HMD Crest 2 and Crest 2 Pro: Budget Phones or Budget Ambitions?

So, the HMD Crest 2 is here to remind us that nothing screams &34exclusive&34 like a phone destined only for India. Dont get too excited, though its like being invited to an &34exclusive&34 party only to find out theyre serving flat soda and stale chips. At INR 14,999 (thats $131, for the dollar folks), you get 6GB of RAM and 256GB storage. Sounds decent until you realize its paired with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 5G chip-basically the &34diet cola&34 of processors.

The Fix: Are These Specs Enough to Care?

Lets break down what youre actually getting. The Crest 2 boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Great-if this were 2020. And a 50MP camera sounds impressive until you remember that MP count alone doesnt make a good photo. Throw in a massive 6000mAh battery with 33W charging, and youve got a phone thats screaming, &34Ill last long enough for you to regret buying me.&34

Why 6GB RAM with Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 Feels Like a Joke

Pairing 6GB RAM with Qualcomms Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is like putting racing stripes on a bicycle. Sure, it looks good on paper, but the performance will leave you out of breath. Lets not forget that 5G connectivity-because nothing says future-proof like a chip that will struggle to load cat videos on TikTok.

The &34Pro&34 in Crest 2 Pro Is Pure Comedy

The Crest 2 Pro takes the specs of the Crest 2 and cranks it to... 120Hz refresh rate. Thats it. Oh, and a 64MP main camera, because clearly, megapixels are everything. For INR 16,999 ($183), youre essentially paying extra for a slightly better screen and camera. Is this what were calling &34Pro&34 now?

HMD Key 2: The Budget Phone Nobody Asked For

Then we have the HMD Key 2, a phone so underwhelming it might as well come with a built-in apology note. A 6.56-inch IPS LCD with HD resolution? Bold choice for 2023. The Unisoc T310 chipset is the cherry on top-a processor so obscure even Google has to double-check its existence. And lets not forget the 5MP selfie camera, perfect for taking photos that look like they were shot through a potato.

Is 10W Charging Even a Feature?

Lets talk about the 5000mAh battery paired with 10W charging. Thats right, 10 whole watts. You might as well hook it up to a hamster wheel for charging. By the time this phone hits 100%, youll have aged enough to qualify for a senior discount.

Why Android 16 Wont Save These Phones

Both the Crest 2 series and the Key 2 are said to boot Android 16 out of the box. Thats like putting a brand-new engine in a car with no wheels. Sure, the software is fresh, but when the hardware barely keeps up, whats the point? Android 16 deserves better hardware companions than these half-hearted attempts.

Final Verdict: A Whole Lot of Meh

From the Crest 2s &34exclusive&34 mediocrity to the Key 2s budget despair, HMD seems determined to remind us that not all leaks are worth celebrating. If these specs are meant to excite us, then someone clearly forgot to include the excitement. Heres hoping the next HMD release doesnt leave us feeling like we just RSVPd to the wrong party.