april-issue

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www.mymobile.co.in

APRIL 2015 ď Ź Rs 100 tm

for a connected lifestyle

MWC 2015 The best, brightest and craziest

phone of the month xiaomi redmi 2

the 6,999 battle

Xiaomi redmi 2 vs Lenovo A6000 vs moto e (2nd gen)

Tested

micromax canvas selfie, HTC Desire 526 G+, Lumia 532, Samsung Galaxy A7 and more

@mymobilemag




Editorpage

firstcall Barcelona.

E

very year sees the mobile faithful converge on this beautiful Spanish city and convert it

E D I T O R I AL

into the closest thing geeks have to the Holy

Pankaj Mohindroo |

Land for mobile technology. Yes, I am referring to the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC), which provides

Nimish Dubey | Associate Editor

a platform for different players in the mobile world

Mukesh Kumar Singh | Assistant Editor

to showcase their best and brightest products and

Abhijit Ahaskar | Correspondent

innovations, providing us with a glimpse not only of

Trisha Dey | Content Writer

the best in the industry at the moment, but also of

Renu Yadav | Reporter

the future.

Saumya Nigam | Reporter

And this year was no different. For four days, we were dazzled by an array of devices, services, apps and

DESIGN

concepts at Barcelona. And we have cherry picked the

Ajit Kumar Parashar | Sr. Graphic Designer

ones that we think are the best of the show for you. And

Pooja Papnai | Assistant Graphic Designer

that’s not all - we have also taken a look at the crazy side of the show, with some innovations that seem too

MARKETING

unreal to be true.

Puja Mohindroo | Manager - Business

If there was an event that matched the MWC in terms of curiosity and attention, it was Apple’s launch of its Apple Watch. We now know it will arrive in late

Sandeep Kumar | Manager – Marketing

OPERATIONS

much better idea of what it can and can not do. Will it

K. Rajagopalan | Advisor-Legal, Accounts & Admin

Meanwhile, in India, two events took place that could have a massive impact on the mobile world - the Union Budget and the spectrum auction. We take a closer look at both. For many people, social networking is synonymous with Facebook and Twitter. But out there are a number of social networks, which might not match these worthies in terms of popularity but command a loyal and highly participative following. We take a look at some of the most interesting of these. Of course, no issue of My Mobile would be complete

Deepak Kohli | Manager – Accounts Sneha Sahu | Web Co-ordinator Pooja Sachdeva | Manager – HR

C I R C U LA T I O N Lalit Sharma | Sr. Manager – Circulation

ADVISORY BOARD Prithipal Singh S.C. Khanna S.D. Saxena Rajan Mathews

without an array of reviews of the latest in tech town.

T.R. Dua

Among the devices reviewed this month are the new

T.V. Ramachandran

Moto E, HP Stream 11, the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, the

Shiv K. Bakhshi

Xiaomi Redmi 2, and the Micromax Canvas Selfie. We

Sonu Halan Bhasin

also have reviews of the latest applications and games

Bejon Misra

as well as the opinions of key members of the industry in the pages that follow. Happy reading, then. And do keep the feedback and letters coming - they spur us on like nothing else does.

Follow Us: Pankaj Mohindroo

04 | april 2015

Apoorv Bhatnagar | Sr. Manager – Marketing

April in some countries (not India, alas), and have a spark wearables into life? Read our analysis.

editor-in-chief

Editor-in-Chief

Facebook facebook.com/mymobilemag Twitter twitter.com/MyMobileMag

Edited, published, printed and owned by Pankaj Mohindroo, Published from Flat No. 25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Printed at HT Media Ltd. B-2, Sector 63, Noida. Distributed by My Mobile Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Copyright 2005. My Mobile is a registered trademark of My Mobile Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form– electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without prior permission.

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and the views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged.

Volume XI, Issue III, april 2015

MYMOBILE



content

24

32 20 40 Style Notes

Band, a smart band that does

10 letters

low price.

12 News 16 mobile Doctor 18 consumer

not cost the earth. Staggeringly

40 Chief speak Rahul Sharma, the man behind Micromax and YU on his journey and future plans.

26 mobile sensex The Samsung Galaxy S4 and

B urn Tests

Yota Phone C9660 just be-

44 lemon ocean 101

came more affordable!

forum

45 htc desire 526G+ 46 microsoft lumia 532

73 My Guide

28 etcetera Kingston MicroSDXC card,

20 versus Each of them costs Rs. 6,999,

Quantum QHM6602-M

47 bloom 4.0 lite

power bank, Sigma

48 samsung galaxy A5

and comes with impressive hardware and performance. We

dp2 Quattro camera and more..

compare the Lenovo A6000, Xiaomi Redmi 2 and Moto E (2nd Generation). Guess who won?

32 Lead Story It rained stunning products and concepts at the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona.

24 exclusive We check out the Xiaomi Mi 06 | april 2015

And we have cherry-picked the best. And craziest.

50 micromax canvas selfie 52 hp stream 11 54 moto e 2nd Generation 56 xiaomi redmi 2 58 samsung galaxy a7 MYMOBILE



What's Inside

contents 60 exclusive The awesome duo that could

redefine notebooks - the

beyond Facebook and Twitter.

Shorts, The Disney Side

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro and the

And these five are worth a

changes your look, Selfie

new Apple Macbook

look.

magic with Selfiegram and more

spot light

66

42

We take a look at the latest

spectrum auction

62

What did the Union Budget

2015 offer the mobile industry?

64

apptastic Yes, there are social networks

apple watch Apple has finally released the

94 smart Apps News summarised in News in

96 just in The surprisingly priced InFocus

Apple Watch. But what are its

M2 and Lenovo A7000, the

prospects?

amazing Xiaomi Mi Pad and the

68 boredom buster Find items with Agent Alice,

Samsung Galaxy E7 have arrived.

Swing a racquet with Stick- man Tennis 2015, and more...

98 vantage point The Online and Offline retail battle

66

73 68 Total number of pages = 100 08 | april 2015

MYMOBILE



Inbox

letters

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FOR A CONNECTED LIFESTYLE

MAKE IN INDIA

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

really good. My apps work

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magazine to keep myself

flawlessly and I am loving

and love reading your

updated with the latest

my device.

magazine. It keeps me

camera with best selfie

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updated with the latest

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Sikkim

technology and I enjoy

requirements. My Mobile

reading about. I even

Team, keep up the good

I am a graduation student

bought a Xiaomi Mi 4 after

work.

and prefer to play games

reading about it in your

while traveling anywhere.

magazine. Now I am happy

And with the Boredom

with the handset and its

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battery life.

