The HMD Crest, announced on July 25, 2024, and released shortly after on August 7, 2024, represents a new wave of versatile smartphones tailored to meet modern needs while retaining practical user-friendly features. This device from HMD Global combines solid performance, durability, and ease of maintenance, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and repairable smartphone.
Design and Build
The HMD Crest is crafted with durability and functionality in mind. It measures 163.9 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm and weighs 205 grams, making it a substantial yet comfortable device to handle. The smartphone is designed with a focus on longevity, featuring a “repair-it-yourself” capability that allows users to easily replace the display, back cover, battery, and charging port. This feature is particularly appealing for those who want to extend the lifespan of their device, reducing the need for frequent upgrades. Additionally, the Crest is dust and splash-resistant, ensuring it can withstand everyday wear and tear.
Display
The HMD Crest sports a 6.67-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a crisp 395 ppi density. The screen provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. With an approximately 85.8% screen-to-body ratio, the display offers an immersive viewing experience without compromising on the overall size of the device.
Under the hood, the HMD Crest is powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset, built on a 6 nm process. This octa-core processor, coupled with 6GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient performance for daily tasks. The device runs on Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates. The Mali-G57 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks, providing a decent gaming experience for casual players.
Camera
The HMD Crest is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50 MP wide lens with autofocus and a 2 MP depth sensor. This combination allows for sharp, detailed photos and effective portrait shots with background blur. The rear camera also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps. On the front, the device boasts a 50 MP selfie camera, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls.
Battery and Connectivity
One of the standout features of the HMD Crest is its 5000 mAh battery, which is not only non-removable but also user-replaceable. This large battery capacity ensures long-lasting usage, and with 33W wired charging, users can quickly recharge the device when needed. Connectivity options include dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. The device also retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to those who prefer wired audio solutions.
Conclusion
The HMD Crest is a well-rounded smartphone that prioritizes durability, ease of repair, and reliable performance. Its combination of a solid build, decent camera capabilities, and a large, replaceable battery makes it an excellent choice for users who value longevity and practicality in their devices. Available in Midnight Blue and Royal Pink The HMD Crest is a testament to HMD Global’s commitment to delivering smartphones that are both functional and sustainable.
