In the realm of smartphones, the Cricket Influence made its debut in January 2021, filling a void for budget-conscious consumers. This review takes an in-depth look at this device, exploring its design, display, camera capabilities, performance, connectivity, battery life, and overall value proposition.
Design: A Simple Yet Practical Aesthetic
Measuring 160 x 76 x 8.9mm, the Cricket Influence falls into the category of larger phones. However, it strikes a balance, with 185g weight, making it manageable. The full-screen display, interrupted only by a top-notch and a slightly thick bottom bezel, presents a clean and unassuming look. Opting for the black variant, the glossy finish on the back cover not only adds a touch of elegance but also resists fingerprints and grease. The dual camera setup and a fingerprint scanner grace the top of the back cover, contributing to an overall unpretentious design.
Display: A Window to Entertainment
The Cricket Influence boasts a 6.2-inch display, a notable feature that enhances the user experience, especially for activities like gaming, movie watching, and social media engagement. The HD+ screen with a resolution of 1520 x 720 delivers sharp visuals, exceeding expectations for a device in this price range. The display, curved on all four edges, seamlessly integrates the notch, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coating provides durability, an unexpected bonus for a budget-friendly phone.
Camera: Dual Lenses, Ample Possibilities
The dual-camera system on the Cricket Influence comprises a 13MP primary lens paired with a 5MP secondary lens. Accompanied by an LED light, the phone also features a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies. The inclusion of a Fast Motion feature enables capturing smooth 1080p videos, particularly advantageous during sports events. While excelling in well-lit conditions, the phone’s camera performs decently in low light, aided by the automatic activation of Night Mode. The secondary camera adds depth, facilitating portrait mode and enhancing photo sharpness.
Storage: Balancing Act
With a 32GB internal storage capacity, the Cricket Influence offers a decent amount of space, although the increasing size of app data in modern times might leave users wanting more. External storage, supporting up to 128GB, provides a viable solution. The option to automatically save photos and downloads to the SD card helps manage internal storage effectively.
Performance: A Steady Stride
Powered by a 1.8GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor and 3GB RAM, the Cricket Influence promises a responsive user experience. Running on Android 10, the phone’s hardware lineup caters well to everyday tasks, with occasional lags noted during more resource-intensive app switches. The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor adds a layer of security and convenience, elevating the phone’s overall value. The clean, vanilla version of Android 10 enhances navigation, presenting a user-friendly interface.
Connectivity: Bridging the Gaps
The Cricket Influence supports 4G LTE connectivity, offering swift internet browsing and uninterrupted call conversations. While lacking 5G support, the phone compensates with reliable Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a broader range and fewer pairing issues, and the inclusion of USB Type-C for data transfer is a welcome feature, increasingly prevalent in budget phones.
Battery: Endurance on a Budget
Equipped with a 3,300mAh non-removable battery, the Cricket Influence manages to navigate through a day with careful usage. Optimizing the battery-saver feature in Android 10 enhances battery life, although users are advised to keep resource-intensive activities in check. While lacking fast charging, the USB Type-C charger ensures quick replenishment.
The Verdict: Budget-Friendly Brilliance
Priced at $109.99, with a reduced cost of $39.99 for new Cricket customers, the Cricket Influence offers exceptional value. Its large display, dual-camera system, and fingerprint sensor stand out as commendable features. Ideal for casual users, this budget marvel does have limitations, notably its modest internal storage capacity and a battery that could be more robust. However, considering the overall package, the Cricket Influence emerges as a noteworthy contender in the budget smartphone arena.