TESTED

THE PHONE FOR AJAY DEVGN

LENOVO A6000, ASUS PADFONE MINI, MICROMAX CANVAS HUE, HP STREAM 8, SONY SMARTBAND TALK AND MORE

PHONE OF THE MONTH XIAOMI MI4

-Iti Ghosh Bhopal I am a new reader of your

I have been reading your

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fun to read and your MWC

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her with new gadgets by

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informative on the website.

reading My Mobile. Your

mobiles reviews was really

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up the great work. -Mahesh Bapta

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10 | april 2015

e ave th

dh nes an

ream in a d ellpho c y e t k u o o st zy ab ew lines? an als n the late e a r c c d u n f o u hav o a Are y al to pen a for news our hands u think yo o y ti se poten have a no rave to lay t them? If y CV to r u le, c u Do yo e? Do you world abo . Rush you My Mobi in e in ou headl and tell th king for y your name o s o e o l to se gizm u, we are .co.in ine. o e y l i n b i o it az mym e mag team@ best mobil India’s

MYMOBILE



What’s Up

newsbits Pebble comes out with a new smartwatch

Samsung with 16 per cent. XOLO LAUNCHES WIN Q1000 AT RS. 8499 XOLO has launched a Windows Phone, the XOLO Win Q1000 , which will be available at a price of Rs. 8499. The device has a personalized user

Pebble has launched their new

interface with live tiles, built-in

smartwatch called the Pebble

cloud storage, and whole

Time which features a week

collection of apps that include

long battery life, slimmer and

MS Office and MS Outlook. The

sleeker design and a full colored

phone runs on Windows Phone

display. The smartwatch is 20

8.1 and comes with a screen

per cent thinner than the

Size of 5.0 inches and also has

original Pebble and has even

a 2,200 mAh battery. It is

included features like sending

powered by a 1.2 GHz quad

text messages through voice

core processor, with 1GB

command, health tracking and

RAM, and 8 GB internal

notifications.

memory which can be expanded upto 32 GB. The smartphone

Xiaomi top 4G handset vendor in India?

has a 8.0-megapixel rear

Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi,

front facing one.

camera and a 2.0-megapixel

and Samsung and becoming the top 4G handset seller in the

the Canvas Pep at a price of Rs.

-0.13%. The overall tele-

5,999. The Micromax Canvas

density in the wireless category

Pep is available across online

is 76.02 million and 2.14

and offline stores. The

million in the wired line

smartphone is powered by 1.3

category. The total share of

GHz quad-core processor and

urban subscriber in wireless

runs on Android KitKat 4.4.2.

and wired line category is

It also has a 4.5 inch screen

58.11%

80.38%

and 1,700 mAh battery and 1

respectively and the share

GB RAM and it also has 8 GB

of rural subscriber in wireless

internal memory which can be

and wired line category is

expanded upto 32 GB and a 5

41.89%

MP rear camera.

and

and

19.62%

respectively. Garmin launches new Vivosmart wearable

Indian telecom subscriber base reaches 97 crore: TRAI

Indian market in January this

Vívosmart, a stylish activity tracker with smart notifications. The device will help users stay on track with health and wellness goals while providing alerts for texts, calls, calendar from a smartphone. It is easyto-operate as it has a touchscreen that displays time of day, steps, calories, distance, move bar, goal countdown and

year, according to sources. As

more. The Vívosmart will be

per the latest CMR data, Xiaomi

exclusively available from

has been leading the 4G LTE

Snapdeal.com at a price of Rs.

device market with 30.8 per

12,990 and at the time of

cent market share in January.

writing, was coming at an offer

The company is followed by

MICROSOFT LAUNCHES LUMIA 435 AND LUMIA 532 AT RS. 5,999 AND RS. 6,499

Garmin India has launched the

reminders, e-mails and more

has pulled off a surprise by upstaging the likes of Apple

January has decreased to

price of Rs. 10,990 in black,

Microsoft launched its two Lumia devices, the Microsoft Lumia 532 priced at Rs.6,499 and Microsoft Lumia 435 priced at Rs. 5,999. Both the smartphones will be available in bright orange, bright green, white and black, and in single and dual SIM variants. The Microsoft Lumia 435 runs on Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim and has a Screen Size of

Apple with 23.8 per cent, with

The Telecom Regulatory

Samsung at 12.1 per cent,

Authority of India (TRAI) has

HTC with 10 per cent and

revealed

Micromax at 8.3 per cent.

subscription data in India as on

Sources further reported that in

31 January 2015. The total

the fourth quarter of 2014,

number

telephone

has a 2 MP rear camera and a

more than one million devices

subscribers is 979.21 million,

VGA front camera. Also the

with 4G support were shipped

which is more than 97 crore.

Microsoft Lumia 532 runs on

to the Indian market which

The total telephone wireless

same Windows Phone 8.1 with

included tablets, smartphones

subscriber base is 952.34

Lumia Denim with 4-inch

and data cards. Apple had

million, with the net addition in

screen and 1.2 GHz dual-core

led with a 45 per cent market

January 2015 being 8.37

processor. The device has

share at the last quarter of

million, whereas wired lines

1,560mAh battery the same

2014, and was followed by

were down to 26.87 million

Micromax announced the

memory and RAM- 1GB but

HTC with 19 per cent and

where the net addition in

launch of its new smartphone

has a 5 MP rear camera.

12 | april 2015

the

of

telecom

berry, purple, blue and slate in a small and large band size. MICROMAX LAUNCHES CANVAS PEP at RS. 5,999

4-inch with 1,560mAh battery and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. It has 1 GB RAM and 8 GB internal memory that can be expanded upto 128 GB and

MYMOBILE



What’s Up

newsbits TOURISM MINISTRY LAUNCHES HOLIDAYIQ’S OFFLINE MOBILE GUIDE HolidayIQ, one of the largest holiday information portals in India announced the launch of the ‘Offline mobile guide’. Each destination guide has details on sightseeing options that will let the user to download and access traveller reviews and maps for on-the-go access,

are 3 GB RAM and 64 GB

subscribers can avail it at

internal storage. And ensuring

Rs.5,900. The boxes can be

that you never run out of power

booked through the official

is a massive 3,900 mAh fast

website of the company,

charging battery. When users

through the dealers and from

need to charge the battery

the Tata Sky 24X7 helpline.

quickly, the Motorola Turbo

Apart from 4K content, the STB

Charger will provide up to seven

will also display Standard

hours of power on just 15

Definition (SD) and High

minutes of charging.

Definition (HD) channels to the subscribers along with Dolby

be available in Silver and Red colour variants. G Flex 2 has a 5.5 inch Full HD Curved P-OLED display with 2.0 GHz octa core

Digital Plus 7.1 surround

offline mobile guide answers

Bharti releases new version of My Airtel app Bharti Airtel has given its ‘My

the five key questions before

Airtel’ mobile application a very thorough makeover. The

reach, where to go, what to do,

application has been redesigned

Google unveils 31 Indian heritage sites on Google Maps

The device has 2 GB RAM and

each holiday that is how to where to stay and where to

for Android users to allow the

People around the world will

has a 13.0 megapixel rear

book. The offline feature also

customers to discover, access

now be able to explore over 31

camera and a 2.1 megapixel

offers the largest storehouse of

and self-manage Airtel services

more Indian heritage sites on

front facing camera. For

travel information, which is

across mobiles, fixed lines

Google Maps and Google

connectivity front, the

almost 37,000+ hotels,

through and DTH platforms.

Cultural Institute. With the

smartphone

50,000+ sightseeing options

Customers can use ‘My Airtel’

support of the Archaeological

4G LTE, Bluetooth, GPS, USB

across 1300+ destinations,

app to recharge any mobile

Survey of India (ASI), Delhi

and Wi-Fi with 3,000 mAh

which comprise homestays,

number, and can get ‘Airtel

Tourism and Transport

battery.

resorts, serviced apartments,

Surprises’ coupons with offers.

Development Corporation,

tented camps etc for each

In association with Mydala,

Karnataka State Archaeological

destination.

