HMD Crest and Crest Max are a pair of affordable 5G phones, newly launched in India by HMD.
HMD has recently launched Android phones under its own brand – the HMD Pulse, HMD Aura and more recently the HMD Skyline. However, none of these phones have been released in India yet.
The HMD Crest is the first HMD smartphone to hit the market. It is also the first HMD smartphone to be manufactured in India. The phone was also announced alongside the HMD Crest Max which comes with more features, more storage, and an upgraded camera.
HMD Crest and HMD Crest Max.
In terms of performance, the HMD Crest is equipped with a mid-range Unisoc T760 chip. This is a 6nm chip with 4 Cortex-A76 cores and 4 A55 cores (2.2 GHz speed), accompanied by a Mali-G57 GPU and a 5G modem. In addition, the product comes with 6GB RAM/ 128GB ROM, expandable via microSD card.
The HMD Crest Max has more memory – 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage.
The phones both feature a 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display. The display is protected by tempered glass, and the back of the phone also has a glossy glass layer. The phones are rated IP52 for basic water resistance.
The HMD Crest has a 50MP main camera on the back and a depth sensor, and a 50MP selfie camera on the front. On the other hand, the HMD Crest Max has a better rear camera system, including: a 64MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The front camera still has a 50MP resolution like the "brother" version.
Two 5G phones with large screens.
Both products have a 5,000mAh battery that can be charged 800 times. The device supports 33W charging with the charger included in the box.
In addition to the USB-C port, the device also has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Compatible wireless connections include: 5G (dual SIM), Wi-Fi 5 (ac), and Bluetooth 5.0.
The duo ships with Android 14 out of the box (and no bloatware). However, the company only promises two years of security patches.
Both devices have large and easily replaceable batteries.
According to the manufacturer, the 5G smartphones offer “Gen 1 repairability.” Users can replace some components at home: the screen, battery, charging port, and back panel, along with a quick tool kit and instructions.
Samsung is developing a long-awaited satellite connectivity feature that will not only be useful in emergencies but will also allow users to text and make calls in areas without mobile signal.
Illustration.
However, to experience the satellite connection feature, users will have to spend a lot of money. Is this feature worth the investment?
Samsung will soon integrate satellite connectivity feature
Samsung is working on satellite connectivity for its smartphones. Android 15 is expected to support this feature, and Android phones like Pixel and Galaxy will also have satellite connectivity soon.
Illustration.
For example, the Pixel 9 series will get a new satellite emergency feature called “Pixel Satellite SOS.” This feature will be free for Pixel users for at least two years, with Google Messages being the default SMS app. Users will also need to provide personal contact information to satellite providers and emergency services. Older Pixel models may get satellite connectivity via an update.
Samsung users will soon have the ability to communicate via satellite, just like iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners. However, unlike Apple, the Android version also allows users to text and make calls in areas without mobile signal.
