The startup company, CREO has launched its Mark 1 smartphone in India this April and it’s their flagship device having specifications such as a 5.5-inch 2K display, a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor (MediaTek Helio X10) along with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB storage. While the company is teasing the hardware, it also focuses on the software part. CREO’s tagline “a new smartphone every month” will eventually catch anyone’s attention to the phone thinking what’s interesting about this smartphone. CREO aims to keep the smartphone running like a brand new device every month delivering breakthrough software updates to their users. Priced at ₹19,999, let’s have a look at the CREO Mark 1 hands on Images.
CREO Mark 1 Specifications:
- Display: 5.5-inch LTPS Quad-HD (1440 x 2560 pixels) display, (534 ppi pixel density)
- Operating System: Fuel OS based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- Fingerprint Scanner: N/A
- CPU: 1.95 GHz octa-core 64-bit Cortex-A53 processor, MediaTek Helio X10 SoC (MT6795M)
- GPU: PowerVR 6200
- RAM: 3 GB LPDDR3
- Rear Camera: 21 MP Autofocus with dual-tone LED flash, 4k video recording
- Front Camera: 8 MP
- Internal Storage: 32 GB, Expandable via microSD card up to 128 GB
- Network: Hybrid SIM (GSM + GSM), supports one MicroSIM and one Nano-SIM/MicroSD, supports 4G Network
- Battery: 3100 mAh (non-removable)
- Dimensions: 155.4 mm x 76.1 mm x 8.7 mm
- Weight: 190 grams
- Colors: Black, White
The CREO Mark 1 definitely packs a punch when you look at the specifications. Talking about the specifications, you will find a 5.5-inch 2K display, a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor (MediaTek Helio X10), 3 GB RAM, massive 32 GB Storage, 21 MP camera, and 3100 mAh battery making it the most worthwhile smartphone though it misses out a fingerprint scanner which many smartphones comes with nowadays.
The CREO Mark 1 look like a combination of OnePlus X and Sony smartphones. Both the sides have Gorilla Glass 3 covered on top. The phone is quite bulky (190 grams) but no doubt it has a solid build quality. It may happen that due to the weight, the phone may not be comfortable.
What is interesting is the display. The CREO sports a 2K display i.e. 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution for crisp viewing. The phone comes with Fuel OS based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software.
The glass finish although seems feeble but anyway looks beautiful when you hold it in your hands. As the phone is covered with glass on both the sides, the 3100 mAh battery is not user-replaceable. The camera on the back is a 21 MP Sony Exmor IMX230 with dual-tone LED flash. Also noticeable is the CREO moniker at the back. The front has an 8 MP camera.
It looks like the fingerprint scanner is missing and at this price the user like me may be expecting a fingerprint scanner. CREO Mark 1 doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner while other cheaper alternatives like Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and LeEco Le 1S have it on the back. CREO opt not to use a fingerprint scanner on its Mark 1 smartphone.
The smartphone comes with a metallic rim on the side frames with nice circular buttons on the right that look marvelous. The gorilla glass on both the sides are rounded on the edges and due to the glass finish, it is slippery and prone to fingerprints.
When you look at the sides of the phone, the right side has three distinct buttons. Initially, what I thought was the middle button could be the power button but you see the upper two buttons are the volume rockers and the bottom button is for Power on/off.
The CREO supports Hybrid SIM connectivity. That means the left side has two SIM trays, each supporting different SIM cards. The top one is a hybrid tray supporting one Nano-SIM and a Micro SD. The user has an option to select the tray as SIM tray or MicroSD. While the other tray is solely for the second SIM, i.e. Micro SIM card.
Looking at the top and bottom sides, you get a usual 3.5 mm audio jack on the top. The CREO Mark 1 doesn’t carry an IR blaster which isn’t a big issue for people. Moving to the bottom, you can see no USB Type C is provided rather a standard Micro USB. We have seen a similar specification smartphone LeEco Le 1S having a USB Type-C. What else you find at the bottom is a microphone and loudspeakers. The second microphone is located at the back alongside the main camera.
Talking about the software, the CREO Mark 1 comes with Fuel OS which is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The interface is clean and stockish. No bloatware is found. A few apps from CREO is preinstalled but that doesn’t break the user experience.
Well, that was our first look at the CREO Mark 1 smartphone. We will cover more about the hardware, software, camera, battery and other stuff soon in our CREO Mark 1 review. Share us your views in the comments about the new smartphone from CREO.