India’s coupon and discount

Department and Maharashtra

marketing platform, ‘Airtel

Tourism, Google has released

Surprises’ will offer coupons for

360-degree online imagery of

popular brands like Café Coffee

India’s architectural marvels

Day, PVR Cinemas, Archies,

and monuments that include

Flipkart.com, Ebay.in, Amazon.

the Gateway of India, Mysore

in, Myntra.com and VLCC.The

Palace, Sun Temple, Nalanda

new ‘My Airtel’ application is

University, the Group of

now available for select users,

Monuments at Pattadakal, and

and will be rolled out for all

the Thanjavur Temple amongst

customers in a short time.

others. This launch of 31 new

even while offline. HolidayIQ’s

Moto Turbo released on Flipkart And Motorola continues its comeback in India. The company has released the Moto Turbo smartphone which will be available for Rs. 41,999 for a 64 GB version on Flipkart. Designed with premium ballistic nylon the Moto Turbo comes with a 5.2-inch Quad

sites will bring the number of

resolution. It is powered by a

Tata Sky Launches 4K Set Top Box Tata Sky, a Direct-To-Home

powerful

HD display with 2560x1440

sound.

Qualcomm

(DTH) operator provider has

Snapdragon quad core

launched their first 4K set top

processor and runs on Android

box in India. The new customers

Lollipop 5.0 operating system.

can subscribe the 4K set-top-

The device comes with a 21.0

box at Rs.6,400. The existing

ASI locations now online to 127, including the heritage sites that launched in February and June 2014 such as Safdarjung’s Tomb, the Taj Mahal, and Ellora Caves.

Snapdragon 810 processor and runs on Android Lollipop OS. has 16 GB and 32 GB variants for the internal memory. G Flex2

has

Akshay Dhoot takes over as Technology Head at Videocon Videocon has brought Akshay Dhoot on board as the Head of Technology in the company. He is expected to bring fresh vision and energy towards the futuristic technology in the field of consumer electronics and home appliances. The company said that in his new role, Akshay will be active in formulating technologically advanced products at Videocon and will oversee transformation of the consumer electronics segment into a next-gen enterprise. A University of Warwick graduate, Akshay has worked from corner to corner in the Videocon Group

movie-quality video and also

LG launches G Flex 2 at Rs. 55,000 LG has launched G Flex2

has a 2.0 megapixel front

smartphone in India at

manufacturing and R&D for

facing camera. Also on board

Rs.55,000 and the handset will

Videocon D2H and CE&HA.n

megapixel rear camera with 4K

14 | april 2015

companies and has played a key

role

in

service,

MYMOBILE



Q&A

MobileDoctor Huawei Honor 6 and the Lenovo

to have a phone with great

Sir, I really like My Mobile

Vibe X2, both of which come

display and a very good camera.

magazine. Suggest me a good

with 5.0-inch full HD displays,

From Samsung Grand 2 or

selfie phone under Rs. 20,000.

very powerful processors and

Samsung Note 3 Neo, which

My requirement is a big display

excellent cameras, and fit into

one will be a good option for

and awesome battery backup.

your budget.

me? Besides these two, which

-Jayant Kumar

one will be a good device under

If selfies are important to you,

this price range?

then we would suggest that you

Sir, I am using Samsung E7

I want to buy a new Android One handset. What about Micromax A091? -Dinesh Suthar

right now. I would like to know

-Sachin Deshkari

try the Micromax Canvas Selfie

if Acer E700 is worth

Of the two devices that you

which comes with an excellent

purchasing. Kindly advise as

have shortlisted, we would go

13.0-megapixel front facing

the product is lying for transit

with the Galaxy Note 3 Neo as

camera and is well within your

and your suggestion is highly

it has a better camera. We also

budget (it is priced at

recommended.

think that the S-Pen stylus

Rs.15,999). However, it does

functionality that comes with

not come with a very large

-Navjit K. Chopra

I don’t think the Micromax

display. If you want a good selfie

A091 is an Android One device.

camera with a relatively large

The Android One device from

display then we would suggest

the company is called the

the Xiaomi Mi 4 which has a

Canvas One. And I think it

very good 8.0-megapixel front

would be a very good idea to

facing camera and also has a

invest in it as it comes with

full HD 5.0-inch display, and

decent hardware and is assured

also very good battery life. The

Android updates for a while.

challenge with the Mi 4,

Mind you, you could also check

however, will be getting it, as it

out the new Moto E, which

sells out very fast. Lenovo’s Vibe

costs about the same but has a

X2 is another very good selfie

better quality display and

camera device that comes

processor to offer.

within your budget, but its battery life is not as good as that

I want to buy an Android

of the Mi 4.

smartphone in the range of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000. The handset should have a good

-Harshraj Jadhav

The Acer E700 is a very decent

the Note 3 Neo will actually

You should consider grabbing

device, but we think that the

give you a better image

the Xiaomi Mi 4, which comes

Galaxy E7 scores over it in

editing experience than you

with a full HD 5.0-inch display,

terms of display (Samsung has

would get on the Grand 2. If you

3 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and

an excellent super AMOLED

are open to other options, we

Is your mobile phone acting strange? Email your queries at team@mymobile. co.in and our mobile doctor Arshdeep Singh will suggest remedies for your ailing device.

a very 13.0-megapixel rear

display) and camera quality. So

would also suggest you consider

Disclaimer: The

camera and a 8.0-megapixel

we would advise you to stay

the OnePlus One which is

front facing camera, and is

with the Galaxy E7 at this

available for Rs. 21,999 from

available for Rs. 19,999. It

time.

Amazon and comes with a very

rear camera and should support good Internet connectivity. Please suggest.

runs on MIUI 6, which is a very

good 5.5 inch full HD display

feature rich version of Android.

My budget is between Rs.

and a very good 13.0-megapixel

You can also consider the

20,000 to Rs. 22,000. I want

camera.

16 | April 2015

views expressed by Arshdeep Singh are his own and do not necessarily coincide with those of My Mobile.

MYMOBILE



Your Voice

consumerforum Complaint-1

I bought Lava Tab E702 and now it is out off warranty. I took my Tab for repair in service center at Mobile Care, Nashik. The representative at the repair center took my handset for repair of the Touchpad. When I went to collect it back they told me that company informed them that the part is not available. They returned the handset to me without repairing. When I called on their help line number, they said that “the part is not available. We can’t do anything.” They asked me to take back my device and even rejected to give a DOA (Dead on arrival). Now My tab is at service center only. I am ready to pay the cost of replacement or cost of the touchpad. I thought that an Indian manufacturing company is working well, but now I think I was wrong. I request you to help or else I will take a legal action against Lava. - Abhinandan Bedmutha Lava response: Awaited

Complaint-2

I purchased a Micromax Funbook Talk Tab P360 on 24th November 2013 with a warranty of 1 year. Just after 1 month, it started hanging and the battery used to end up too soon within an hour of usage. We gave it to the service centre and it was returned after 2 months. Again, after sometime it started having the same problem. As usual, we went to the service centre. After keeping the tab for atleast 1 month they informed us that we

FORM IV (see rule 8) My Mobile 1.

Place of publication

:

New Delhi

2.

Periodicity of its publication :

Monthly

3.

Printer's Name

:

Pankaj Mohindroo

Nationality

:

Indian

Address :

#25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001.

4.

Publisher's Name

:

Pankaj Mohindroo

Nationality

:

Indian

Address :

#25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001.

5.

Editor's Name

:

Pankaj Mohindroo

Nationality

:

Indian

Address :

#25, First Floor Shankar Market Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001.

6. Name and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholder' holding more than one per cent of the total capital: OWNER Pankaj Mohindroo, #25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. I, Pankaj Mohindroo, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

have to pay money to get it repaired, even under the warranty period. Anyway, we agreed. After keeping it for almost 3-4 months they refused to repair it, saying that it was non-repairable and they returned us the gadget when the warranty period was over, in 2014. Due to this casual attitude from the service centre, my warranty period got over without my gadget getting repaired. I want the company to return my money or replace the gadget.

