higher resolution video recording (such as 4K), higher frame rates, or advanced video features like stabilization and HDR will need a more powerful camera setup.

In conclusion, the HMD Aura’s main camera setup, featuring a 13 MP wide-angle lens with autofocus and a depth sensor, provides a solid foundation for everyday photography and videography. It’s well-suited for capturing clear and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions, creating pleasing portrait shots, and recording smooth 1080p videos.

However, for users with specialized photography needs, a more sophisticated camera system would be necessary. Overall, the HMD Aura’s camera offers good value and functionality for its price range, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious users.

Battery and Charging

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

One of the standout features of the HMD Aura is its 5000 mAh battery, which supports 10 W wired charging. This large battery ensures extended usage, allowing you to go through your day without constantly worrying about recharging. For a budget phone, this battery capacity is impressive and adds significant value.

Sound

(Related: Know more about the sound specs and features.)

Here are the relevant specs:

The HMD Aura features a loudspeaker and retains the cherished 3.5 mm jack.

Connectivity

With support for dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, the HMD Aura ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The HMD Aura features Bluetooth 4.2, ensuring a seamless and high-quality connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

The HMD Aura features GPS for accurate navigation and location services.

Unfortunately, NFC enthusiasts might feel a void here.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C 2.0 - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your device, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C 2.0 ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your device's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology.

Sensors

The HMD Aura comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is on the back of the HMD Aura.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is HMD Aura release date?

  The HMD Aura has been announced and released on the 23rd May, 2024..

• What is HMD Aura price?

  The HMD Aura is priced at AUD 179 (about USD 119).