HMD Crest 5G

Description

HMD Crest 5G in Kenya

HMD Crest 5G  is a bold new entry in Kenya’s mid-range smartphone market. It combines premium features with practical design, all at a price that’s hard to ignore. For just Kes 16,000, you get a device that’s fast, future-ready, and refreshingly repairable.

First, the display grabs attention. The 6.67-inch Full HD+ OLED screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp clarity. Whether you’re binge-watching Netflix or scrolling TikTok, the 90Hz refresh rate keeps everything smooth and responsive. And yes, it supports Widevine L1 for HD streaming.

Next, the cameras impress. The dual rear setup features a 50MP primary lens and a 2MP depth sensor, ideal for portraits and low-light shots. But the real star is the 50MP selfie camera with gesture controls. Snap hands-free selfies, shoot slow-motion clips, and enjoy AI-enhanced portraits—all without touching a button.

Surprising Capabilities for such a Budget Handset

Under the hood, the Unisoc T760 chipset (6nm) powers through daily tasks with ease. Paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, it’s perfect for multitasking, gaming, and content creation. Plus, it runs Android 14 with zero bloatware, giving you a clean, fast experience.

Battery life is solid. The 5000mAh battery lasts all day, and 33W fast charging gets you back to 100% in under an hour. Even better, the battery is user-replaceable, making the Crest ideal for long-term use.

But what truly sets the HMD Crest apart is its DIY repairability. You can replace the screen, back cover, battery, and charging port yourself. That’s a game-changer for Kenyan users who value sustainability and cost-saving repairs.

It’s also IP52-rated, meaning it resists dust and light splashes. Add in OZO audio, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and 5G support, and you’ve got a phone that’s built for today—and tomorrow.

HMD Crest Specifications and Price in Kenya

 Unique Selling Points of HMD Crest 5G

• Stunning OLED Display: Enjoy immersive visuals on a 6.67-inch OLED screen with a crisp 1080 x 2400 resolution. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or browsing, the display delivers vibrant colors and deep contrast—rare at this price point.
• Powerful Unisoc T760 Chipset Built on a 6nm architecture, the Unisoc T760 offers efficient performance with octa-core processing. Paired with 6GB RAM, it handles multitasking, social apps, and light gaming with ease.
• Dual 50MP Camera System: Capture sharp, detailed shots with a 50MP main lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The 50MP selfie camera is a standout for content creators and video calls—especially at this price tier.
• Fast Charging + Replaceable Battery: The 5000mAh battery supports 33W wired charging, giving you hours of use in minutes. Plus, it’s user-replaceable, making it ideal for long-term ownership and rural users who value repairability.
• Android 14 with Clean UI: Enjoy a decent Android experience with Android 14, optimized for speed, privacy, and customization. No bloatware—just clean, efficient performance.
• Repair-It-Yourself Design: HMD’s commitment to sustainability shines through with a design that allows DIY repairs for the display, back cover, battery, and charging port—perfect for tech-savvy users and local technicians.
• Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Quick and secure access with a side-mounted fingerprint reader, plus face unlock support for added convenience.
• Budget-Friendly 5G Experience With 5G support, the HMD Crest brings next-gen connectivity to the masses—ideal for urban users and future-proofing in Kenya’s evolving mobile landscape.

Pros and Cons of HMD Crest 5G

Pros

• OLED display offering crisp 6.67-inch Full HD+ OLED screen with vibrant colors and deep contrast.
• A decent battery package, consisting of a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging—great for all-day use.
• The DIY repairability makes the HMD Crest quite user-friendly. The user-replaceable battery, screen, back cover, and charging port make it quite a practical device to use, even in rural areas.
• 50MP Selfie Camera: High-resolution front camera with gesture controls and AI enhancements.
• Clean Android 14 with no bloatware, ads, or custom UI—just smooth, stock Android.
• 5G connectivity makes the device future-ready and speedy for streaming, gaming, and downloads.
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor ensuring fast, secure, and convenient unlocking.
• IP52 rating for added durability.
• Audio Jack + OZO Audio-great sound experience with wired headphone support.

Cons

• The screen has no Gorilla Glass protection
• Limited to 1080p videos, no 4K
• No gyro-EIS support to ensure the highest quality of video shots
• No custom UI, unlike other models, which offer quite distinctive UI packages that set them apart.