Every time I went to the service centre, they informed me that the device is not available and will be available by the next week. I am sick of visiting the centre and calling them again and again. This is an unprofessional attitude which was never expected from HTC. The warranty of the above device will be over soon and till now I do not have any clue regarding its replacement. Please give me some relevant feedback when the motherboard replacement of the unit is possible.

-Akanksha Singh Micromax’s Response: Awaited

Complaint-3

I have been following up the HTC Repair Order Status – 14INA330016495 – for the last two months and visited the HTC Centre at Ameerpet in Hyderabad many times but I did not get any positive revert from their customer support team.

18 | april 2015

-Karishma Jain HTC’s Response: Awaited Are you being harassed by a Telco that doesn’t hear your plea? Email your issues to consumer-forum@mymobile.co.in and we will take up your cause with the concerned company. Kindly mention your contact number at the end of the Email so that we can get in touch with you. Whenever possible, also provide us complete details of the correspondence with the Telco.

MYMOBILE



Face-Off

versus

The Budget Phone Battle Want a very good phone for less than Rs. 7,000? You have not one, not two, but three very good devices to choose from. But which of the three – the Lenovo A6000, the Xiaomi Redmi 2 and the Moto E (2nd generation) meet your needs the best? We attempt to find out. By Nimish Dubey

T

wo years ago,

exactly the same: Rs. 6999.

department by two phones

is a very impressive 8.2 mm.

getting a good

All three deliver very good

from China, then we would

In terms of materials used, all

phone for under

hardware and software and

have laughed at the very idea.

three devices use plastic, but

Rs. 7,000 was

price. But which of them is

However, when you clap eyes

we think the A6000 steals

well nigh impossible. It

the one for you? Well, we pit

on the three phones, there is no

a march with its slicker look

speaks volumes to just how

the three against each other to

doubt that it is the Moto E (2nd

and the fact that in spite of

much mobile technology has

find out.

generation) that cuts the most

being the biggest of the three

modest figure of the three. No,

devices, at 128 grammes, it is

we are not saying that it looks

actually the lightest (ironically,

bad, but at 12.3 mm, the Moto

the smallest of the three, the

progressed that today users that budget. And all three come

Looks and appearance

from companies with very good

If you had told us a decade ago

E is easily the thickest of the

Moto E, is also the heaviest at

track records – the new Moto

that a phone by Motorola, a

three and actually looks a bit

143 grammes. The Redmi 2 is

E, the Lenovo A6000 and the

company known for its design,

bulky – the Redmi 2 is 9.4

133 grammes). The Redmi 2

Xiaomi Redmi 2. All three cost

would be beaten in the looks

mm while the Lenovo A6000

comes second with its metallic

have three very good options for

20 | APRIL 2015

MYMOBILE


Face-Off

versus

buttons on the side, while the

a hammering from both the

and the Redmi 2. Add to that

to protect it from scratches

Moto E, rather surprisingly

Redmi 2 and the Lenovo

the fact that both the Lenovo

while the A6000’s display

brings up the rear.

A6000. For honestly, the

and Xiaomi devices support

is unprotected. On the other

Ranking: 1. Lenovo A6000,

Moto E’s quad core Qualcomm

4G, while the Moto E version

hand, the A6000 has dual

2. Xiaomi Redmi 2, 3. Moto E

Snapdragon 200 processor,

released in India is a 3G device,

speakers while the Redmi 2

(2nd generation)

960 x 540 display and 5.0

and the difference between

has just one and some might

megapixel rear and VGA front

them gets embarrassing. The

also prefer its larger display.

Hardware

camera combination are totally

hardware battle then turns into

Honestly, we must confess it is

The Moto E pioneered the

and utterly outclassed by the

a slugfest between the A6000

a tight finish between the two,

concept of a good smartphone

64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon

and the Redmi 2. The Redmi

so much so that we are going

that does not cost the earth.

410 processor, 720p display

2’s smaller display means

to call this a tie.

So it is not a little ironical

and the 8.0-megapixel rear

it has better pixel density

Ranking: 1. Lenovo A6000

that in the hardware stakes,

and 2.0-megapixel front facing

and it also comes with a

and Xiaomi Redmi 2, 3. Moto

its second generation takes

cameras on the Lenovo A6000

laminated Dragontrail coating

E (2nd generation)

www.mymobile.co.in

APRIL 2015 | 21


Face-Off

versus

22 | april 2015

Software

Multimedia

After taking a lot of punishment

Yes, we liked the “twist to

General performance

in the first two parameters,

shoot” capability in the new

There is no doubt that of the

this is where the Moto E

Moto E, a feature that was

three, the Moto E works the

(2nd generation) comes to

a part of the flagship Moto

smoothest. Move into heavier,

the fore. It is the only one of

X. But truth be told, the

high definition territory however

the three devices to be running

Moto E’s 5.0-megapixel

and chinks begin to appear in

on Android Lollipop. On the

camera does not fare too

its armour – the Redmi 2 and

other hand, both the Lenovo

well when compared to the

A6000 both handled games

A6000 and the Xiaomi Redmi

shooters on the Redmi 2 and

like FIFA 15 much better

2 run on Android KitKat (4.4).

the Lenovo A6000. Both have

than the Moto E. That said,

However, the Xiaomi Redmi 2

better selfie cameras too – the

multi-tasking worked the best

comes with the latest version

VGA camera of the Moto E

on the Moto E, as long as one

of Xiaomi’s MIUI 6. The

is a very token presence. In

sticks to routine tasks like Web

A6000 comes with a number

camera quality, the Redmi 2

browsing, social networking

of handy apps, but lags

outclasses the Lenovo A6000

and mail. But the Redmi 2 and

behind the feature-rich

by a distance, being far more

the A6000 score heavily in

MIUI 6 and the pure Google

consistent and capturing

gaming and videos. Battery life

experience on the Moto E. We

much more detail and

was best on the A6000, while

think this is a close call between

representing colours better.

call quality was the best on the

the pure, Android on the Moto

The Lenovo A6000 however

Moto E. It is a very very close

E and the feature laden MIUI 6.

hits back with its bigger display

battle here and we will go with

The geeks will prefer the former

and better audio, courtesy

the Moto E here.

but the mainstream consumer

those dual speakers. It is a

Ranking: 1. Moto E (2nd

is more likely to head to the

close battle but we will hand

generation), 2. Xiaomi Redmi

latter. We are calling this one a

this one to the Redmi 2 by a

2, 3. Lenovo A6000

tie between the two.

whisker.

Ranking: 1. Moto E (2nd

Ranking: 1. Xiaomi Redmi 2, 2.

Conclusion

generation) and Xiaomi Redmi

Lenovo A6000, 3. Moto E (2nd

From our tests, it is clear that in

2, 3. Lenovo A6000

generation)

terms of camera and interface,

the Redmi 2 holds a clear edge over the competition. The Moto E on the other hand scores in terms of sheer smoothness of operation. The Lenovo A6000 for its part, is easily the best looking of the threesome, has the largest display of the three and also picks up points for its superb dual audio speakers. At the end of the day, which one works best for you is going to be entirely a matter of your needs. Those who want a very good camera and a feature rich interface will love the Redmi 2, the nerd crowd will prefer the plain and pure Android available on the Moto E as well as the promise of assured future updates, while those looking for a big display and good sound, with consistent performance will opt for the Lenovo A6000. One thing we can assure you of: no matter which of the three you purchase, you are likely to get more than ample value for money. n nimishdubey@mymobile.co.in

MYMOBILE



Special

exclusive Xiaomi Mi Band Fitness Band on a Budget!

