HMD Crest review
The HMD Crest suits buyers in regions where repair costs are high and phone lifespan matters more than raw speed. Skip it if you need gaming, 4K video, or fast charging.
This review is based on HMD’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the HMD Crest, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The HMD Crest trades performance for practicality: a user-replaceable battery, OLED screen, and self-repair design make it genuinely useful in markets with expensive repairs, but the Unisoc T760 and 1080p video cap it to everyday tasks and budget phone buyers who value longevity over speed.
Design & build
At 205 grams and 8.4 mm thick, the Crest is neither slim nor featherweight, but it is sturdy enough for a €130 phone. The real story is the repair design: HMD has engineered this so you can swap the display, battery, back cover, and charging port yourself using standard tools. In markets where replacement screens cost €60 or more and service delays run weeks, this is a practical gift. The dust and splash resistance helps too, though no IP rating is listed. The Midnight Blue finish looks decent without being showy.
Display
The 6.67-inch OLED panel is the Crest's strongest selling point. OLED means blacks are genuinely black, colors are vivid, and power draw dips when displaying dark content. At 395 ppi, the 1080 x 2400 resolution is sharp enough; text does not blur at normal viewing distance, and the 85.8% screen-to-body ratio is respectable for a mid-range design. This is not a 120Hz display, so scrolling will feel standard rather than silk-smooth compared to recent flagships. For the price, though, OLED at all is a win—most phones at €130 still use LCD.
Performance
The Unisoc T760 is an entry-level chip, and the Crest does not pretend otherwise. Everyday tasks—messaging, browsing, social media, video playback—run without lag. Jump into a demanding game or heavy multitasking, and you will feel the ceiling. With 6 GB of RAM, you can keep a few apps in memory without constant reloading, but this is not a phone for people who need snappy app switching under load. The 128 GB storage is tight if you download a lot; the microSDXC slot uses the shared SIM tray, so you have to choose between a second SIM and expansion.
Software
Android 14 ships out of the box, which is current. HMD has historically kept their Android close to stock, so you should not expect heavy bloat. Long-term update promises are unclear from the specs alone, but given HMD's position, do not bank on more than a couple of years of OS bumps.
Camera
The 50 MP main sensor sounds impressive on paper, but it shoots 1080p video at 30 fps only—a real step back now that even €200 phones record 4K. Stills in good light should be sharp and detailed thanks to the resolution and autofocus, but the lack of ultra-wide or zoom lenses means you are stuck with what the main lens gives you. The 50 MP selfie camera is plenty for video calls. Flash and HDR are present, which helps in tricky lighting. Overall, this is a camera for daylight snapshots and social media clips, not creative video work.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh capacity and user-replaceable design are the headline here. Expect about one to 1.5 days of screen time on moderate use; power users will need to top up daily. The real advantage is that when the battery eventually fades after two or three years, you pop the back off and swap in a replacement yourself instead of sending the phone away for repair. Charging at 33W takes roughly 60–75 minutes from zero to full, which is neither fast nor glacial. It is passable but slower than some €130 rivals. There is no wireless charging, as expected at this price.
Value & verdict
At €130, the Crest is priced for buyers in markets where repair costs and service delays are real concerns. The user-replaceable battery and DIY repair design add years of practical utility, and the OLED screen punches above the price. The Unisoc T760 is the trade-off: you get a phone that handles daily tasks capably but will not run demanding apps or games smoothly. Video recording capped at 1080p is also a miss for anyone who wants future-proof multimedia. The lack of NFC and unspecified FM radio limit some use cases. If your priority is a long-lived, low-repair-cost phone for messaging, browsing, and social media, the Crest makes sense. If you need gaming performance or 4K video, keep looking.
Verdict
The HMD Crest suits buyers in regions where repair costs are high and phone lifespan matters more than raw speed. Skip it if you need gaming, 4K video, or fast charging.
- 5000 mAh user-replaceable battery cuts out the trip to repair shops and extends the phone's practical life by years
- OLED display at 6.67 inches with 395 ppi delivers sharp text and deep blacks without the bloat of a flagship price
- Design allows DIY repairs for screen, battery, and charging port using standard tools, a rare feature at this price
- Dual SIM and 5G band support make it flexible for networks common in emerging markets; 3.5mm jack included
- Unisoc T760 is entry-level; heavy gaming and multitasking will stall noticeably
- 1080p video at 30fps feels dated now that mid-range phones routinely record 4K
- 33W charging is moderate, leaving you tethered for about an hour from flat—rivals at this price sometimes offer faster rates
HMD Crest Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, July 25 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio), OLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 50 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Durability | Repair-it-yourself capable (display, back cover, battery and charging port repairs) Dust and splash resistant |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C |
HMD Crest FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Crest support 5G?
Yes. The Crest supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Crest use?
The Crest runs on the Unisoc T760 (6 nm).
What display does the Crest have?
A 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density).
How big is the Crest battery?
The Crest has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 33W wired.
Does the Crest have NFC?
No, the Crest does not list NFC support.
Is the Crest water resistant?
The Crest carries a Repair-it-yourself capable (display, back cover, battery and charging port repairs) Dust and splash resistant rating.
Does the Crest support a microSD card?
Yes, the Crest supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the Crest have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Crest has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Crest isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Crest Max
Pulse Pro
Vibe 4G
Vibe
Galaxy M16 5G
