Deciding when to give your teenager their first phone feels like walking a tightrope. As parents, we want to empower our kids while ensuring their safety in a world of doom-scrolling, social media pressures, and digital distractions.
For my family, my son and I have agreed to test out a range of phones this year to find the best option for his high school journey. First up? The HMD Skyline, a mid-range smartphone by Human Mobile Devices (HMD), which touts its Digital Detox Mode as a standout feature.
Here’s what we discovered during two months of putting it through its paces—both from my perspective as a parent and my son’s take as our resident Teen Techspert.
A Parent’s First Impressions: Thoughtful Features for Safe Tech Use
The HMD Skyline caught my eye because of its Digital Detox Mode, a feature designed to help users better manage phone use. With this mode, you can schedule app and contact restrictions, block notifications, and even change the phone’s wallpaper to a calming design. You can choose between two levels:
- Soft Lock allows temporary breaks, easily ended with a click if necessary.
- Hard Lock, on the other hand, is a firm commitment. Once activated, it locks the device into Detox Mode for a set period. The only way to override it is by rebooting the phone, an added layer of effort designed to prompt a moment of reflection before breaking your detox.
From a parenting perspective, I see immense value here. The feature provides a tangible way to teach balance and intentionality around tech use, while fostering discussions about when and why to disconnect.
From the adult side, I love that you can still use the phone as a work accessory, limiting only the most distracting, or tempting apps from use without restricting calls, emails, maps and other useful tools.
This thoughtful design sets the Skyline apart in a market saturated with distractions. Hats off to HMD for being ahead of the curve with recognising the need for a digital detox feature in our busy modern world.
The HMD Skyline in Action
As an Apple family, monitoring and managing shared & synced devices has been relatively seamless, but it can also a bit limiting (and expensive). Transitioning to the Skyline’s Android platform required some adjustments on my end, but my son had no such issues. Teenagers seem to adapt to new tech at lightning speed!
As an added bonus, it seems sharing large media files via android is a breeze. I needed to retrieve a video we recorded on the HMD which was about 45minutes long. As I geared up for the usual Apple Airdrop fiasco, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to simply send a link to my email and download the file to my computer. Seamless.
At AU$899, the Skyline is a half the cost of a new iPhone 16 (ranging from AU$1,399 to AU$2,489). That affordability, paired with impressive features like a sleek design, reliable performance, and thoughtful functionality, makes it a great option for teens. After all, it checks the two big boxes: it looks cool, and it works well.
Here’s what our Teen Techspert has to say:
HMD SKYLINE SMARTPHONE REVIEW: A TEENS PERSPECTIVE
Getting your first phone is a big deal—it’s the thing that keeps you connected, captures your memories, and (let’s be real) becomes your everyday sidekick. So, when I got my hands on the HMD Skyline during SXSW, I was pumped to see if it had what it takes to make the “perfect first phone” shortlist. Spoiler: it’s a legit contender. Here’s how the Skyline held up after a week of photos, calls, and navigating the chaos of Sydney.
First Impressions
When David from Closer Communications heard I was on the hunt for my first phone, he hooked me up with the HMD Skyline to test out during SXSW. It was delivered to me at the Novotel, and the first thing I noticed was the packaging… and the colour! The phone on the box was pink (eek!) but when I opened it up, the actual phone was bright blue (phew). I’d been hoping for Twisted Black, but honestly, the blue grew on me. It’s bold, fun, and way cooler than I expected.
The first win? How fast it charged out of the box. Within minutes, I was setting it up right in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, avoiding a long awkward wait on the foyer lounge.
Skyline Camera: A Teen Techspert @ SXSW’s content dream.
If there’s one feature that stood out immediately, it’s the camera system. The 50MP selfie camera is perfect for snapping selfies, with autofocus and eye-tracking to make sure your pics are always sharp. The coolest part? You don’t even have to press a button! You just make a hand gesture—like the peace sign—and the camera does its thing. I tried this so many times during SXSW and felt like I was starring in my own ad.
The 108MP triple rear camera is equally insane. I played around with the portrait mode, and the bokeh effect makes it look like I hired a pro photographer. Wide shots, close-ups, and 4x zoom—everything looked crisp. There’s even AI Capture Fusion to make zoomed-in shots extra detailed. Whether I was snapping quirky gadgets, following UTS’s Robotic Dog or capturing video of the activations, the Skyline totally delivered.
