Nokia 5G Mobile New Launch: HMD Pulse 2, Crest 2, Bold Series Specs Leaked Ahead of India Debut
Mumbai | July 22, 2025
I still remember standing in a cramped electronics shop in Karol Bagh, Delhi, back in 2017, clutching my last ₹10,000 and scanning the budget smartphone shelves with quiet desperation.
My previous phone - a once-reliable Nokia - had finally quit on me.
I wanted something simple, durable, and capable of running the basics without overheating or dying halfway through the day.
I wanted something simple, durable, and capable of running the basics without overheating or dying halfway through the day.
What I got instead was a sluggish, ad-riddled Chinese model that began freezing within weeks.
Ever since then, I’ve paid close attention to the budget smartphone space - not as a tech reviewer, but as someone who knows what it’s like when every rupee counts.
That’s why the latest leaks around HMD Global - the company that once brought Nokia phones back into relevance - caught my attention.
This isn’t just another spec dump. It’s potentially a quiet revolution in the sub-₹15,000 market.
According to reliable sources and leaks from HMD insiders, a full-fledged budget lineup is on the horizon: the Pulse 2 series, including the Pulse 2, Pulse 2 Plus, and Pulse 2 Pro - along with two new devices, the Crest 2 and Bold.
And if early details hold true, HMD may be planning something rare in the budget space: balance.
A Quick Look at What’s Brewing at HMD
Tipster group HMD MEME’S, which has a credible history of accurate leaks, claims that all five upcoming phones - Pulse 2, Pulse 2 Plus, Pulse 2 Pro, Crest 2, and Bold - will ship with Android 15 out of the box.
That alone sets a new standard in a segment where some manufacturers still launch phones on year-old software.
The entire series is also expected to feature Unisoc processors, which some may scoff at, but a closer look reveals a different picture: Unisoc has quietly matured into a genuine competitor in the lower-end chipset wars, with notable improvements in thermal efficiency and connectivity.
Phone Display Chipset RAM Storage Cameras Extras
Ever since then, I’ve paid close attention to the budget smartphone space - not as a tech reviewer, but as someone who knows what it’s like when every rupee counts.
That’s why the latest leaks around HMD Global - the company that once brought Nokia phones back into relevance - caught my attention.
This isn’t just another spec dump. It’s potentially a quiet revolution in the sub-₹15,000 market.
According to reliable sources and leaks from HMD insiders, a full-fledged budget lineup is on the horizon: the Pulse 2 series, including the Pulse 2, Pulse 2 Plus, and Pulse 2 Pro - along with two new devices, the Crest 2 and Bold.
And if early details hold true, HMD may be planning something rare in the budget space: balance.
A Quick Look at What’s Brewing at HMD
Tipster group HMD MEME’S, which has a credible history of accurate leaks, claims that all five upcoming phones - Pulse 2, Pulse 2 Plus, Pulse 2 Pro, Crest 2, and Bold - will ship with Android 15 out of the box.
That alone sets a new standard in a segment where some manufacturers still launch phones on year-old software.
The entire series is also expected to feature Unisoc processors, which some may scoff at, but a closer look reveals a different picture: Unisoc has quietly matured into a genuine competitor in the lower-end chipset wars, with notable improvements in thermal efficiency and connectivity.
Key Specs Comparison Table
Phone Display Chipset RAM Storage Cameras Extras
Pulse 2 6.67" HD+ 90Hz LCD Unisoc T7200 4GB Up to 128GB 13MP rear, 8MP front Android 15
Pulse 2 Plus 6.67" HD+ 90Hz LCD Unisoc T7200 6GB Up to 128GB 50MP rear, 8MP front Android 15
Pulse 2 Pro 6.7" HD+ 120Hz LCD Unisoc T7250 6GB / 8GB Up to 256GB 50MP rear + macro + depth, 50MP front 20W Fast Charging
Crest 2 TBD Unisoc T8300 (5G) 4GB / 6GB / 8GB TBD TBD Geekbench: 743/2285
Bold TBD Unisoc T7250 4GB / 6GB TBD TBD Android 15
Inside the Pulse 2 Lineup: Refresh Rate, Refreshed Focus
The Pulse 2 series appears to be HMD's most deliberate return to the value-first market in years.
