HMD Global has been making waves in the smartphone market with its recent launches under its brand. While phones like the HMD Pulse trio, HMD Aura, and HMD Skyline have garnered attention, none of these models are available in India. However, HMD has introduced the HMD Crest series with an FHD+ OLED Display, marking its first venture into the Indian market with a locally manufactured device. The HMD Crest Max stands out with its impressive features and competitive pricing. This phone boasts a robust build, a high-resolution display, enhanced memory, and camera capabilities, positioning itself as a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment and highlighting HMD’s commitment to delivering quality and innovation to the Indian market.
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HMD Crest Series Overview
The HMD Crest series includes the HMD Crest and the HMD Crest Max. Both models share a common design language and feature set, but the Crest Max has enhanced specifications. These smartphones are the first HMD devices in India and the first to be made nationwide.
Design and Build Quality
Both the HMD Crest and Crest Max boast a sleek design with a glass front and back, providing a premium feel. The displays are protected by strengthened glass, ensuring durability. Additionally, the phones come with an IP52 rating, which means they can withstand minor water splashes.
Display Features
The highlight of the HMD Crest series is the 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display, offering vibrant colours and deep blacks. These displays are perfect for media consumption, with a resolution that ensures sharpness and clarity. The 90Hz refresh rate adds smoothness to animations and scrolling, enhancing the user experience.
Performance Specifications
At the heart of the HMD Crest series lies the Unisoc T760 chipset. This 6nm chip features four Cortex-A76 cores and four A55 cores clocked at 2.2GHz, coupled with a Mali-G57 GPU. The Crest comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the Crest Max steps up with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Both models support storage expansion via microSD.
Camera Capabilities
The camera setup on the HMD Crest includes a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor. Interestingly, the front camera also features a 50MP sensor, emphasizing HMD’s focus on high-quality selfies. The Crest Max upgrades the main camera to a 64MP sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro sensor. Despite these enhancements, the front camera remains a 50MP unit, supporting hands-free selfies triggered by gestures like a peace sign or thumbs up.
Battery Life and Charging
The HMD Crest and Crest Max are powered by a 5,000mAh battery, promising substantial usage time. The battery supports 33W fast charging, ensuring you spend less time tethered to a charger. HMD claims the battery is rated for 800 charge cycles, indicating a long lifespan.
Connectivity Options
The HMD Crest series includes modern connectivity features such as a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to modern and traditional accessory users. Wireless connectivity options include dual-SIM 5G support, Wi-Fi 5 (ac), and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast and reliable connections.
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Software and Updates
Both models ship with Android 14 out of the box, providing users with the latest features and security enhancements. HMD has committed to providing two years of security patches, although no specific mention of OS updates exists beyond that period. Importantly, the phones are bloatware-free, offering a clean and smooth user experience.
Repairability
One of the standout features of the HMD Crest series is what HMD calls “Gen 1 repairability.” This design approach makes it easy for users to replace several components at home, including the screen, battery, charging port, and back panel. All you need is a toolkit and a simple tutorial to make these phones more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.
Price and Availability
The HMD Crest and Crest Max will be available on Amazon India during the Great Freedom Sale in August. The Crest is priced at ₹14,500 ($175/€160) for the 6GB/128GB variant, while the Crest Max costs ₹16,500 ($195/€180) for the 8GB/256GB variant. During the sale, these prices will drop to ₹13,000 and ₹15,000, respectively, making them even more attractive options for budget-conscious buyers.
FAQs
What are the main differences between the HMD Crest and Crest Max?
The primary differences lie in the RAM and storage capacities, with the Crest Max offering 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage compared to the Crest’s 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Additionally, the Crest Max features an upgraded camera system with a 64MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide camera.
How does the HMD Crest series compare to other budget smartphones?
The HMD Crest series stands out with its FHD+ OLED display, robust performance from the Unisoc T760 chipset, and high-resolution cameras, all at a competitive price point. The focus on repairability and a clean Android experience further distinguishes it from other budget options.
What is Gen 1 repairability?
Gen 1 repairability refers to the design approach taken by HMD to make key components of the phone easy to replace at home. This includes the screen, battery, charging port, and back panel, requiring only basic tools and simple instructions.
How does the camera perform in real-world scenarios?
The HMD Crest series cameras deliver impressive results in real-world use, especially for selfies. The 50MP front camera on both models ensures sharp and detailed images, while the Crest Max’s upgraded main camera captures vibrant and clear photos in various lighting conditions.
Is the HMD Crest series worth buying?
The HMD Crest series offers excellent value for money with its high-quality display, solid performance, user-friendly repairability, and attractive pricing. It’s a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment, particularly for users in India.
Wrap Up
The HMD Crest and Crest Max offer a compelling package for those seeking budget-friendly smartphones packed with premium features. Both models boast vibrant 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED displays, delivering vivid colours and sharp visuals, ideal for media consumption. Under the hood, the solid performance is powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient processing. Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the high-resolution sensors, with the Crest featuring a 50MP main and front camera, while the Crest Max upgrades to a 64MP main camera and additional ultra-wide and macro lenses.
Moreover, these phones emphasize user-friendly repairability, allowing easy replacement of key components like the screen, battery, and charging port. This focus on durability and sustainability makes them stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re an avid selfie-taker or someone who values longevity and repairability in a device, the HMD Crest series is worth considering.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
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