HMD, formerly associated with Nokia, launches a bold imitation of the iPhone 17 Pro and brands it as “futuristic.”

      A budget 5G smartphone that resembles an Apple design has been launched in India.

      The Finnish smartphone brand HMD has debuted a new budget phone in India that bears a striking resemblance to another device. This phone, named the HMD Vibe 2 5G, has a back panel that closely mimics the iPhone 17 Pro. It features a prominent camera bar that spans much of the upper rear, akin to Apple's latest Pro model, though it only has two cameras instead of three.

      A rather familiar futuristic aesthetic

      The design choice becomes even more interesting considering HMD’s marketing claims. In their promotional materials, the company refers to the phone's design as “futuristic,” despite its notable similarities to Apple’s recent Pro iPhones. The sizable camera island and the two-tone finish make the resemblance hard to overlook.

      HMD

      HMD could have opted for a more original design. Instead, the Vibe 2 5G resembles a budget iteration of the iPhone 17 Pro, missing one camera. For a brand still linked with Nokia, this is not a favorable impression.

      The fundamentals remain solid

      To be fair, the HMD Vibe 2 5G is not intended to rival an iPhone. It is a budget 5G phone, starting at Rs. 10,999 (about $114) in India. At this price point, customers receive a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Android 16 pre-installed, and a 6,000mAh battery, which is likely the primary selling feature for many users.

      Additionally, the phone includes a 50MP rear camera, an 8MP front-facing camera, 18W charging, IP64 dust and splash resistance, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It will be available on Flipkart in Cosmic Lavender, Nordic Blue, and Peach Pink colors.

      As a budget phone, the Vibe 2 5G meets the typical criteria. With a competitive Indian budget 5G market, HMD clearly needed a way to differentiate this phone. It seems to have chosen to follow the simplest path by giving it an iPhone-like appearance.