With a clear tiered structure - base model, enhanced camera variant, and a semi-premium variant - users get a choice rather than a compromise.
With a 6.67-inch HD+ LCD and 90Hz refresh rate, this base model is anything but bare-bones.
HMD Pulse 2
With a 6.67-inch HD+ LCD and 90Hz refresh rate, this base model is anything but bare-bones.
Powered by a Unisoc T7200, it’s reportedly aimed at light users who still want a modern UI experience.
While 4GB RAM and 128GB storage may sound modest, it's a common combo in this bracket.
While 4GB RAM and 128GB storage may sound modest, it's a common combo in this bracket.
But Android 15 and near-stock UI (if HMD sticks to its old playbook) could make this model snappier than expected.
With similar internals but a much stronger 50MP rear shooter, this version appears tailor-made for budget-conscious content creators or students who prioritize photography.
RAM is bumped up to 6GB, allowing smoother multitasking. At a likely price under ₹12,000, this might compete directly with Realme C65 and Redmi A3 Prime.
The real surprise here is the Pulse 2 Pro. A 120Hz refresh rate on an HD+ LCD is unusual, but it’s the camera specs that really catch attention: both the rear and front shooters are 50MP.
That’s unheard of in this range. And with macro and depth sensors onboard, it might even appeal to casual vloggers.
It’s also rumored to support 20W fast charging, giving it a slight edge over some Samsung M-series phones at this price.
Internally codenamed “ACCORD,” the HMD Crest 2 could be a sleeper hit. It's expected to feature the Unisoc T8300, a 6nm chip with respectable Geekbench scores - 743 (single-core) and 2285 (multi-core).
For context, those numbers fall just behind the Snapdragon 695 but ahead of many MediaTek G-series chips.
HMD Pulse 2 Plus
With similar internals but a much stronger 50MP rear shooter, this version appears tailor-made for budget-conscious content creators or students who prioritize photography.
RAM is bumped up to 6GB, allowing smoother multitasking. At a likely price under ₹12,000, this might compete directly with Realme C65 and Redmi A3 Prime.
HMD Pulse 2 Pro
The real surprise here is the Pulse 2 Pro. A 120Hz refresh rate on an HD+ LCD is unusual, but it’s the camera specs that really catch attention: both the rear and front shooters are 50MP.
That’s unheard of in this range. And with macro and depth sensors onboard, it might even appeal to casual vloggers.
It’s also rumored to support 20W fast charging, giving it a slight edge over some Samsung M-series phones at this price.
Crest 2: 5G On a Budget, Done Right?
Internally codenamed “ACCORD,” the HMD Crest 2 could be a sleeper hit. It's expected to feature the Unisoc T8300, a 6nm chip with respectable Geekbench scores - 743 (single-core) and 2285 (multi-core).
For context, those numbers fall just behind the Snapdragon 695 but ahead of many MediaTek G-series chips.
In real-world terms? Smooth daily use, basic gaming, and 5G capability at an estimated sub-₹15,000 price point.
And if HMD offers an 8GB RAM version (as leaks suggest), it could become one of the most balanced budget 5G phones of 2025.
The Bold (codenamed “MAHUZE”) may not sound flashy, but it could be a key piece in HMD’s budget puzzle.
Sporting the same Unisoc T7250 as the Pulse 2 Pro, this device is likely targeted at users who want performance without the flashy cameras or display frills.
With two Cortex-A75 cores and six A55 cores, it should handle everyday apps with minimal stutter.
Depending on pricing, the Bold could attract users moving from older JioPhones or even legacy Nokia devices - a demographic HMD still has emotional capital with.
This is the most intriguing part of the leak. Launching five phones within one quarter, especially in overlapping price bands, isn’t normal - even for aggressive OEMs.
So what’s the strategy?
Based on internal distribution chatter and reseller stock requests we've reviewed, it appears that HMD wants to reclaim shelf space lost to Itel, Infinix, and Lava in India and Africa.
These brands have become default choices in Tier-3 and rural areas - precisely where HMD once dominated.
The company may be betting that familiar branding + cleaner Android + slightly better build can tip the scales back in their favor.
