The HMD Arc 6.52-inch smartphone has officially launched in Thailand, bringing an affordable, self-repairable Android handset to budget-conscious consumers. HMD — the Finnish brand behind a growing lineup of repair-friendly phones — designed the Arc with user repairability at its core, allowing customers to replace the battery or screen themselves without sending the device in for service.
- The HMD Arc features a 6.52-inch HD+ LCD display, Unisoc 9863A processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB of expandable storage.
- Its self-repairable design lets owners swap the battery or screen independently, and it ships with Android 14 (Go Edition) plus two years of security updates.
HMD Arc 6.52-Inch Display and Performance Specs
At the heart of the Arc is a 6.52-inch HD+ LCD panel with a resolution of 576 x 1,280 pixels, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 460 nits — adequate for everyday indoor and outdoor use at this price tier. Powering the device is the Unisoc 9863A chipset paired with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of onboard storage. Users who need more room can expand storage up to 128 GB via a microSD card. The phone runs Android 14 (Go Edition), Google's optimised OS build for entry-level hardware, ensuring smooth performance despite the modest specs.
Camera, Battery, and Connectivity
Photography on the HMD Arc is handled by a 13-megapixel rear primary camera supported by an LED flash and a suite of shooting modes including Bokeh, Night Mode, Professional Mode, Slow Motion, Quick Snapshot, Filters, and Panorama. A 5-megapixel front camera covers selfies and video calls. Audio comes through a single speaker and microphone combination. For connectivity, the Arc offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a USB Type-C port. Security features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, along with an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.
Keeping everything running is a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 10 W wired charging. The phone measures 166.4 x 76.9 x 8.95 mm and weighs approximately 186 grams. HMD has confirmed two years of security updates for the Arc, providing peace of mind at the entry-level price point. Pricing details had not been disclosed at launch.
Self-Repairable Design — A Growing HMD Philosophy
The Arc is the latest expression of HMD's commitment to repairability. The company recently launched the HMD Crest and HMD Crest Max in India — its first 5G smartphones — which share the same repair-friendly ethos. On those mid-range models, owners can independently replace the battery, charging port, and display. The Crest line steps up to a 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display and a 50-megapixel front camera, positioning them well above the Arc in both specs and price.
What Makes the Arc Different From Other Budget Phones?
Most entry-level smartphones are essentially sealed units that require professional repair. The HMD Arc bucks this trend by making the battery and screen user-replaceable, which can extend the phone's usable life significantly and reduce long-term ownership costs. Combined with Android 14 (Go Edition) and guaranteed security patches, the Arc offers genuine long-term value for buyers in emerging markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor does the HMD Arc use?
The HMD Arc is powered by the Unisoc 9863A chipset, paired with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 128 GB with a microSD card.
Does the HMD Arc 6.52 support fast charging?
The HMD Arc includes a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 10 W wired charging. There is no mention of wireless charging on this model.
