this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2024

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HMD Skyline: The mid-range Android that lets you fix it (www.theregister.com)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 98 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (8 children)

3 years of updates.....

I don't see it listed as supported by lineage OS. That tells me the bootloader isn't open.

In fact, when they forgot to lock the bootloader, they fixed it, and said there was a mistake and they will never make the bootloader available.

https://www.xda-developers.com/nokia-7-2-unlockable-bootloader/

So yeah, fuck these guys, oh look a consumer first repairable phone that you can't install software on f*** you (HMD/Nokia)

I would not be angry, except they're trying to market themselves as consumer friendly, tinker friendly, repairable. So not letting you run software, and only giving you 3 years of updates, is antithetical to that. It's such a contradiction it's an insult

[–] [email protected] 26 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I don’t see it listed as supported by lineage OS. That tells me the bootloader isn’t open.

It released one month ago. Even if the bootloader were unlockable, it wouldn't be officially supported by LineageOS yet. Someone actually needs to buy the phone, build for it and then maintain that build. For a popular custom ROM series like the Pixels or something, sure they will be supported very quickly, but other models often take quite a bit longer to be supported. Most people who buy this phone will not be buying it to immediately install LineageOS.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I agree with what you said. Lineage OS is not the only indicator, but it is a strong indicator. Do you have any evidence that the bootloader is unlocked?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 months ago

Thanks for this comment.

Sounds very idiotic to say an android phone is repairable, as the main marketing point, and then lock the bootloader. This doesn't make sense to me, or most others I would presume.

[–] mnmalst 18 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Yeah my exact thoughts. Repairable phones are mostly useless if the vendor blobs don't get updated anymore after x years. Until we have an open ecosystem, as we have on desktop PCs, repairable phones are only good on paper.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 months ago

The bar is so low, all they have to do is leave the bootloader unlocked, which they've done by accident already, and everyone would be happy and give them praise.

I don't know what they gain by keeping the bootloader locked, maybe somebody thinks it'll force new phone sales?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I've never had to change phones because I've broken my phone they always just stop being supported. Repairability is nice but continued support or a way to a different OS that is supported is much more useful

[–] mnmalst 5 points 3 months ago

Exactly!

I am in the same boat right now. I still use a Pixel 4a. It's a great device, has exactly the size and performance I need, perfect condition but I don't get updates anymore. It's insane that in a time where resources get a real problem this is still allowed. If they can't support it at least force them to open source the software/drivers or something.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, this is such a scummy move by HMD. Allow boot loader unlocking if you are consumer friendly.

Apart from Fairphone there are really no other options. This is like a poor man's fairphone.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Fairphone is midrange too, but the upper mid range. nowadays 700$US is midrange sadly

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 months ago

Well.. I bought a Xiaomi (global) phone on a basis of it being unlockable... And after two months of unsuccessful attempts and useless back and forth with their support, I can only say: fuck Xiaomi too.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

My experience with HMD 'phones':

Constant disabling/breaking of Bluetooth/Mobile Data/Wifi
Bricked after OS update
A 'repair software' that can only be used once (one action per activation), needs to be authorized by CS, can only be activated - and therefore used - x times per day and y times per week/month. It's also utterly useless, only 'fixing' stuff temporarily. And stuff breaks more than the software can be used. That in itself sounds absurd, doesn't it?
No unlockable bootloader
Working together with Etisalat (Arabic Cell Provider), allowing them to install spyware which led to a teenager being endangered by officials and parents tracking him down after he fled due to severe abuse and death sentence

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I've had two USB C ports fail on HMD phones. I like the hardware, love the vanilla android, like the value, but I've never had a USB C port fail on anything else. I know it's just personal experience but it means I can't trust getting another again.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I’ve had two USB C ports fail on HMD phones.

Yeah, that's what got my HMD made, Nokia branded, 7 plus. And from a search at the time this was a common problem

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

Yeah one was a 7 plus

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I had great experiences with Moto phones - also good hardware for relatively cheap, vanilla OS with no additional apps except a few, actually useful, Moto apps.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

Yeah I've had Motorola phones too but the updates drove me nuts. I'm just on pixel now.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Article also says to root the phone to install custom OS rather than an unlocked bootloader.