GADGET REVIEW .....InFocus M2

GADGET REVIEW InFocus M2





An HD display, quad core processor, 1GB RAM and dual 8MP cameras -a phone like this usually costs upwards of `7,000 today . American brand InFocus has just launched in India and they're offering all these features in their first phone, the InFocus M2, for just `4,999.

In terms of looks, the M2 has an uncanny resemblance to the 1st generation Moto G. It's the same size, almost the same thickness and even has a silver ring around the rear camera module like the Moto. We felt that the phone felt bulky (145 grams) for its size. The rear panel is removable, but the battery is non-removable -dual SIM slots and microSD slot are on the side of the phone under the rear panel. Overall the phone feels well built and solid. However, the white color back tends to get dirty very quickly .

It has a 4.2-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels giving it a density of 355ppi (pixels per inch). Due to the smaller size of the screen, everything on the display looks sharp and it has rich colours too. However, we did not like the weak sunlight legibility -anything on screen content was difficult to read under direct sunlight.

For the price you get a 1.3Ghz quad core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage (5.5GB available for users) -a first in this price range. It runs a customized version of Android 4.4. Like many budget phones, there is no app drawer -all icons and widgets are placed on the home screens. Performance from the phone is surprisingly good. The interface navigation is zippy, apps open fast and even switching between running apps is seamless. It even was able to run Dead Trigger 2 with minimal frame drops if all the background apps were closed.

What surprised us was the camera performance from the InFocus M2. First of all, the phone has dual 8MP cameras -both with LED flash. Most other phones in this price range have a 5MP rear camera and maybe a 2MP front camera. And unlike the below average photos that other budget phones deliver, the M2's cameras perform well. You get bright photos with good detail and natural colours. Moreover, the front camera has a diffused LED flash for taking photos in low light.There is visible noise, but the pics are good enough to be shared on social networks or Whatsapp. It does takes some time to properly focus but it's excusable. In terms of video, it records good quality videos in 1080p HD resolution.Battery life is another area where the phone did not disappoint. We got a full day of battery life with mixed use.

Audio output is where we felt the phone had an issue. While voice call volume was just about passable, the volume using headphones was very low -even while maxing the volume, using high quality files and third-party media players.

Up till now, Xiaomi was the one brand that always surprised by offering topnotch specifications at unheard of price points. InFocus has managed to do the same for the entry-level segment with the M2. If you can extend your budget, then you can also choose between the Xiaomi Redmi 2, Moto E (2nd gen) and the Lenovo A6000 -they all have larger displays and similar specifications.

karan bajaj

ET18MAR15