T

he wearable revolution might

smartband business, it launched the

options, such as unlocking the phone

not have taken off in the manner

Mi Band at a staggeringly low price – a

by simply holding it in the hand

in which many people had expected

mere USD 13. Although not officially

holding the phone. The Mi Band

it to, but what cannot be denied is

launched in India, it is available on

can also tell you of incoming calls

that it has opened the market to a

a number of e-commerce portals,

and vibrates gently when you set an

whole new series of devices, the

such as Amazon which are selling it

alarm on your phone and when you

most notable of which is the fitness

at higher prices in the region of Rs.

achieve your targets. Data sent to the

band. Unlike smartwatches which

1,900, but even at that price, the

phone includes walking and sleeping

have displays, most fitness bands

Mi Band is a bargain as compared to

(provided you wear it to bed), and you

are simple modules that are placed

other smart bands.

can also get it to count sit ups and

inside a band, which is generally

Mind you, it does not look cheap at

the number of times you jump rope.

worn on the wrist and collates and

all. It comes with a solid component

It is water resistant so yes, you can

sends data back to a device (usually

that can be slipped into a band (we

wear it in a pool or in the shower too.

a phone) over Bluetooth, based on

got the black coloured one), and

And best of all, its battery lasts close

which the phone display information

well, after one charge, you just need

to a month on a single charge. All of

like distance covered, amount of

to place it on your wrist. You can pair

it makes it easily the best value for

time spent sleeping and so on. Most

it with most Android KitKat devices

money wearable out there. We only

smartbands in the market cost in

using the Mi Fit app, but those who

hope Xiaomi launches it officially in

the vicinity of Rs. 5,000, so it was

use it along with Xiaomi devices like

India soon. n

surprising when Xiaomi got into the

the Mi 3 and Mi 4 get some handy

nimishdubey@mymobile.co.in

Price: USD 13(Rs. 820 approximately)

24 | april 2015

MYMOBILE



mobilesensex

bazaar bargain Samsung Galaxy S4

Yota Phone C9660

When it was launched in India in 2013, the Galaxy S4 was considered the prince of Android flagships. And so good was its hardware that even today it cuts an impressive figure. It boasted a 5.0-inch full HD Super AMOLED display and was powered by an Exynos octa core processor, with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB of expandable storage. Although currently running Android KitKat, it is upgradeable to Lollipop and its 13.0-megapixel camera remains one of the best we have used. Yes, the TouchWiz interface with all its gimmickry might not appeal to everyone, but what cannot be denied is that it remains a fantastic phone. And at its current price, a fantastic bargain. n

The Yota Phone was one of the most innovative phones in the Indian market last year. It featured a dual screen – a regular 4.3 inch HD one in front and an e-paper display of a similar size on the back. In essence it meant that you had two screens, and the e-ink display on the back virtually consumed very little battery. It takes some getting used to, but with 2 GB RAM and a very decent 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a good 8.0-megapixel camera, the Yota Phone was a very good performer. Yes, we thought it was a bit expensive when it was launched, but at almost half its price now, it is quite a deal for those who like to do things differently. n

Launched at: Rs. 41,500 Current Price: Rs. 17,999 (on Amazon) Price fall: 56.63 per cent

26 | april 2015

team@mymobile.co.in

Launched at: Rs. 24,999 Current Price: Rs.12,986 (On Flipkart) Price fall: 48.05 per cent

MYMOBILE



Gadget Corner

ETCETERA

Kingston MicroSDXC (128 GB) Stacks of storage

I

f you really doubt that phones are beginning to attain computer like

dimensions and importance, just take a look at the amount of data stored on them these days. A few years ago, 16 GB was considered more than adequate for most people’s needs. Today, phones like the BlackBerry Passport come with support for up to 128 GB of expanded storage. And it is to cater to these needs that Kingston has released the class 10 microSDXC. As its name indicates, it is a microSD card, but what makes it special is a staggering 128 GB of storage on it. It is a class 10 card so you can be assured of brisk write and read speeds on it as well, and in a very clever touch, Kingston has also bundled a microSD card adapter with it, so you can not only use the card in your phones and tablets but also in computers and cameras if need be. The price is not

Price: Rs. N/A

confirmed yet, but it is certainly a great option for mobile data hogs.

Quantum QHM6602-M The charger with a torch!

S

martphones might be getting more powerful but their battery lives keep diminishing – those HD displays and

mighty processors need a lot of juice. Which is why the battery charger market is on a upswing these days. And the latest to come to the market is well-known electronic devices manufacturer, Quantum Hi Tech, which has come up with a power bank called the QHM6602-M. The power bank has a 7,800 mAh Lithium-Ion battery, which can charge 2-3 device in a full single charge. The device comes with two USB slots which let two devices get charged simultaneously. The QHM6602-M can be charged by a micro-USB cord. The device contains an LED indicator which indicates the charging status of the device and also comes with a Torch feature which can be accessed by pressing the power button twice and can be switched off by repeating the process. The device was solidly built and easy to operate, although its appearance could have been better and some might find it a bit on the heavier side. And at Rs. 1,490, some might find it too expensive when you consider that Xiaomi is selling

Price: Rs. 1,490 28 | april 2015

10,000 mAh power banks at lower prices.

MYMOBILE


Asus EeeBook The return of the netbook

A

sus was one of the pioneers of

11.6-inch display with 1366 x 768

the keyboard and trackpad a bit too

the netbook revolution which

resolution and is powered by a quad

cramped for our looking and as the

took place in 2007, with its famous

core Intel Bay Trail processor clocked

display is not a touchscreen, we

EeePC range of notebooks that were

at 1.83 GHz, and backed up by 2

think that those accustomed to using

lightweight but were very affordable

GB RAM. Storage might seem a bit

Windows 8.1 on a touchscreen will

and easy to carry around. There had

on the lower side at just 32 GB but

struggle to come to grips with it for

been fears that the iPad and other

the notebook has two USB ports and

a while. But once you get the hang of

tablets had ended the market for these

a card reader, so you can store extra

matters, the EeeBook is a very useful

devices, but recent events seem to

gigs there if need be. Also present

device for the mobile professional.

indicate a resurgence in the netbook

are a micro HDMI port and a 3.5 mm

It weighs under a kilogram and its

segment, and once again, Asus is

jack, and making sure all this runs for

battery life is close to eight hours,

leading the charge, this time with

a while is a two-cell battery.

both of which are very impressive

the EeeBook. And just as the EeePC

And as long as you do not burden

figures. And at Rs. 14,999, it delivers

stood out from the netbook crowd,

it with any heavy duty applications or

fantastic value for money. No, it is not

so does the EeeBook. It comes in a

games and stick to basic tasks like

perfect – we would have liked a better

variety of colours (blue, white, red and

browsing the Web, word processing,

keyboard and USB 3.0 ports rather

gold) and is sleekly designed (a mere

social networking and the odd casual

than USB 2.0 ones, but at that price,

17.5 mm thick). The specifications

game, the EeeBook turns in a very

the EeeBook could well herald the

are respectable too – it comes with a

good performance indeed. We found

return of the netbook. In style.

