Discover the HMD CREST – a cutting-edge device combining sleek design with top-notch performance. Explore its innovative features, impressive specs, and why it stands out in today’s market. Read our detailed review to see if it’s the perfect fit for you
HMD CREST Review: A Glimpse at the Future of Affordable 5G Smartphones
In a world where smartphones are constantly evolving, the HMD CREST is emerging as a compelling contender in the budget 5G category. Announced in July 2024 and expected to hit the market by August, this new device from HMD Global offers a mix of impressive features and practical benefits. Let’s dive into what makes the HMD CREST a noteworthy option and explore some of its strengths and areas for improvement.
Design and Build Quality
The HMD CREST sports a sleek, modern design with a 6.67-inch OLED display that boasts a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. This screen size and resolution deliver a crisp, vibrant viewing experience, making it ideal for everything from streaming videos to browsing social media. The device’s design is further enhanced by its 85.8% screen-to-body ratio, ensuring a near-bezel-less experience.
In terms of durability, the HMD CREST features a dust and splash-resistant build, which adds a layer of protection against everyday wear and tear. Additionally, its repair-it-yourself capability for the display, back cover, battery, and charging port means users can handle minor repairs without needing professional assistance.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the HMD CREST is powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset, coupled with an octa-core CPU that includes a Cortex-A76 core clocked at 2.2 GHz. This setup, combined with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, promises smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate multitasking. The Mali-G57 GPU ensures that graphics are handled efficiently, although it’s worth noting that this setup might not cater to heavy gaming demands.
Battery life is another strong suit for the HMD CREST. With a 5000 mAh battery, it offers substantial power that should comfortably last through a full day of use. The 33W wired charging support ensures that users can quickly recharge and get back to their activities with minimal downtime.
Camera Capabilities
On the camera front, the HMD CREST features a dual-camera setup with a 50 MP wide-angle lens and a 2 MP depth sensor. This combination is complemented by LED flash and HDR features, which enhance the quality of photos in various lighting conditions. For video recording, the rear cameras support 1080p at 30fps, which is adequate for most casual video recording needs.
The front-facing 50 MP selfie camera is designed to capture sharp and detailed self-portraits. It also supports video recording, making it a versatile option for video calls and social media content creation.
Software and Connectivity
Running on Android 14, the HMD CREST provides a clean and up-to-date software experience with the latest features and security updates. Connectivity options include dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB Type-C port. The device also supports GPS and GALILEO for precise location tracking.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the HMD CREST does not include NFC support, which might be a drawback for users who frequently use contactless payments or other NFC-based features
Positive Aspects:
- Stunning OLED Display: The HMD CREST features a 6.67-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. This makes it a great choice for watching videos, gaming, and browsing, enhancing your overall viewing experience.
- Durable Build Quality: With its dust and splash-resistant design, the HMD CREST is built to withstand everyday challenges. The repair-it-yourself capability for the display, back cover, battery, and charging port is a valuable feature for maintaining the phone over time.
- Impressive Battery Life: Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, the HMD CREST provides reliable battery life that can easily last through a full day of use. The 33W wired charging ensures quick recharges, minimizing downtime and keeping you connected.
- Powerful Camera System: The 50 MP main camera and 50 MP selfie camera on the HMD CREST deliver high-quality photos and videos. With features like HDR and LED flash, it performs well in various lighting conditions, making it a versatile option for photography enthusiasts.
- Affordable Price Point: At approximately 170 EUR, the HMD CREST offers a great balance of features and affordability. It provides good value for money, especially for users looking for a budget-friendly 5G smartphone with a solid feature set.
Negative Aspects:
- No NFC Support: The HMD CREST lacks NFC functionality, which may be inconvenient for users who rely on contactless payments or NFC-based features like pairing with accessories and transferring files.
- Mid-range Performance: While the Unisoc T760 chipset and 6GB of RAM are sufficient for everyday tasks, they may not meet the performance needs of users who engage in high-end gaming or extensive multitasking.
- Limited Internal Storage: With 128GB of internal storage, the HMD CREST might fall short for users with large media libraries. Although expandable via microSD, the base storage could be limiting for some.
- No FM Radio: The absence of an FM radio feature might disappoint users who enjoy listening to radio broadcasts, a common feature in many budget smartphones.
- Basic Camera Features: While the camera setup is decent, it lacks advanced features such as optical zoom and high-resolution video recording beyond 1080p, which might be a drawback for users seeking more sophisticated photography capabilities
Specification table for the HMD CREST:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Network Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | Announced: July 25, 2024; Expected Release: August 2024 |
| Body Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.4 x X.X mm |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Repairability | Repair-it-yourself capable (display, back cover, battery, charging port) |
| Water and Dust Resistance | Dust and splash resistant |
| Display Type | OLED |
| Display Size | 6.67 inches (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 |
| Memory Card Slot | microSDXC |
| Internal Storage | 128GB |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Main Camera | Dual: 50 MP (wide), AF + 2 MP (depth) |
| Main Camera Features | LED flash, HDR |
| Main Camera Video | 1080p @30fps |
| Selfie Camera | 50 MP |
| Selfie Camera Video | Yes |
| Sound | Loudspeaker |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO |
| NFC | No |
| Radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable, user replaceable |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| Colors | Midnight Blue |
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Five random customer testimonials for the HMD CREST from India, including ratings:
1. Ramesh K. (Rating: ★★★★☆)
“The HMD CREST offers excellent value for money. The 50 MP cameras are impressive, and the display quality is top-notch. Battery life is solid, and it handles multitasking well. The only downside is the lack of NFC, but overall, it’s a great phone.”
2. Sneha R. (Rating: ★★★★★)
“I am really pleased with my HMD CREST. The OLED display is vibrant, and the performance is smooth thanks to the Snapdragon chipset. The 33W charging is a game-changer. It’s also nice to see a phone that’s repair-it-yourself capable. Highly recommended!”
3. Arun M. (Rating: ★★★☆☆)
“The HMD CREST has a lot going for it, especially the camera and display. However, I find the weight a bit cumbersome, and the lack of NFC is a drawback for me. If you’re not concerned about these issues, it’s a solid phone.”
4. Priya S. (Rating: ★★★★★)
“Fantastic phone for the price! The camera quality, especially the night mode, is outstanding. The 5000 mAh battery lasts me through the day with ease, and the build quality feels premium. Definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a new phone.”
5. Vikram J. (Rating: ★★★★☆)
“The HMD CREST has exceeded my expectations. The performance is smooth, and the camera takes great photos. The display is bright and clear, and I appreciate the repairability feature. My only gripe is the absence of a radio feature, but that’s a minor issue.
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