HMD has quietly launched the Arc 2 in Thailand, picking up where its 2024 budget phone left off. Nothing about the launch feels flashy, but that’s kind of the point. The design carries over from before, there are two new color options, and the chipset gets a small bump. It’s built for people who just want a phone that works, nothing more. Now that the launch is official in Thailand, plenty of buyers are asking whether HMD Arc 2 Nepal availability might follow, and what pricing could look like if it does.
- Unisoc T603, 4GB RAM
- 6.52-inch HD+ LCD, 60Hz
- 13MP rear, 5MP front camera
- 5,000mAh battery, 10W charging
Display and Design
Up front, the Arc 2 uses a 6.52-inch IPS LCD screen with HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. That’s identical to what shipped on the original Arc, so anyone expecting a sharper panel or smoother scrolling this time around will be disappointed. A waterdrop notch cuts into the top of the display to house the selfie camera, keeping the overall look clean and uncluttered.
On the software side, the phone runs Android 14 Go Edition, a stripped-down build made for lower-end hardware. It makes sense for a device at this price point, though HMD hasn’t said anything about whether the Arc 2 will see future software updates down the line.
Performance
The biggest change from the original Arc sits under the hood. HMD has dropped the old Unisoc SC9863A in favor of the Unisoc T603, a 12nm chip that tops out at 1.8GHz. It’s still very much an entry-level processor, so don’t expect it to handle anything demanding, but it should feel a touch snappier for basic day-to-day use.
Memory is set at 4GB of RAM, and buyers get to pick between 64GB or 128GB of storage depending on their needs. There’s also a microSD slot on board, which is a welcome inclusion for anyone who tends to fill up their storage with photos and downloaded files.
Camera
The camera setup hasn’t changed at all from the last generation. There’s a single 13MP sensor on the back, no extra lenses or gimmicks, just one camera doing the job. It’s a sensible approach for a phone at this price, even if it won’t win any awards for versatility.
The front camera comes in at 5MP, tucked into that waterdrop notch. It’ll get the job done for the occasional video call or quick selfie, though anyone shooting in dim lighting shouldn’t expect much detail or clarity.
Also, read
Battery and Connectivity
Battery life should be one of the Arc 2’s stronger points, thanks to a 5,000mAh cell. Charging tops out at 10W, which is slow by today’s standards, but the larger capacity should still carry most users through a full day without much trouble.
Elsewhere, the phone covers the basics well. There’s a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio fans, Bluetooth, dual-band Wi-Fi, dual-SIM 4G support, and GPS. None of it is groundbreaking, but it’s everything a budget buyer would expect to find.
HMD Arc 2 Specifications
- Design & Build: Plastic frame, waterdrop notch
- Display: 6.52-inch IPS LCD, HD+ resolution, 60Hz
- Processor: Unisoc T603 (12nm, up to 1.8GHz)
- Memory: 4GB/64GB, 4GB/128GB, microSD expandable
- Rear Camera: 13MP single sensor
- Front Camera: 5MP
- Software & UI: Android 14 (Go Edition)
- Network & SIM: 4G, Dual Nano-SIM
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (dual-band), Bluetooth, GPS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack
- Sensors: Not specified
- Battery: 5,000mAh, 10W wired charging
HMD Arc 2 Price and Availability in Nepal
In Thailand, the 4GB/64GB variant costs THB 2,290, while the 4GB/128GB model is priced at THB 2,990. Both go on sale from July 20 in Dark Blue or Golden Beige. HMD hasn’t confirmed a Nepal launch yet, but based on a direct currency conversion, the HMD Arc 2 Nepal expected price comes to around NPR 12,999 for the base model and roughly NPR 16,999 for the higher storage option.
| HMD Arc 2 | Price in Thailand (Official) | Price in Nepal (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/64GB | THB 2,290 | NPR 12,999 |
| 4/128GB | THB 2,990 | NPR 16,999 |
Conclusion
There’s nothing groundbreaking about the HMD Arc 2, and it doesn’t try to be. What it offers is a dependable, no-frills phone for people who just need something that gets through the day without fuss. Students, first-time smartphone owners, or anyone after a simple backup device will find it does the job. Whether it actually lands in Nepal, and at what price, is something buyers will have to wait on HMD to confirm.
