HMD has unveiled a new entry-level smartphone, the HMD Arc 2, in Thailand. It is the successor to the HMD Arc that first appeared in 2024. While the phone arrives with fresh color options, its core hardware, including the display and cameras, is carried over almost unchanged from its predecessor. The one meaningful update is the processor, which has been moved to a newer generation of chip. The Arc 2 goes on sale on July 20 in Thailand in two storage configurations.

A Modest, Incremental Update

The Arc 2 follows in the footsteps of the 2024 Arc as a budget-focused smartphone. New colors freshen up its appearance, but the body design and internal makeup do not stray far from the original. It is easiest to think of it as a steady refresh of a staple low-cost model, updated to match a new generation of components. Rather than competing on flashy new features, HMD keeps its focus on delivering just-enough hardware at an accessible price.

The Real Change Is a New Processor

The biggest difference from the previous model lies in the chip at its heart. The original Arc used Unisoc's SC9863A, but the Arc 2 switches to the newer Unisoc T603. The T603 is an entry-level chip built on a 12nm manufacturing process, with a maximum clock speed of 1.8GHz. It is not designed to chase the high performance of flagship devices; instead, it is tuned to comfortably handle everyday tasks such as calls, messaging, and lightweight apps.

The chip is paired with 4GB of RAM and a choice of 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. For anyone who needs more room, a microSD card slot is on hand to expand capacity, making it easy to keep plenty of photos and music on the device.

Display, Camera, and Battery Carry Over

The rest of the specifications largely inherit those of the original Arc. The display is a 6.52-inch IPS LCD with HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, topped by a waterdrop-style notch. On the software side, the phone runs Android 14 Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android optimized for entry-level hardware.

For imaging, there is a single 13-megapixel main camera on the back and a 5-megapixel camera on the front. The battery holds 5,000mAh and charges at 10W over USB-C. The phone also keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly rare on modern handsets and a welcome touch for anyone who wants to keep using their existing wired earphones.

Colors, Price, and Availability

The Arc 2 comes in two colors: Dark Blue and Golden Beige. It is set to launch in Thailand on July 20. Pricing is 2,290 baht (about 11,000 yen) for the 4GB + 64GB model and 2,990 baht (about 14,500 yen) for the 4GB + 128GB model. A price in the low ten-thousand-yen range makes it an easy pick for anyone looking for a first smartphone or a secondary device. HMD has not announced availability for countries or regions outside Thailand.

※1 THB = 4.85 JPY (as of July 2026)

Summary

The HMD Arc 2 is an entry-level smartphone that upgrades the previous Arc's processor to the Unisoc T603 while carrying over its core specs almost unchanged, including the 6.52-inch HD+ LCD, 5,000mAh battery, and 3.5mm headphone jack. It launches in Thailand on July 20 in Dark Blue and Golden Beige. With pricing starting at around 11,000 yen, it is a dependable choice aimed at buyers who value price and usability over raw performance.