HMD Crest Max 5G : Back in late July 2024, HMD Global dropped the HMD Crest Max 5G into India’s buzzing smartphone scene, hitting shelves by early August. This mid-range contender stands out not just for its specs but for a bold promise: fix it yourself without hassle. At around ₹11,000 to ₹16,000 depending on deals, it targets folks tired of fragile gadgets that end up in drawers after minor drops.
What caught everyone’s eye first was the repairability angle. HMD packed in easy-swap parts like the battery, display, back cover, and charging port, complete with tutorials and a toolkit option. It’s dust and splash resistant too, blending durability with a matte frosted glass back in colors like Deep Purple, Royal Pink, and Aqua Green that feel premium without screaming for attention.
Design That Feels Solid and Nordic
Measuring 163.9 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm and tipping the scales at 205g, the Crest Max 5G slots comfortably into your hand, with a flat frame that avoids accidental slips during one-handed scrolls. The 6.67-inch OLED screen boasts FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) at 395 ppi, delivering crisp visuals for movies or feeds, protected by decent bezels and a punch-hole selfie cam.
Nordic engineering shines through in the build—think clean lines and practical touches like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor blended into the power button. Dual Nano-SIM support plus a microSD slot (shared with one SIM) keeps storage flexible up to 256GB internal paired with 8GB RAM. No NFC, but Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3.5mm jack cover the basics for everyday warriors.
Users rave about the matte finish resisting fingerprints better than glossy rivals, though some note it’s a fingerprint magnet in direct light. Overall, it screams thoughtful design over flashy gimmicks.
Camera Setup Punching Above Its Weight
Photography fans, listen up: the triple rear camera leads with a 64MP main sensor with autofocus, backed by a 5MP ultrawide for landscapes and a 2MP macro for close-ups, all with LED flash and HDR. Videos cap at 1080p@30fps, solid for social shares but not cinematic epics.
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Flip it around, and the 50MP front camera steals the show with selfie gestures, slow-mo modes, and tone controls for diverse skin shades—perfect for group hangs or solo flexes. Early hands-on tests praise the ultrawide’s group-shot magic and natural colors in daylight, though low-light shots show noise that software tweaks can’t fully hide.
In real-world snaps, it holds its own against pricier phones for casual clicks, with OZO audio enhancing video calls. Critics point to average dynamic range, but at this price, it’s a win for content creators on a budget.
Performance and Battery That Last All Day
Powered by the Unisoc T760 (6nm) octa-core chip—1×2.2GHz Cortex-A76 prime core, three more A76s, and four A55 efficiency cores—plus Mali-G57 GPU, it zips through apps, light gaming like PUBG on medium, and multitasking without much sweat. Android 14 ships clean, bloat-free, with 2 years of security patches promised.
The 5000mAh user-replaceable battery is the hero, lasting 1.5 days on moderate use, backed by 33W wired charging that juices up in under an hour. Sensors like accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass round out the package for smooth navigation.
Benchmarks show it competing with segment peers, though heavy gamers might crave more GPU grunt. Recent updates, like August 2024’s security patch, keep it fresh, but OS upgrade hopes rest slim based on HMD’s track record.
Price, Availability, and User Buzz
Priced at about 180 EUR globally (₹11,849 on Flipkart India with deals), the 256GB/8GB variant undercuts many 5G rivals while offering repair perks and a 1-year replacement guarantee. Available in Aqua Green, Royal Pink, Deep Purple, it’s stocked on HMD’s site, Flipkart, and offline stores.
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User forums light up with mixed love: praise for battery life and repair ease, gripes over camera inconsistencies and limited updates. One reviewer called it “a good phone but below average camera,” while another lauded the C32’s Android 14 bump as a good sign.
YouTube unboxings after 15 days highlight value for money in India, especially for first 5G upgraders. Software tweaks like new builds add usability, but expect steady security over major OS jumps.
Standing Out in 2025’s Lineup
As 2025 rolls on, the HMD Crest Max 5G remains a smart pick for practical buyers prioritizing longevity over hype. Its self-repair ethos challenges throwaway culture, backed by solid 5G speeds on bands like n1, n3, n78.
HMD Crest Max 5G Conclusion
In a sea of lookalike budget 5Gs, the Crest Max 5G carves a niche with repairability, enduring battery, and selfie prowess that feels genuinely useful.
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Grab it if you value hands-on fixes and reliable daily drivers—it’s proof smart engineering beats endless specs every time. At under ₹12k, it’s a steal for 2025 upgrades.