More than a phone with big-res cameras and battery, this Cricket Dream 5G review reveals more incredible features buyers can anticipate.
The Cricket Dream 5G smartphone was released in September 2021. 5G smartphones are getting immensely popular amongst the general public. However, these phones usually get a bad rep for being too expensive for our wallets.
However, the Cricket Dream 5G changes all that. Featuring all the features of a 5G smartphone, this device has garnered attention because of its affordability.
But does the low price translate well into the phone’s specifications? The device does have a large 4,750mAh battery, 5G capabilities, and an HD+ display screen. But does it perform well as it’s marketed?
Stick around and skip the lengthy research! Our Cricket Dream 5G review will help you eliminate any confusion you may have about this phone.
Page Contents:
Key Specs
Cricket Dream 5G specifications:
| Weight | 222g |
| Dimensions | 176 x 79 x 9.6mm |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Screen size | 6.8-inch |
| Resolution | 1640 x 720 |
| CPU | 2.2GHz Octa-core, MediaTek Dimensity 700 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 4,750mAh, Non-removable |
| Rear camera | 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 13MP |
Read also: Cricket Dream 5G User Manual
Design
At a glance, the Cricket Dream 5G smartphone has a modern-looking design with a basic exterior. The phone doesn’t have the most striking appeal compared to its premium competitors. It has a decent build that’s a bit on the heavier side, giving it a sturdy feel. But thanks to its slimness, it’s super compatible to be carried around everywhere.
Right off the bat, we have the display screen surrounded by rounded bezels. We noticed that the bottom bezel is slightly thicker, but the home buttons are placed inside the screen. On one hand, we’d think it would be better if the thick lower bezel was eliminated to make room for more display screen space. But we understand that this bezel helps with how a user holds the device comfortably.
Switching to the back, we noticed that all four rear cameras are played in a rectangular layout. This layout is placed right on the left corner of the device. Just beneath it is the phone’s fingerprint scanner, which can be easy to miss at first.
Appearance-wise, it’s an average model that might gain us wow points. At this price point, we’d expect something a little spectacular. But at least it’s reliable enough for us to use every day.
Display
The Cricket Dream 5G smartphone has a 6.8-inch display screen to show our content. Just from the size alone, it’s an ample amount of space to navigate around. The display shows our images, videos, and other content wide and clear. Plus, with larger screens, typing on the device is much easier.
The display screen is supported by a 1640 x 720 resolution. The resolution accommodates a 20.5:9 aspect ratio. What this means is that we can stretch the content for a zoomed-in effect without making it pixelated. After all, a large screen should always come with a large resolution.
The display screen comes with HD+ quality for maximum viewing pleasure. The images are noticeably sharp and clear. However, it doesn’t have the most striking of textures, and we saw that some colours appear slightly dull. It’s not a major flaw, but it could be something to consider if anybody’s looking for a phone that mimics a cinematic watching experience.
With a big display screen, it’s important to protect it as well. We’d recommend putting on additional protection like scratch-resistant glass to keep it secure. We must maintain the quality of these specifications by taking the necessary steps.
Camera
The Cricket Dream 5G has a 48MP main rear camera to capture our life moments. We applaud the high megapixel as it allows us to take sharp, quality photos. Our pictures came out great without too much blur.
Brightness could be a minor issue since higher megapixels typically require more lighting. As a result, some shots appeared a tad bit darker, but we can always use the LED flash.
Besides the main rear camera, we have three other rear cameras available. First off is the 8MP Ultrawide camera, perfect for landscape shots. The second is the 2MP Macro camera for an incredibly focused shot. The last one is a 2MP Depth camera that gives our Portrait shots a blurry effect in the background.
Let’s not forget the front-facing camera, which has 13MP. This is a good sign in our books, as most budget phones typically go for 8MP instead. With 13MP, we can take stellar selfies with the right quality.
Besides the cameras, the phone’s camera modes are equally interesting as well. We played around with effects like Portrait/Bokeh, HDR, Panorama, Night Mode, and Macro. There’s also Time-Lapse and Slow Motion when taking videos. These tools allow us to unlock the full potential of these cameras.
Read also: Alcatel Volta (5002R) Review: Face Unlock and Google Assistant Button
Storage
The Cricket Dream 5G has an internal storage of up to 64GB. While 64GB is starting to become the minimum standard for internal memories, sadly, it’s still not enough.
