HMD-branded smartphones are stepping into the Indian market with the launch of the Crest series. Today, HMD introduced the HMD Crest and HMD Crest Max, both focusing on repairability and the selfie cameras. In a world full of hard to repair smartphones, the HMD Crest Max stands out.
I got a chance to check out the HMD Crest Max, and I’m here to share my thoughts on this device. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear picture of what the HMD Crest Max has to offer. Let’s get into it.
HMD Crest Max Specifications
- Display: 6.67” 1080p OLED, 60 Hz refresh rate
- SoC: UNISOC T760, Octa-core, Mali-G57 GPU
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB, expandable via microSD
- Software: Android 14, no major OS updates
- Battery and Charging: 5000 mAh, 33W wired charging
- Rear Camera: 64 MP (main) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro)
- Front Camera: 50 MP
- Video: 1080p and 720p at 30fps
- Miscellaneous: Mono speaker, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5, 5G, IP52
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Design
The HMD Crest Max has a plastic back and a plastic frame with a matte finish on the rear. There’s a triple rear camera setup on the rear of a square-ish module. On the front, the HMD Crest Max has an OLED display with relatively thin bezels and a punch hole cutout in the top center.
On the left, you’ll find the side-mounted fingerprint sensor + power button and the volume rockers. The right side houses the SIM tray, and the top has the secondary noise cancellation microphone.
Speaking of which, the primary microphone, 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB-C port, and the speakers are located at the bottom. The HMD logo is engraved into the center of the device’s rear. For ingress protection, HMD says that the phone is IP52-certified against dust and water.
The HMD Crest Max might feel a bit inexpensive in hand, but considering its price point, it’s a reasonable trade-off. What makes this phone particularly intriguing is its commitment to repairability.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Repairability
HMD has designed the Crest Max with “Gen 1 Repairability” so that users can easily remove the back panel using a SIM ejector tool and a special lifting tool (check the image below). This design allows you to replace the back cover, battery, broken display, and even the USB-C port yourself with basic tools.
HMD assures customers that they will always be ready to guide them through the repair process. Interestingly, performing DIY repairs will not void the device’s warranty, which is a significant selling point for the Crest series.
All in all, the design of the HMD Crest Max is very intriguing and impressive, given that the phone is repairable. Hopefully, the spare parts of the HMD Crest Max will be available at ease. Also, HMD says that these smartphones are being made in India and will be exported from India to other countries as well.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Display
The HMD Crest Max boasts a 6.67” 1080p OLED screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate, featuring a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The display delivers vibrant colors, thanks to its OLED technology, which ensures deep blacks and high contrast. However, the bezels, particularly the chin, could have been slimmer for a more modern look.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Hardware and Connectivity
The HMD Crest Max uses the UNISOC T760 SoC, which means it can hit an AnTuTu score of about 500,000, according to HMD. This 6 nm chip features an octa-core CPU (1x 2.2 GHz A76, 3x A76, and 4x A55) and a Mali-G57 GPU. In my brief time with it, the device felt snappy with no noticeable lags.
The phone packs 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of on-board storage, which is expandable via microSD. This is the sole memory and storage option available, though the exact LPDDR and UFS versions aren’t confirmed yet.
For connectivity, the Crest Max has Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5 (ac), and support for five 5G bands. Unfortunately, there is no support for NFC or an IR sensor. The phone take two 5G SIM cards, which is a convenient thing.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Software
The HMD Crest Max runs on Android 14 out of the box. The UI is smooth, clean, and mostly bloatware-free. However, one thing I must mention is that Crest Max does not have any app opening animations.
HMD has promised two years of security updates for the Crest Max but no major OS updates. This means that the device will stay on Android 14 and will not receive an update to Android 15. We think that HMD should have offered at least one OS upgrade since we’re already so close to the release of Android 15.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Battery
The HMD Crest Max features a 5000 mAh battery (rated 800 cycles) with 33W wired charging support. While it doesn’t offer reverse charging or wireless charging, this setup is decent for the price—nothing groundbreaking, but solid. And good news: the 33W charger comes inside the box.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Cameras
The cameras on the HMD Crest Max are a highlight. The Crest Max boasts at 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP setup on the rear and a 50 MP camera on the front. The 64 MP rear camera performs well in daylight but I can’t say the same for low-light. Take a look at the photos below and let us know what you think.
And, did I mention? The 64 MP rear camera has AF but isn’t optically stabilized. This probably makes it clear why the camera tends to struggle in low-light, especially with videos.
The 5 MP ultra-wide lens can take decent shots in daylight, though you might notice some softening and distortion around the edges. The 2 MP camera seems more for show, lacking any real utility. The 2 MP macro camera can take some usable photos with enough lighting.
The front camera on the Crest Max is a 50 MP shooter with features like Tone Control, Hands-free selfies, and Beautify. While these features aren’t new to the industry, it’s good to see HMD including them for its users.
Daylight selfies have decent dynamic range and sharpness, although there is still room for improvement. In low light, selfies are soft and noisy, which doesn’t leave a good impression. Hopefully, HMD can fix these issues with a software update.
When it comes to video, the Crest Max can record at 1080p and 720p, both at 30 fps. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support 60 fps or 4K recording, which is probably a limitation of the SoC. Daylight video quality is pretty good, but low-light performance can take a hit, with noticeable noise.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Speakers and Haptics
The HMD Crest features a mono speaker with decent sound quality. While audio can get distorted at higher volume levels, it sounds fine at 80% or lower. Keep in mind that with a mono speaker, the sound can be easily blocked when holding the phone in landscape mode.
As for the haptics on the Crest Max, they might not be top-of-the-line, but they get the job done. You’ll feel the haptics when using the app switcher and other system UI elements, adding a nice tactile feedback to your interactions. The keyboard haptics is a different story, though.
HMD Crest Max Hands-on Impressions: Price and Availability
The HMD Crest Max comes in three colors: Aqua Green, Royal Pink, and Deep Purple. While each color offers a unique look, keep in mind that all versions are made from polycarbonate.
You can find the HMD Crest Max on Amazon, where it has been launched at an introductory price of ₹14,999 for the sole 8/256 GB configuration. The actual price of the device is ₹16,499. What do you think of the HMD Crest Max and its stance on repairability? Let us know in the comments section below.
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I’m loving the OLED display on this phone. The colors are vibrant, and the deep blacks make the content really stand out