HMD Crest 5G : HMD Global has entered the budget 5G smartphone market with its latest offering, the HMD Crest 5G. Combining affordability with modern features, the Crest 5G aims to provide a reliable mobile experience for users transitioning to 5G networks. With its large display, decent performance, and long-lasting battery, it hopes to make 5G connectivity accessible to a wider audience.
Modern Design Meets Large Immersive Display
The HMD Crest 5G sports a contemporary design featuring a sleek plastic body with a glossy finish that reflects light elegantly. Compact and lightweight, the device fits comfortably in hand, making it convenient for daily use.
It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution, providing vibrant colors and sufficient brightness for outdoor viewing. The screen incorporates a waterdrop notch that houses the front camera, maximizing usable screen space for immersive content consumption like videos, social media, and gaming.
Efficient Performance for Everyday Use
Powering the Crest 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset, a 5G-enabled processor optimized for budget devices. This octa-core processor balances performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, messaging, and casual gaming.
The phone comes equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. This configuration helps maintain responsive multitasking and provides enough space for common apps and multimedia files without lag concerns typically found in entry-level devices.
Camera System with Practical Capabilities
On the photography front, the HMD Crest 5G includes a dual rear camera setup—comprising a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. This combination allows for decent point-and-shoot photography and portrait shots with background blur effects.
For selfies, the device houses a 5MP front camera, capable of capturing clear images in good lighting conditions. Although not designed for advanced photography enthusiasts, the cameras are adequate for everyday social media sharing and video calls.
Long Battery Life to Keep Up with Your Day
Equipped with a sizable 5000mAh battery, the HMD Crest 5G promises extended usage on a single charge. This battery capacity ensures that users can enjoy hours of browsing, streaming, and communication without worrying about frequent recharging.
The device supports 10W charging, which, while not extremely fast by modern standards, suffices to replenish the battery in a reasonable timeframe for majority daily needs.
User-Friendly Software and Connectivity Options
The Crest 5G ships with Android 13 (Go edition), a lightweight version of Android optimized for devices with modest hardware. This ensures smoother performance and better resource management, giving users a clean and clutter-free interface with timely security updates.
Connectivity features include modern essentials such as 5G network support, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, fulfilling the basic connectivity expectations of present-day users. The device also offers face unlock and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure and quick access.
Pricing and Target Audience
HMD Global positions the Crest 5G as an affordable entry into 5G connectivity for budget-conscious consumers. It is tailored primarily for first-time smartphone buyers, students, and those upgrading from older 3G or 4G phones who want to enjoy faster internet speeds without spending heavily.
This device competes with other budget 5G smartphones like the Redmi 10A, Infinix Smart 7 5G, and Realme C-series, offering a reliable alternative backed by the trusted Nokia brand’s software experience and updates.
HMD Crest 5G Final Verdict
The HMD Crest 5G is a strong contender for users looking for an affordable and dependable 5G smartphone. While it may not impress with flagship-level hardware or camera prowess, it caters well to essential smartphone needs with adequate performance, large display, and day-long battery life.
For those wanting to experience the benefits of 5G connectivity on a tight budget, the Crest 5G presents a balanced option backed by timely updates and a familiar user interface. It stands as a testament to expanding 5G accessibility in India’s diverse smartphone landscape.