Considering the size of apps and files these days, we’d need more than that. Also, that 64GB of storage is typically occupied with preloaded apps, meaning we’d have to get more storage one way or another.
Thankfully, the smartphone allows us to expand the memory up to 512GB. This is possible by inserting an external microSD card. Alternatively, we can routinely clean the device from time to time to ensure that the phone doesn’t store unused files or documents.
Performance
The Cricket Dream 5G is supported by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor. The CPU is highly regarded as one of the first 5G chips that made it to the mainstream market. It’s become an essential chip for 5G devices that are in the lower price range. Despite its affordability, it still provides the reliable performance we need.
With a running speed of 2.2GHz, the Octa-core chipsets maintain the phone’s power efficiency. We received faster average speeds, capable performance, and smooth displays. On top of that, the processor provides enhancements to camera shots. Fully integrated into the phone, the processor acts as a good consumer choice.
Thanks to the phone’s 4GB RAM, we experienced minimal disruptions with the device. There’s a common notion that a higher RAM equals better performance. However, that’s not usually the case. 4GB is sufficient enough for the everyday smartphone, and it doesn’t overpower the device.
With 4GB, we get to enjoy most of our apps smoothly. We were able to switch back and forth from one app to another seamlessly. This makes phone multitasking highly possible, as we’re able to run multiple apps in the background. Just be sure to clear the cache once in a while to keep the device intact for longer periods.
In our Cricket Dream 5G review, we’re taking a brief look at the phone’s Android 11 OS. The OS boasts a couple of features that make our phone user experience a lot more pleasing. For starters, we noticed that notifications for text messages are more organized. Plus, there are more privacy tools available.
However, some of these features might take a while to get used to. Some of them don’t seem to sync well with certain apps. While others might feel overwhelmed with the wide array of new features. To leverage this, we can simply configure it in the settings to match our personal preferences.
The Cricket Dream 5G comes with a bunch of sensors installed. We have the accelerometer, which works to track the number of steps we’ve taken. This sensor is crucial for tracking-based apps, like running apps. We also have a proximity sensor to prevent accidental touches on the touch screen.
What steals the show is the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor on the back. Current smartphones are known to bring in new methods of accessibility. With the fingerprint sensor, we’re able to access the device with a quick touch of our fingerprint. Just be patient with it, as it’s going to take a couple of tries during its initial configuration.
Connectivity
The Cricket Dream 5G easily connects to 5G, 4G, 3G, and 2G bands. The 5G support is another star in this review. Enjoy fast uninterrupted connectivity with this phone. If 5G isn’t available yet in your area, you can still use 4G. Once 5G is more widespread, you won’t have to buy a new phone.
For fans of Wi-Fi, the phone has a Wi-Fi feature that’s compatible with most hotspots. Speaking of hotspots, the device can be transformed into a mobile hotspot as well. That way, we’re able to provide an internet connection to other external devices.
For wireless transfers, the phone comes with Bluetooth version 5.1 This feature also lets us connect our Bluetooth-based gadgets for a completely wireless experience, such as headphones, speakers, and more. But if a wireless transfer doesn’t feel right, we can switch to the classics by using the USB Type C.
Battery
The Cricket Dream 5G phone runs on a long-lasting 4,750mAh battery. It’s a surprisingly huge capacity that provides more than enough juice to keep the phone running. With this battery size, we wouldn’t have to worry about charging it often when we’re outside for long hours. Since the battery is non-removable, we don’t have to worry about it getting damaged.
As for charging, the smartphone accommodates wireless charging. It’s an impressive add-on as wireless charging is starting to become the trend amongst smartphones. Not to mention how convenient it is. Additionally, the phone is capable of fast charging to ensure the device gets a full battery capacity as soon as possible.
Is the Cricket Dream 5G a good phone?
To conclude our Cricket Dream 5G review, we give some credit to this device. At a retail price of $190, it’s slightly above budget phones. But considering that this is a 5G smartphone, we’re surprised at the price. Especially since it includes features like four rear cameras, a large battery capacity, and a huge display screen.
However, there’s always room for improvement. For example, the manufacturer should reconsider the 64GB internal memory and switch it to something larger. And in terms of design, we felt the phone could do better. After all, first impressions are the most important.
Cricket Dream 5G Pros
- 5G Support
- Quad-cameras
- Large battery capacity
- 4GB RAM
- Affordable price for a 5G phone
Cricket Dream 5G Cons
- Low internal storage
- Typical design