Gadget Corner

ETCETERA

Price: Rs. 14,999

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 29


Gadget Corner

ETCETERA

Price: Rs. 79,990

Sigma dp2 Quattro Super DSLR back up for the pros

C

ompact cameras are catching

shooters, of which the Quattro dp2

point n shoot and sometimes even

up as an alternative to DSLRs

is the first member. It doesn’t fit

getting the focus right can be a

as they too can offer a lot of the

the conventional description of a

challenge. It lacks a viewfinder but

features and quality that some of

compact camera as it stretches

there is a 3-inch LCD screen that

the DSLRs can muster. But, while

longer than two point n shoot

gives a fair idea of how the shots

that may sound fine on paper, it

cameras put together, yet it is built

would eventually look like. The UI

doesn’t hold true for the entire

more solidly than some DSLRs.

is simple and easy to operate and

compact looking cameras and

The supple exterior, matte finish

the controls are comfortably lined

it can be really difficult to find a

not only it gives it an unusual aura

up on the body. The battery is not

point n shoot that can fill in as a

but makes it an apt companion for

that great but Sigma offers a spare

secondary camera for high-end

rugged outings. It stocks a 30mm

battery with the camera. It is priced

DSLR users. You have to venture

lens, offers as many modes as a

at Rs. 79,990, which is a little on

into the mirrorless camera territory,

DSLR, and although it lacks video

the higher side for a camera that

which is growing quite popular these

recording, it can turn out high

doesn’t even offer video recording.

days, or if you want something more

quality shots especially on the RAW

It is best suited for the professionals

spectacular you can try out Sigma’s

format. Handling it can be difficult

who need a simple camera to fall

new range of high-quality compact

as it is not as simple to master as a

back on from time to time.

30 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


A54

8 1.3 Ghz, Quad Core Processor 8 12.7 CM (5.0") FWVGA IPS LCD Display 8 8.0 MP Rear Camera, Front 3.2 MP 8 G/P/L- Sensors (optional) 8 4GB+1GB Memory up to 32GB TF Card 8 WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, FM & GPS

First Time in India

A47 8 1.3Ghz, Quad Core Processor 8 11.43 CM (4.5") FWVGA IPS LCD Display

a-Note 8 1.5 Ghz, Quad Core Processor 8 13.97 CM (5.5") QHD IPS LCD Display 8 8.0 MP Rear Camera, Front 3.2 MP 8 8GB+1GB Memory up to 32GB TF Card 8 G/P/L- Sensors (optional) 8 2500 mAh Long Battery

Free Cloud Storage

8 5.0 MP Camera, Front 2.0 MP 8 4GB+512 MB Memory up to 32GB TF Card 8 WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, FM & GPS

4 tb

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A1+ Octa Core 8 1.7Ghz, Octa Core Processor 8 11.43 CM (4.5") QHD IPS LCD Display 8 8.0 MP Rear Camera, Front 2.0 MP 8 G/P/L-Sensors 8 8GB+1GB Memory Up to 32GB TF Card 8 WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, FM & GPS

For trade enquiries please contact: Pancham : +91 - 9910519494, email: info@adcomhitech.com


Limelight

lead story

The Best of MWC 2015

The 2015 edition of the Mobile World Congress saw some amazing products and concepts being unveiled and showcased by big brands as well as relative newcomers. Here is our look at the products that rocked Barcelona between March 2 and 5 this year. By Nimish Dubey

F

or most technology followers all over the world, the Spanish city of Barcelona becomes the holy land of mobile technology for a brief period every year. This is because

the city hosts the Mobile World Congress, arguably the biggest event in the mobile tech business. Thousands throng the city as the best and brightest of the industry showcase their best. This year was no different. From March 2-5, the mobile faithful packed the Fira Gran Via and rare indeed was the hour that passed without a major announcement of some sort or the other. It was a hectic time indeed. Companies launched

32 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


Limelight

lead story

new products, showcased concepts and expressed their opinions on issues pertaining to the mobile world. When the dust had settled, one was left with memories of a wonderfully innovative, if sometimes insane five days in Spain. It would not be possible to report on every product that was shown at the event, so we have restricted ourselves to twenty - fourteen that we think will be making news in the coming days and six that have a hint of the ‘crazy’ about them, showing just what technology is capable of, well beyond the ‘normal’ pale of everyday life. Read on to find out more...

www.mymobile.co.in

march 2015 | 19


lead story

Limelight

MWC 2015: The Stars Lenovo Pocket Projector

M

ention the word “projector” and people conjure up mental images of something that is large and bulky

and not the easiest to set up. Well, Lenovo unveiled a projector that literally could fit into your pocket. It can be snapped on to an Android device and then will project images, videos and presentations on to a surface of upto 110 inches. It automatically corrects for distortion and comes with a 50 lumens high contrast engine. It supports most media formats and can also take a 32 GB memory card. But what really makes it rock is its sheer pocketability.

BlackBerry Leap

L

ike Microsoft, BlackBerry too used Barcelona as a platform to

launch a mainstream device rather than a flagship. The BlackBerry Leap shown at MWC seems to be the successor of the Z3 and is aimed squarely at those looking for a good smartphone without busting

LG Watch Urbane LTE

L

G proved it was capable of upping the wearable design ante when it delivered the very good looking

LG G Watch R. And at MWC this year, it got right into

their bank accounts. The phone’s

the luxury wearables with the classy Urbane range. Of

specifications (5.0-inch HD

particular interest was the Urbane LTE which looked

display, Qualcomm Snapdragon

awesome but did not run Android Wear but instead

S4 Plus processor, 2 GB RAM, 8.0-

ran on LG’s own wearable platform, based on the

megapixel camera, 16 GB storage)

Web OS. It’s largely metallic build is gorgeous

might not sound cutting edge but

as is the 1.3 inch display. It might take some

then if the past is any indication,

getting used to with the new interface and

it is likely to comfortably hold its

buttons, but in terms of appearance at least,

own against the opposition in the

it compares very favourably with anything in the

messaging and browsing world and

market, including the Apple Watch. And well, LTE

of course, it comes with the latest version of the BB 10 OS.

34 | april 2015

connectivity means you can make and receive calls without Bluetooth pairing with a handset.

MYMOBILE


lead story

Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3

A

lcatel may not have been making as many waves as some of the better known brands but it has been

grabbing attention constantly with innovative products at decent prices and this time at the MWC, it turned heads with its Onetouch Idol 3. Turned heads literally. For while the tech specs of the device itself were solid rather than spectacular, what really grabbed attention was the fact that the phone could be used perfectly even when held upside down, thanks to its reversible interface. The phone comes in two variants – one with a 4.7 inch HD display and another with a 5.5 inch full HD one, which also packs in a more powerful processor. And no, neither is expected to cost the earth.

LG FxO

HTC One M9

F

I

f Barcelona this year saw Samsung change its design philosophy,

irefox OS devices made some waves in the market last year but were criticized

for coming with low-end hardware. Well, that

it also saw HTC sticking with its existing one. Pun intended. The

is not a charge you can level at the LG FxO,

new flagship from HTC, the One M9 was not the radical makeover that

which comes with a 4.7 inch HD display,

some had predicted, but retained the svelte looks of its predecessor,

powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400

the One M8, which adding some serious hardware muscle under the

processor with 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB storage

hood: a better processor, a 20-megapixel camera and an Ultrapixel

and boasts an 8.0-megapixel camera. But

front facing camera. HTC also reworked its HTC Sense UI to make

more than the hardware and the OS, it is the

it more customizable and retained the front facing speakers that

appearance of the FxO that is likely to make

place it in a zone of its own, but what people will remember most

the most waves – some say it is the world’s

of the phone is its dazzling dual tone body.

first totally transparent smartphone. You can literally see its innards from the back cover.