The SXSW Experience: Living the Skyline Life
SXSW is the kind of event where you’re constantly on the move—taking photos, swapping contact info, and occasionally losing your mum in the expo hall. (Yep, that happened.) The HMD Skyline became key to giving me a lot more independence at the event. I could be at the gaming stations while Mum was off doing her business things.
I used it to enter competitions, keep track of sessions, and even connect with 10 new LinkedIn followers. The P-OLED display was a standout—it’s got perfect blacks, vibrant colours, and it’s just the right size at 6.5 inches. Watching videos and scrolling through apps felt super smooth, thanks to the 185Hz refresh rate.
The battery life was also next-level. With up to 48 hours of power, I didn’t have to worry about it dying during a packed day. And when I did need to recharge, the Qi2 magnetic wireless charging was super slick and easy.
DIY Repairs: FIY is the New Cool
Let’s talk about repairability, because this feature is such a flex. If you crack your screen or mess up the charging port, you can fix it yourself with tools from iFixit kits (or similar). I didn’t have any accidents during my test (thankfully!), and the idea of snapping off a broken screen and replacing it in minutes is a game-changer. Plus, it’s way cheaper than taking your phone to a repair shop, and it’s good for the planet.
Detox Mode: A Cool Idea
The Digital Detox Mode is HMD’s way of helping people manage their screen time. I started using it from 5 PM to 7 AM, and at first, it was great. It reminded me to put my phone down and actually be present. But after a few days, I found I didn’t need it—I just kind of naturally started taking breaks. Even so, it’s a smart feature for anyone who struggles to unplug. (Parents, take note!)
The Downsides
No phone is perfect, and the Skyline has a couple of things that could be better.
- Accessories: Finding a case was a hassle. Because the Skyline is new, there aren’t many options yet. I ended up with a generic case (here if you’re looking), which was fine but not exciting.
- Price: At AU$899, it’s not cheap. It’s definitely worth it for the features, but if you’re on a tight budget, you might find other phones with similar specs for less.
Final Thoughts: Is the Skyline the One?
After two months with the Skyline, I can confidently say it’s a next-level first phone. The cameras are awesome, the repairability is super practical, and the detox mode is a nice touch that helped it pass the ‘parent test’ at my house. It’s got a mix of style and functionality that works for teens like me and probably for parents too.
Would I recommend it? Totally. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable, fun phone with cool extras. That said, I’d still like to road-test a few other options to see how the Skyline stacks up in a head-to-head comparison.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
If you’re looking for a phone that can handle your selfies, keep up with your day, and look good while doing it, the HMD Skyline is definitely worth considering.
This Mum’s Thoughts, Two Months In
Having the HMD Skyline has sparked deeper conversations about tech’s role in our lives. Instead of handing over a phone with a blanket set of rules, we’ve opened the door to discussions about screen time, the pros and cons of social media, and the value of disconnecting.
Surprisingly, my son has been more responsible with this phone than I expected. Not necessarily in the “always-charged-and-perfectly-maintained” sense, but in how he uses it. The Digital Detox Mode has been a catalyst for discussions about balance and self-regulation, helping him understand our boundaries instead of just enforcing them.
Tips for First-Phone Beginnings
If you’re in the market for a first phone for your child, here’s what’s worked for us:
- Set up a contract. Lay out the rules together before the phone is handed over, and make it a collaborative process.
- Make it a conversation. Focus on mutual understanding, not just “because I said so.”
- Watch The Social Dilemma (with your kids) This thought-provoking documentary is a great jumping-off point for discussions about tech’s impact on our lives.
- Check out this video (with your kids)about the impacts of social media on teenagers, and see how Australia is leading the way, holding big tech companies accountable to create safer digital spaces for our kids.
For families considering alternatives to premium devices, the HMD Skyline is an excellent mid-range option that balances affordability, functionality, and family-friendly features. It’s cool enough to pass the “teen test” and practical enough to reassure parents—a win-win in my book.
With more phones to review this year, I’m curious to see how the Skyline stacks up against others, from nostalgic “dumb phones” to fully-loaded smartphones.
For now, it’s safe to say the HMD Skyline delivers a promising balance between parent-approved features and teen-friendly functionality.
Stay tuned for updates—and in the meantime, check out my Nokia 3210 review for a walk down memory lane from the other end of the phone spectrum.
