Explore the HMD Aura smartphone review with details on its 5000 mAh battery, 13 MP camera, 4 GB RAM, and performance. A solid budget option!
Table of Contents
Introduction
The HMD Aura is a budget-friendly smartphone that comes with decent features suitable for users looking for a balance between performance and affordability. In this review, we’ll break down its key specifications, camera quality, performance, design, and more to give you a detailed understanding of what this phone offers.
Key Features of the HMD Aura
The HMD Aura comes with a host of essential features designed to cater to a wide range of users. Let’s dive into the core specifications that define this device:
RAM & Storage:
The HMD Aura is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered a standard offering for budget smartphones. It also provides a decent 128 GB of internal storage, allowing users to store ample media and apps without much concern. Additionally, the phone supports expandable storage of up to 1 TB, ensuring you won’t run out of space anytime soon.
Processor:
The phone is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, which is a budget-oriented processor featuring an octa-core CPU. It is split into two sets of cores, one running at 1.6 GHz (Quad-core Cortex A55) and the other at 1.2 GHz (Quad-core Cortex A55). This setup ensures that the device handles everyday tasks smoothly, though it may not excel in demanding applications or gaming.
Rear Camera:
On the back, the HMD Aura features a 13 MP wide-angle primary camera. This camera setup offers standard photography capabilities, making it suitable for casual photography. The camera supports autofocus and features an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. Additionally, the phone supports Full HD video recording at 30 frames per second.
Front Camera:
The front camera is a 5 MP sensor, which is fairly standard for budget phones. It is designed for selfies and video calls, and it does the job in well-lit conditions but may struggle in low-light environments.
Battery:
One of the standout features of the HMD Aura is its massive 5000 mAh battery. This battery capacity ensures all-day usage without the need for frequent recharging, even with heavy usage. Whether you’re browsing, streaming, or using apps, the HMD Aura’s battery provides excellent endurance.
Display:
The HMD Aura boasts a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels (HD+). While the resolution is not Full HD, it is acceptable for a budget phone, providing clear visuals for day-to-day tasks like browsing, video streaming, and social media usage. The display offers a brightness of 430 nits, which ensures visibility under sunlight. The 60 Hz refresh rate is typical for phones in this category, making the user experience smooth for most applications.
Performance Overview: Powering the HMD Aura
The HMD Aura’s performance is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset and 4 GB of RAM. While this setup offers an adequate experience for light tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming, it may not deliver top-tier performance when it comes to more demanding applications, such as gaming or heavy multitasking.
The 28 nm fabrication process of the Unisoc SC9863A1 chip means it is less energy-efficient compared to newer, smaller-scale chips. However, for basic smartphone users, it strikes a good balance between performance and energy consumption.
Graphics and Gaming:
The phone is equipped with the PowerVR GE8322 graphics processor, which is an entry-level GPU. It is capable of handling basic games and media consumption, but don’t expect high-end gaming performance. Light to moderate gaming should run fine, but titles with high graphics demands will not perform well.
Display Quality: Visuals for the Budget Conscious
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD display of the HMD Aura offers decent visual quality for the price point. With a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels, the screen has a pixel density of 269 ppi, which is lower than what you would find on higher-end phones. However, for regular use like browsing the web, watching videos, and using apps, the display is more than adequate.
The IPS LCD technology provides better color reproduction and wider viewing angles compared to older LCD displays. While it lacks the deep blacks and vibrant colors of AMOLED panels, it still offers a good viewing experience in a variety of lighting conditions.
Screen Brightness:
The screen’s peak brightness of 430 nits is sufficient for most environments, including outdoor use. You may experience slight difficulty in very bright sunlight, but the display remains usable overall.
Design and Build: A Sleek and Modern Look
The design of the HMD Aura is stylish yet practical. The phone comes in two attractive color options: Glacier Green and Indigo Black. The body has a smooth finish, and the overall build quality is solid for a budget device.
Dimensions and Weight:
The phone measures 163.86 mm in height, 75.51 mm in width, and 8.9 mm in thickness, making it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. It weighs only 175 grams, which is relatively light for a device with such a large screen and battery. The phone’s slim profile and lightweight design make it a good option for everyday use.
Display Notch:
The front of the device is nearly bezel-less, featuring a waterdrop notch at the top for the front camera. This design maximizes the screen-to-body ratio, providing a more immersive display experience.
Camera Performance: Capturing Everyday Moments
The HMD Aura’s camera system is designed to offer reliable photography capabilities for the average user. With a 13 MP primary camera and a 5 MP front camera, it may not compete with flagship devices, but it certainly provides enough for everyday photography.
