SMARTPHONE SPECIAL..... NEW BUDGET SMARTPHONES (3)

NEW BUDGET SMARTPHONES (3)





Entry-level smartphones have enough processing muscle to handle every productivity task smoothly and even play Full HD movies. You can also expect a day-long battery life.

MEIZU M5

The Meizu M5 comes with a bare-boned Android installation without even the most basic apps like the Play Store, Gmail and other Google services. It is better suited for tech-savvy tinkerers who want a smartphone they can customise based on their use.

The M5 boasts of a slim profile and rounded glass edges around its display; its build feels solid and the handset looks good too.

Unlike most Android devices, the M5 is equipped with a single navigation button. Press it once to return to the home-screen, tap to go back to the previous screen and long-press to lock the handset. This button also functions as a fingerprint sensor that can be configured to unlock the screen, lock apps and encryptdecrypt data.

Colours on its display appear natural and text appears crisp. You might face some legibility issues in bright sunlight, though it does fare better than the Redmi 4A in this regard.

Its customised user interface has features like call recording, multiple power management modes, gesture recognition and more. But, by default, you don't get Google services and apps like Gmail, Maps and Play Store. You do, however, get instructions in the box on how to install these services.

The M5 posted the highest benchmark scores in this round up. In real-world usage, it handled multi-tasking and entry-level games without any hiccups. Full HD videos and switching between apps did not pose a problem either.

Photos taken with its rear camera appear evenly exposed with neutral colours, but lack detail due to image smoothening. Also, focussing tends to be a hit-and-miss affair, resulting in quite a few blurry shots. The front camera takes decent captures in well-lit environs, but low light images looks blurry and grainy.

The M5 is capable of clear phone calls. Its audio output ­ when watching movies or listening to music ­ is balanced, with clear lows, mids and highs. You also get an equaliser in its Music app to customise your listening experience.

SPECS: 5.2-inch HD display | 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6750 octa-core processor | 3GB RAM | 13MP rear (LED flash), 5MP front camera | 32GB storage, hybrid microSD | 3070mAh battery

Rs 9,599 | RATING: 6.5/10

What the ratings mean: Below 5:

The product is poor and doesn't offer the experience it promises | 5 & 6: The product works as advertised | 7: The product is good; will not disappoint the buyer | 8: Very good; super value for money | 9: The device is exceptional | 10: You're kidding, right?
All ratings awarded to devices factor in prices to arrive at a final score.

Ashutosh Desai TOI 5AUG17