HMD Arc 2 Launched in Nepal: New Look, Same Old Specs!

HMD has a fairly small lineup in Nepal, having introduced just three phones: HMD Crest, HMD Crest Max, and HMD Aura 2 so far. Now, the company has added another phone to the mix with the HMD Arc 2, a budget smartphone that quietly made its global debut. The phone first arrived in Thailand in July 2026, and made its way to Nepal in October 2026.

HMD describes the Arc 2 with a rather ambitious promise: “Camera features, performance, design — it goes big on everything but the price tag.” That certainly sounds like a lot of phones for the money.

So, did HMD really pack the Arc 2 with meaningful hardware while keeping it affordable, or have they simply kept the price low by sticking to modest specifications?

With smartphone prices rising so much, a phone launching at this price range is certainly interesting, especially with the brand’s “big on everything” claim. But when you look closer at what the Arc 2 brings to the table, that claim gets a little sus…

That said, what exactly does the HMD Arc 2 bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look:

HMD Arc 2 Overview

Compared to the original Arc, which didn’t make it to Nepal, the Arc 2 gets a noticeable polish to its rear design. It still uses a plastic back with a similar texture as in the HMD Aura 2. It comes in Navy Blue and Golden Beige.

The biggest change is the camera layout. The Arc’s rectangular module is replaced by a slim, pill-shaped design that gives off a bit of iPhone 17. Not that it’s trying to be one, but the resemblance is there.

HMD calls the Arc 2’s look premium, and the rear certainly feels more polished for a budget phone. But the waterdrop notch on the front makes it look somewhat dated. That’s hardly surprising at this price, though; it’s less a deal-breaker and more a reminder of where the Arc 2 sits in HMD’s lineup.

On the bright side, the Arc 2 also gets IP54 protection, offering basic dust and splash resistance.

The Arc 2 features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD. Its 576 × 1280 resolution, 460-nit peak brightness, and 60Hz refresh rate are fairly basic and functional, but it doesn’t exactly scream 2026. For instance, the similarly priced Blackview Wave 7C, offers a larger 6.56-inch HD+ panel with 720 × 1612 resolution. The Wave 7C also gets Mohs Level 5 protection, giving its display a little more durability on paper.

ALSO READ: HMD Mobile Price in Nepal (November 2026 Updated)

The bigger problem is that HMD hasn’t really changed what’s under the hood. The Arc 2 uses the same Unisoc SC9863A built on 28nm as in Arc, with the same eight Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 1.6GHz and the same IMG8322 GPU.

As for storage, the Arc 2 comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage, with microSD expansion up to 128GB. However, the original Arc already offered the same configuration and expandable storage, so there’s little to gain here.

While a 4/128GB variant exists in other markets, it hasn’t launched in Nepal, leaving local buyers with just one option. That’s a bit limiting, especially when competitors like the AI+ Pulse 2, Galaxy A07, Moto G06 Power, and Tecno Spark Go 3 offer multiple storage options.

The cameras on the HMD Arc 2 are giving us déjà vu with the same 13MP main camera and 5MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, at the same price, the Blackview Wave 7C shows up with a 32MP main camera and 13MP selfie camera, plus HDR and 1080p video recording. When your new-generation phone is still using the exact same cameras as the old one, it’s hard to call that progress.

The Arc 2 sticks with a 5,000mAh battery and 10W charging, which is perfectly reasonable for a budget phone but hardly ambitious. The capacity is enough for everyday use, but the 10W charging speed means you’ll want patience when topping it up.

It runs Android 14 (Go Edition), the identical lightweight version of Android used on Arc. Go Edition makes sense for entry-level hardware, but seeing Android 14 on the big 2026 feels awkward.

The Redmi A7, also launched with Android Go Edition, costs about the same. But it offers much newer Android 16, not the ancient Android 14 on the HMD Arc 2.

ALSO READ: HMD Mobile Price in Nepal (November 2026 Updated)

The HMD Arc 2 is quite disappointing and does not live up to its “big on everything” claim at all. Sure, the refreshed design is certainly more polished. But that’s about it.

At this price, it is severely outclassed. It does not even have an HD screen while every other phone in the segment offers HD+. It is also the only phone here running a 28nm processor, while the competition offers at least 12nm chips. And we have already discussed how Android 14 GO Edition is ancient, even for the budget segment.

There is almost nothing to defend this phone with. It is sad to see the Arc 2 fumble so badly. If HMD does not quickly course-correct, it risks spoiling the reputation it built with the Crest and Crest Max.

What are your thoughts on the HMD Arc2? Let us know in the comments below!