Main Camera:
The 13 MP rear camera is equipped with autofocus and LED flash, which makes it suitable for capturing clear images in most conditions. It features HDR mode for improved dynamic range and better details in both highlights and shadows.
Although the camera doesn’t offer high-end features like optical image stabilization (OIS) or advanced AI modes, it performs decently in daylight and well-lit environments. Low-light performance is acceptable but not exceptional, so it’s best to use the flash when needed.
Video Recording:
The camera supports Full HD video recording at 30 FPS, which is a standard offering for budget devices. Video quality is decent, but it lacks advanced stabilization features, so you may notice some shakiness in handheld recordings.
Front Camera:
The 5 MP front camera is designed primarily for selfies and video calls. While it is sufficient for basic use, it may struggle in low-light situations. Users looking for more professional-quality selfies or vlogs may want to look at higher-end models.
Battery Life: Power That Lasts All Day
The HMD Aura’s 5000 mAh battery is one of its standout features. The large battery capacity ensures the phone can last throughout the day even with heavy usage, including streaming, gaming, and browsing. For light users, the battery can last up to two days, making it an ideal choice for those who don’t want to worry about charging their device frequently.
Charging:
The phone supports USB Type-C for charging, providing faster data transfer and more efficient charging compared to older micro-USB connections. However, the charging speed is not extremely fast, so expect longer charging times compared to flagship devices.
Connectivity and Network: Stay Connected
The HMD Aura supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to have two phone numbers in one device. It is compatible with various network bands, including 4G, 3G, and 2G, but it does not support 5G, which is becoming a standard feature in newer smartphones.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
The phone comes with Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n), which supports basic wireless networking needs like browsing and streaming. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2 for connecting wireless devices, such as headphones and speakers.
USB OTG:
USB OTG (On-The-Go) support is available, allowing you to connect external devices like flash drives or keyboards to the phone.
GPS:
The HMD Aura is equipped with A-GPS and Glonass support for accurate location tracking and navigation.
Software and Updates: Android v13 with 2 Years Security Support
The HMD Aura runs on Android 13, which is a recent version of the operating system. It offers the latest features and improvements found in Android, including enhanced security and privacy options. However, the device is expected to receive only 2 years of security updates, so after that, it may not receive the latest Android versions or security patches.
Sensors and Additional Features
The HMD Aura includes a variety of sensors for a better user experience. These include:
- Fingerprint Sensor: Located on the rear for easy unlocking.
- Light Sensor: Automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient lighting.
- Proximity Sensor: Detects when the phone is close to your face, turning off the display during calls to save battery.
- Accelerometer: Detects motion and orientation for a better user experience in apps that require it.
Conclusion: Is the HMD Aura Worth It?
The HMD Aura offers solid performance, a good camera setup, a massive battery, and decent design at an affordable price. While it may not offer the performance and features found in flagship devices, it provides everything the average user needs for everyday tasks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with a large display, decent camera performance, and long-lasting battery life, the HMD Aura is definitely worth considering.
FAQs
What is the HMD Aura’s battery life like?
The HMD Aura features a powerful 5000 mAh battery, which offers impressive battery life. For light to moderate users, it can last up to two days on a single charge. Even with heavy use, the phone should comfortably get through an entire day without needing a recharge, making it a great choice for users who prioritize long-lasting battery performance.
Can the HMD Aura handle gaming?
While the HMD Aura is equipped with the Unisoc SC9863A1 processor and PowerVR GE8322 GPU, it is not specifically designed for heavy gaming. The phone can handle light to moderate games without issues, but more demanding titles may experience lag or lower performance. For casual gaming, it should perform adequately, but it’s not recommended for high-end gaming experiences.
Is the HMD Aura camera good for everyday photography?
The HMD Aura features a 13 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera, offering decent performance for everyday photography. The primary camera captures good images in well-lit conditions, while low-light performance is acceptable but not outstanding. For casual use, it should meet your needs, but if you’re looking for advanced camera features, this may not be the ideal choice.
Does the HMD Aura support expandable storage?
Yes, the HMD Aura comes with 128 GB of internal storage, and it also supports expandable storage via a microSD card. You can increase the storage capacity up to 1 TB, which is more than enough for storing large files, photos, videos, and apps.
What software updates can I expect with the HMD Aura?
The HMD Aura runs on Android v13 and is expected to receive security updates for up to two years from its launch date. However, it may not receive the latest Android versions after the two-year period. This is important to keep in mind if you plan on using the device for a long time without updating the operating system.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.