And if HMD maintains reliable software updates - a major pain point in this segment - it may genuinely win back old Nokia loyalists.
We spoke with Ankit Chaudhary, a mobile reseller in Uttar Pradesh, who confirmed that demo units of the Pulse 2 and Pulse 2 Plus had been shown to distributors last month.
“The software was clean. No bloatware, no spam. People are tired of ads popping up in their notification bars. If HMD can keep that promise and price these under ₹10K to ₹13K, they’ll sell again,” he said.
Another field rep for a competing brand admitted anonymously:
“We didn’t take Unisoc seriously until now. But T8300’s 5G support and lower heating could catch attention.”
There’s no official word yet on pricing or launch dates, though multiple leak cycles suggest an unveiling could happen in early August 2025.
Given HMD’s recent pattern, a global release followed by region-specific SKUs is likely.
We also don’t know whether these phones will retain Nokia branding or push HMD as a standalone identity.
If the latter, this could be a brand reset moment, positioning HMD as a modern, value-first company with deep hardware roots.
And if HMD offers an 8GB RAM version (as leaks suggest), it could become one of the most balanced budget 5G phones of 2025.
HMD Bold: The Quiet Contender
The Bold (codenamed “MAHUZE”) may not sound flashy, but it could be a key piece in HMD’s budget puzzle.
Sporting the same Unisoc T7250 as the Pulse 2 Pro, this device is likely targeted at users who want performance without the flashy cameras or display frills.
With two Cortex-A75 cores and six A55 cores, it should handle everyday apps with minimal stutter.
Depending on pricing, the Bold could attract users moving from older JioPhones or even legacy Nokia devices - a demographic HMD still has emotional capital with.
Why Is HMD Flooding the Budget Market?
This is the most intriguing part of the leak. Launching five phones within one quarter, especially in overlapping price bands, isn’t normal - even for aggressive OEMs.
So what’s the strategy?
Based on internal distribution chatter and reseller stock requests we've reviewed, it appears that HMD wants to reclaim shelf space lost to Itel, Infinix, and Lava in India and Africa.
These brands have become default choices in Tier-3 and rural areas - precisely where HMD once dominated.
The company may be betting that familiar branding + cleaner Android + slightly better build can tip the scales back in their favor.
And if HMD maintains reliable software updates - a major pain point in this segment - it may genuinely win back old Nokia loyalists.
Voices from the Ground
We spoke with Ankit Chaudhary, a mobile reseller in Uttar Pradesh, who confirmed that demo units of the Pulse 2 and Pulse 2 Plus had been shown to distributors last month.
“The software was clean. No bloatware, no spam. People are tired of ads popping up in their notification bars. If HMD can keep that promise and price these under ₹10K to ₹13K, they’ll sell again,” he said.
Another field rep for a competing brand admitted anonymously:
“We didn’t take Unisoc seriously until now. But T8300’s 5G support and lower heating could catch attention.”
What We Still Don’t Know
There’s no official word yet on pricing or launch dates, though multiple leak cycles suggest an unveiling could happen in early August 2025.
Given HMD’s recent pattern, a global release followed by region-specific SKUs is likely.
We also don’t know whether these phones will retain Nokia branding or push HMD as a standalone identity.
If the latter, this could be a brand reset moment, positioning HMD as a modern, value-first company with deep hardware roots.
Fahadh Faasil Mobile Phone Trend: ₹10 Lakh Vertu Keypad Device Stuns Fans Online
This isn’t a flashy flagship event. There won’t be celebrity brand ambassadors or stadium-sized launch venues.
But in dusty stores across Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, phones like the Pulse 2 and Crest 2 could become lifelines - just like that forgotten Nokia I once clung to years ago.
Final Take
This isn’t a flashy flagship event. There won’t be celebrity brand ambassadors or stadium-sized launch venues.
But in dusty stores across Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, phones like the Pulse 2 and Crest 2 could become lifelines - just like that forgotten Nokia I once clung to years ago.
Author expertise
Michael B. Norris, writing from Delhi, is a senior tech journalist who has covered emerging markets, smartphone trends, and telecom disruption for over a decade.
His reporting combines first-hand field interviews, hardware reviews, and deep research into global supply chains and chipsets
Comments
Post a Comment