HTC Vive

E

It could well be the high profile hit that the Firefox OS platform needs.

veryone expected a new One from

HTC at MWC. What they did not, however, expect was that the company would come out with a virtual reality headset in collaboration with gaming giant, Valve. Which is what made the HTC Vive perhaps the biggest surprise of this year’s MWC. While we have seen such concepts in the past, both HTC and Valve upped the ante a bit by actually allowing users to walk around in a virtual room and interact with a simulated environment (picking up objects and so on), instead of just sitting in one place. The headset is expected to be released by the end of the year and many observers felt that it was more mainstream oriented than the older Oculus Rift.

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 35


Limelight

lead story Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

I

t was a rather quiet MWC for Sony by its own very high standards, but that did not mean that the company did

not show off some impressive products. The most impressive of the lot was the Xperia Z4 tablet. At 6.1 mm, the 10.1 inch tablet is one of the slimmest around, and packs in a lot of hardware firepower as well, including a 2K display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor. In fact, you can even play PlayStation 4 games on it using Remote Play.

It weighs just 393 grammes but still packs in a battery so powerful that it can deliver 17 hours of video playback. Oh and it remains water proof and dust-tight. Android has a new flagship tablet, we think.

Microsoft Lumia 640 and 640 XL

M

Huawei Watch

H

uawei surprised everyone at Barcelona by unveiling the gorgeous Huawei Watch. With a sapphire crystal display

and a stainless steel case, the watch is perhaps the finest looking

icrosoft did not unleash a new flagship

Android Wear wearable around. And it packs a fair deal of hardware

at Spain as some had predicted but

punch too – the 42 mm

its Lumia 640 twins are likely to generate

AMOLED display has a

just as much interest. Aimed squarely at

400 x 400 resolution and a

the mid-segment which is getting a lot of

pixel density of 286 ppi, it

traction these days, both are powered by a

comes with 512 MB RAM and

Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and come

4 GB onboard storage. But we

with 1GB RAM, 8 GB storage (expandable)

suspect that the reason why

and of course, run Windows Phone 8.1. The

it will attract a lot of users

difference comes in the matter of display and

is because of its extremely

camera – the Lumia 640 has a 5.0-inch 720p

attractive design, which to

display and a 8.0-megapixel rear camera, while

us seemed a notch above even

the Lumia 640 XL has a larger 5.7 inch 720p

the Moto 360.

display and a 13.0-megapixel camera with Zeiss optics. Both will have 4G LTE options and will also be upgradeable to Windows 10. And neither is expected to cost a bomb!

Lenovo Vibe Shot

L

enovo has been paying particular attention to the cameras on its devices and at MWC, the company

showed off a phone that looked like a classic point and shooter, from the placement of the lens to the sleek build. And it packs in a very powerful 16.0-megapixel camera too with infrared autofocus and tricolor flash. As a phone, it is decent too, with a full HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 32 GB of storage which can be expanded. We can see many people falling in love with this device for its looks, and Lenovo is betting that its imaging muscle will make it one of the most successful camera phones around.

36 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


Limelight

lead story Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard

N

o, we would not have believed it if you had told us that one of the stars of this year’s MWC would be a keyboard made by Microsoft. But the Universal Foldable

Keyboard shown off by the Redmond behemoth was just that. The biggest attraction of the keyboard was its sheer portability – fold it down the middle and carry it along, unfold it and start working. The keyboard comes with good, large keys and can be paired with just about any device and even two devices at one time. And well, it will slip into most handbags easily. The crowds clamouring to see it at MWC proved that the age of the keyboard was certainly not over. Not yet.

Gionee Elife S7

G

ionee has been setting benchmarks for slim phones that turn in a decent performance,

and at Barcelona it continued this tradition with the beautifully crafted Elife S7. The S7 is 5.5 mm thin and is made of glass and aluminium magnesium alloy. And unlike other slim phones which tend to compromise on performance on the altar of slimness, the S7 packs in some very serious hardware – it comes with MediaTek’s 64-bit octa core processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, and a 5.2 inch full HD AMOLED display, a 13.0-megapixel camera on the rear and a 8.0megapixel camera on the front, and surprisingly, a large 2,750 mAh battery. A super slim phone that actually performs and is not just about good looks? The Elife S7 could be it.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

A

s expected, Samsung released

its

new

Galaxy S flagship devices at Barcelona. Gone was the plastic of the past and in its place was glass and metal, and in the case of the S6 Edge, a display that flowed over one side. What had not changed was the sheer hardware muscle packed in – both come with brilliant 5.1 inch Super AMOLED quad HD displays and are powered by powerful processors and sport fantastic 16.0megapixel cameras. Add the latest Android, a reworked TouchWiz and we have reason to believe that Samsung was back to its best.

www.mymobile.co.in

April 2015 | 37


lead story

Limelight

MWC - The Crazy Side The Eye Tribe Tracker

F

irst there was the keyboard. Then came touchscreens. And next will be, well, your

eyes. Yes, the folks at The Eye Tribe showcased a technology at Barcelona that will allow you to control a phone with your eyes. This includes scrolling, navigating and selecting items on your phone with your natural eye movement. And this is not some wild concept - there is already a software development kit out there for those who want to try it. The Eyes have it.

Ikea Wireless Charging

W

ant to recharge your phone? Well, just place it on the table lamp or

your bedside table. And no need to bother about wires or anything. That’s furniture expert Ikea’s idea of charging your gadgetry. The company showcased a host of wireless charging options that came built into table lamps, bedside tables and even a wireless charger that can be placed in furniture as per your preference. And of course, all designed with typical Ikea brilliance.

Bluesmart Smart Suitcase

W

e have smartwatches, smartphones, smart televisions, and well, if Bluesmart have their way,

smart luggage too. The Bluesmart suitcase comes with a host of sensors that allow you to control it from your phone via an app. You can lock and unlock it, find out its weight (so convenient at airports), get notified if you go too far away from it, and well, you can even charge your phone from it using an inbuilt battery. The most connected suitcase around, we reckon.

18 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


U-Wake

T

he U-Wake is not your run of the mill wearable. No, it won’t alert you about incoming mail, calls or social

network alerts. What it will however do is just as important: it will let you know every time you doze off while driving. The U-Wake is a wearable brainwave sensor that can be worn like a headband and measures brainwaves, information about which is then sent to a smartphone, and which lets people determine whether you are too tired to drive. Friends and family can get alerts about this and can then either ask

Click ‘N’ Pizza

N

Limelight

lead story

you to rest or call you to wake you up. Now, that’s the kind of tech tired minds and bodies need!

o, it is not a phone. Or an app. But Click ‘N’ Pizza was certainly one of the most popular products

shown at Barcelona. In essence it does only one thing. It orders pizza. It is a big magnetic button that you attach to your refrigerator, and whenever you need pizza, well, you just push it and your favourite pizza order is sent to the nearest pizza place. The device connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and works based on the information about pizza locations and orders that you enter. And yes, it will notify you also that pizza is on its way. Yum!

