TECH REVIEW SMARTPHONES
Salora PowerMaxx Z1 Rs.15,999
One of the biggest issues that plagues Android smartphones is the battery life — most usually last a day. Focusing on this issue, Salora has launched their first Android smartphone with a 3,200 mAh battery.
Hardware includes a 1Ghz dual core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card) and Android 4.0 with a customisable launcher. Performance of the phone is a mixed bag — it works well for calling, typing, social networking and multimedia, but the 512MB RAM is not enough for games with heavy graphics or quickly switching between apps. The 8MP camera takes average images in daylight with noise visible at 100% zoom while low light photos suffer from excessive noise. Audio output is surprisingly loud and is good enough for a small room.
Although the phone has good looks with brushed metal finish on the front and textured back panel, it does not provide a firm grip and feels slippery when held. The power and volume buttons are too small for comfortable use too. The 4.5-inch touchscreen has a 960 x 540 pixel resolution and thanks to the ‘zero air gap’ assembly process, the display has rich colors and sharp details with excellent viewing angles.
The highlight of the phone is the 3,200mAh battery, which easily lasts over two days.
As much as this is useful for many smartphone users, the larger battery is also responsible for the added weight — a hefty 170 grams. Overall, a good effort but not the best in the price range. In the same price, also look at Huawei Ascend G600 that has better hardware for the same price.
SPECIFICATIONS 4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels), dual core 1Ghz, 512MB RAM, 4GB + microSD, Android 4.0, 8MP/1.3MP camera, 3200 mAh battery, 170g
Fantastic battery life, excellent display, loud audio output
Heavy, average camera, sub-par performance, feels slippery when held
One of the biggest issues that plagues Android smartphones is the battery life — most usually last a day. Focusing on this issue, Salora has launched their first Android smartphone with a 3,200 mAh battery.
Hardware includes a 1Ghz dual core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card) and Android 4.0 with a customisable launcher. Performance of the phone is a mixed bag — it works well for calling, typing, social networking and multimedia, but the 512MB RAM is not enough for games with heavy graphics or quickly switching between apps. The 8MP camera takes average images in daylight with noise visible at 100% zoom while low light photos suffer from excessive noise. Audio output is surprisingly loud and is good enough for a small room.
Although the phone has good looks with brushed metal finish on the front and textured back panel, it does not provide a firm grip and feels slippery when held. The power and volume buttons are too small for comfortable use too. The 4.5-inch touchscreen has a 960 x 540 pixel resolution and thanks to the ‘zero air gap’ assembly process, the display has rich colors and sharp details with excellent viewing angles.
The highlight of the phone is the 3,200mAh battery, which easily lasts over two days.
As much as this is useful for many smartphone users, the larger battery is also responsible for the added weight — a hefty 170 grams. Overall, a good effort but not the best in the price range. In the same price, also look at Huawei Ascend G600 that has better hardware for the same price.
SPECIFICATIONS 4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels), dual core 1Ghz, 512MB RAM, 4GB + microSD, Android 4.0, 8MP/1.3MP camera, 3200 mAh battery, 170g
Fantastic battery life, excellent display, loud audio output
Heavy, average camera, sub-par performance, feels slippery when held
ALSO SEE Huawei Ascend G600
4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels), dual core 1.2Ghz, 768MB RAM, 4GB + microSD, Android 4.0, 8MP/ VGA camera,1930 mAh battery, 145g
Rs.14,990
4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels), dual core 1.2Ghz, 768MB RAM, 4GB + microSD, Android 4.0, 8MP/ VGA camera,1930 mAh battery, 145g
Rs.14,990
Zen UltraPhone U4 Rs.6499
Zen’s Ultraphone U4 is the first phone in this price segment with a 4.3-inch touchscreen (most phones at this price have a 4-inch display). However, in terms of features and hardware, the U4 is similar other offerings. It has a screen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and runs Android 2.3 on a 1 GHz processor with 512MB RAM.
At first glance, the build quality of the device seems good and it's easy to grip. However, there is a tiny gap between the front glass and the chassis, which attracts dust particles. With just a few days of regular usage, there was a sufficient amount of dust build up.
In terms of performance, the phone is good enough for basic smartphone functions. It works well for calling, simple productivity apps, simple games, social networking, music and low res video playback. Anything else and it starts getting sluggish. HD videos are a big no no and even games like Temple Run and Angry Birds ran with a low frame rate. The 3MP rear camera takes images good enough only for social networking sites. Another issue we faced was of connecting the phone with a data cable to the computer. We tried different cables and computers, but the phone was unable to connect in mass storage mode for transferring data.
The 4.3-inch display alone will not redeem the phone. The performance is acceptable for the price, but the older version of Android and the other issues make it best avoided. For the same price you can consider Lava’s Iris N400: a 4-inch phone with similar hardware and features but better build quality and the newer Android 4.0.
SPECIFICATIONS 4.3-inch (800 x 480 pixels), dual sim, 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB + microSD, Android 2.3, 3.2MP/VGA camera,1500 mAh Large display, good build quality, value for money performance Older version of Android, average camera, issues connecting with PC
Zen’s Ultraphone U4 is the first phone in this price segment with a 4.3-inch touchscreen (most phones at this price have a 4-inch display). However, in terms of features and hardware, the U4 is similar other offerings. It has a screen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and runs Android 2.3 on a 1 GHz processor with 512MB RAM.
At first glance, the build quality of the device seems good and it's easy to grip. However, there is a tiny gap between the front glass and the chassis, which attracts dust particles. With just a few days of regular usage, there was a sufficient amount of dust build up.
In terms of performance, the phone is good enough for basic smartphone functions. It works well for calling, simple productivity apps, simple games, social networking, music and low res video playback. Anything else and it starts getting sluggish. HD videos are a big no no and even games like Temple Run and Angry Birds ran with a low frame rate. The 3MP rear camera takes images good enough only for social networking sites. Another issue we faced was of connecting the phone with a data cable to the computer. We tried different cables and computers, but the phone was unable to connect in mass storage mode for transferring data.
The 4.3-inch display alone will not redeem the phone. The performance is acceptable for the price, but the older version of Android and the other issues make it best avoided. For the same price you can consider Lava’s Iris N400: a 4-inch phone with similar hardware and features but better build quality and the newer Android 4.0.
SPECIFICATIONS 4.3-inch (800 x 480 pixels), dual sim, 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB + microSD, Android 2.3, 3.2MP/VGA camera,1500 mAh Large display, good build quality, value for money performance Older version of Android, average camera, issues connecting with PC
ALSO SEE Lava Iris N400
4-inch (800 x 480 pixels), dual sim, 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB + microSD, Android 4.0, 5MP/ VGA camera,1500 mAh battery Rs.6,499
4-inch (800 x 480 pixels), dual sim, 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB + microSD, Android 4.0, 5MP/ VGA camera,1500 mAh battery Rs.6,499
KARAN
BAJAJ ET130128
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