As reported earlier, Creo has today launched their debut smartphone, the Mark 1, at an event held in New Delhi. In a market cluttered with manufacturers presenting cutting-edge hardware at competitive prices, this startup plans to build its user base around regular software updates. Will they succeed with this strategy? Only time will tell.

This mid-level smartphone comes with a 5.5-inch quad HD LCD display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, and pixel density of 534 pixels-per-inch. The device features a metal body, which is covered by 2.5G curved Gorilla Glass 3 on either side.

Creo Mark 1 features a 21 MP Sony IMX230 Exmor rear camera with a f2.0 aperture, dual tone LED flash and Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF). It also features a 8 MP front camera lens with f2.0 aperture.

The smartphone is equipped with a 1.95 GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor, and 3 GB RAM. The device offers 32 GB internal memory (expandable up to 128 GB), and is packed with a 3,100 mAh battery that supports fast charging. It runs on Fuel OS (which is a modified version of stock Android), and supports dual SIM LTE.

Since this is known that the company is relying on software, the Fuel OS is expected to have a few interesting and unique features. One such feature is the Retriever, which is the anti-theft app for Fuel. Then there is Echo, which is expected to respond to the callers. Sense is a universal search which gets activated on double-tapping the capacitive Home button. Smart SIM slot automatically sets the local SIM as primary. This is what you get out-of-the-box. As promised, there will be OTA updates every month, thus improving the current features and also bringing new ones.

Creo is starting with 106 service centers in 96 cities. 15 cities will also have the phone pick up and drop service. This is expected to increase to 300 service centers in 150 cities in the coming months.

Creo Mark 1 is available in black color, and is priced at ₹19,999 ($300 approx.). It can be bought via the company's website, or on Flipkart.

Creo Mark 1 specifications

Operating System: Fuel OS
Processor: 1.95 GHz quad-core
Memory: 3 GB RAM
Storage: 32 GB internal (expandable up to 128 GB)
Display: 5.5 inch QHD LCD
Resolution (pixels): 2560x1440
Primary camera: 21 megapixel
Secondary camera: 8 megapixel
Battery: 3,100 mAh
Dimensions (WidthxHeightxDepth): 76.1x155.4x8.7 mm
Weight: 190 g
Price: ₹19,999 ($300 approx.)

April 11, 2016:



The team behind Creo Mark 1 has revealed the exclusive preview of the smartphone today. The video confirms that the device runs on Fuel OS (based on Android). It also reiterates the date, confirming the time of launch as well. It is scheduled to begin at 1100 hours IST (GMT+5:30). We'll have to wait and see what this newcomer will bring to the table.

March 31, 2016:

Remember Teewe - India's answer to Google Chromecast? The good people behind it are now ready to jump the wagon, and get into the market of smartphones. (If you're thinking there is already too much crowd in that domain, you are absolutely right. But who doesn't want a piece or more of the sweet pie?)

Coming back to Mark 1, the device looks promising given the way it is being promoted. The manufacturer is promising to give the consumers "a new phone every month". Now, you are not supposed to take it literally. The idea is not to replace the hardware on a monthly basis. Instead, software updates will be released every month. This will include planned bug fixes, and feature additions and improvements.

The image released by the OEM contains an image of the device along with its name and the tagline. It also contains the words "Mark the Date", which is followed by 13-04-16, hence confirming the launch date.

On a closer look, the image of Mark 1 reveals that it comes with the usual Android capacitive buttons. The SIM card and memory card slots are on the left side. Also, at the bottom of the left edge, one can engrave a text of his/her choice. Now that's something new!

Thanks to the usual teasers, it is known that the primary camera is a 21 MP sensor. Also, the OS is named Fuel OS, which is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. Now this comes as a disappointment, since Android 6.0 Marshmallow is already released. Still, there may be an upgrade already on their plan of providing a new device per month.

Watch the related video:



And now we wait.