Runcible

Y

es, that is not a pocket watch but a phone. San Franciscobased startup Monohm came up with what was easily

the most different looking phone at Barcelona. Shaped like a pocket watch or compass from the Victorian era, and even has a wooden back panel that adds a touch of class to it. It runs Firefox OS and is designed to show notifications and updates discreetly without disturbing the user. A delightful blast from the past in terms of design. n

www.mymobile.co.in

nimish@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 39


In Conversation

chief speak

“One can’t win on the basis of price” From being a relative unknown to being the founder of one of the biggest phone players in the country, Rahul Sharma, the man behind Micromax, has pretty much seen it all. But he is in no mood to settle, as can be seen from the launch of YU in collaboration with Cyanogen. We caught up with him to find out more. By Nimish Dubey & Mukesh Kumar Singh Let’s start at the very beginning. Why did you get into phones? We

what a consumer wants. It is just about a deep understanding of the

started off as a software company and worked on a lot of platforms.

consumer. Till the time you are innovating and reinventing, you are

We started with ERP around 1999 and by the end of the year moved

in the market, and that is true for everyone and every industry.

on to e-commerce. It was a dynamic industry where technology changed very fast. Since, we always wanted to be product company

Let’s move on to YU then. Why did you tie-up with Cyanogen and start

we started working on embedded technology with the University

a new brand, when you already had an established one? We realized

of California. This desire to work on products led us to tie up with

we cannot go on upgrading the hardware so the differentiation

Nokia on SIM card technology, on machine to machine technology

had to come from some other area. We felt the differentiation will

and fixed wireless phones. When we decided to come up with our

come from software and services and so we decided to work more

own mobile phones people asked us who would buy a phone with

on software and services on a product and try and differentiate

Micromax written on it. So, we decided to change the name and our

there and give a customized service to the geeks. People asked us

first phone was named Extreme, but it never came to the market.

why target a niche community. We feel it is not a niche community.

Then we decided to go with the Micromax brand and slowly started

They are the opinion makers. The first step is to have our own ROM

working on all innovative verticals.

solution and have control over the software. We had two options - to create our own solution or partner with somebody. We found

When you entered the market it was dominated by multi-

Cyanogen to be an excellent product and to develop something like

nationals yet you became popular. What was the reason for your

it would have taken us 2-3 years. So, we decided to partner with

success? I think our understanding of the consumers and their pain

the best. We came with a separate brand because we needed

points helped us. A number of other brands with deep pockets

to have a different flavor as our segmentation is different.

came and decided to offer one or two handsets in every price

There is nothing in common between Micromax and YU,

segment. But, one can’t win in this business on the basis of price.

which people will slowly realize. YU will eventually build

You have to have deeper understanding of the consumer, make

its own identity.

products accordingly and keep on evolving. Motorola had invented mobile phones but they went out of business because they could

Are you involved in Cyanogen development also

not make a great product after the Moto RAZR. Similarly, Nokia

or is it entirely handled by the Cyanogen team?

was one of the best companies but they failed to recognize the

The Cyanogen team is based in Seattle and

change around them.

we have a team in Bangalore, where we have our development centre. This development centre in

Yes, but how do you gauge what a consumer wants?

Bangalore is completely dedicated to Cyanogen

It all depends on your understanding and I think it becomes

and is working side by side with Cyanogen team.

inherent to your DNA. We have a core group to track the trends in

We are also working on India centric features.

the market and what are the requirements of consumer. That is why I still visit the stores every month to sell phones so I can understand 40 | april 2015

What more can we expect from YU? YU is not

MYMOBILE


Calling Rahul Sharma

about a mobile phone, it is about an ecosystem. A primary access

First phone Nokia phone (don’t remember the model name)

all the points of consumers where we can connect with them. The

Current smartphone YU Yureka Favourite app Zomato

device is important but in terms of ecosystem we want to touch idea is to converge as many features and industries on a phone by virtue of technology. YU handsets will have decent specs so you don’t have to worry about their getting obsolete in 9 to 10 months. The YU Yureka is available only on Amazon. Why did you opt for them? Amazon has a proven track a record and they are one

Favourite game Temple Run, Subway Surfer, Candy Crush, Hay day

of the best global brands. In terms

Ringtone Depends on what is trending, using Summer by Calvin Harris right now

had a relationship with them for Android

of technology and user experience Amazon is really good and we already One. So by going to Amazon we were just extending this relationship. What is next on your agenda? We want to innovate

In Conversation

chief speak

in health, which we consider a big segment. You will see a lot of innovation in terms of services in a big way as well, and of course you will see different accessories that will enable multi-tasking. n nimishdubey@mymobile.co.in mukesh@mymobile.co.in

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 41


Infocus

spotlight

Spectrum Auctions 2015:

Before and After The latest round of spectrum auctions ended just as we went into print. Here is our summary on the events that led up to it and what transpired. By Abhijit Ahaskar

In 2015-16, spectrum licenses of four major telecom operators-

Reliance

Communications, Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular is going to expire. Renewal through auctions was decided by the Government. Operators had no option but to take part in it or lose lakhs of subscribers to rival operators.

2100 MHz band

is

considered to be highly efficient for offering 3G services and can be used as an alternative to 900 MHz band. 900 MHz is more cost effective as its coverage is more than the 1800 MHz

TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) stressed on utilisation of unallocated

band, which is basically used for 2G and 4G services. 800 MHz is used for CDMA

spectrum and asked DoT to persuade state backed operator BSNL and the Defence Ministry to vacate 1.2 MHz spectrum in the premium 900 MHz band in 18 circles and 15 MHz spectrum in 2100 MHz band in all circles respectively.

enough spectrum is available

EMD is a bank

in all bands. The proposal

guarantee paid by

was rejected by the Telecom

operators and its

Commission, set up by the

amount determines the

Government, in November

number of circles and spectrum

2014.

bands an operator can bid for.

DoT rejected TRAI’s

It is around 16-25 percent of

recommendations on the

the fixed reserve price.

ground that asking BSNL to vacate spectrum can have legal implications as DoT had not authority to take back the spectrum assigned under a license agreement. To end matters there, DoT argued that auctions should not be tied to the availability

42 | april 2015

TRAI said that the auction should be postponed until

of spectrum.

Right before the auctions, operators came up with huge amounts as EMD (Earnest

The reserve price fixed by the

Money Deposit), filling the

Government for the spectrum

government coffers with Rs.

licenses was Rs. 3,646 for

20,000 crore. This is the

the 800 MHz band, Rs.

highest amount of EMD till

3,980 for 900 MHz band, Rs.

now.

2,191 crore for 1800 MHz band, and Rs. 3,705 crore for 2100 MHz band.

MYMOBILE


spotlight Out of the 385.75MHz spectrum being sold at the

by Airtel (6 circles), Vodafone

auctions, 5 MHz was

(7 circles), Idea Cellular (9

available in 2100 MHz band,

circles) and Reliance

177.8 MHz in 900 MHz

Communication (7 circles).

band, 103.75 MHz in 800

Reliance Jio, Tata Teleservices,

MHz band and 99.2 MHz in

Aircel and Uninor were also in

1800 MHz band. This the

the fray for additional

first instance when so many

spectrum.

bands are being auctioned at the same time.

The auction started on March

Operators whose licenses were expiring reportedly moved various High courts across the country asking for an automatic extension of licenses for another 10 years on grounds that if it was allowed, they were ready to pay the suitable price for the

If the Court rules in favor of the

license instead of going

Government, the operators

through the uncertain process

will have to part with the

of bidding.

committed amount. They

might then pass on the high

4, 2015 in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100

According to estimates, even

MHz bands with eight telecom

if the auction went at the

cost of spectrum on to The Government cannot

operators participating in it.

base price, the total earnings

declare the results of the

Although, some telecom

for the Government would be

auctions due to a Supreme

operators were seeking

Rs. 82,000 crore which

Court ruling, which also

deferment of the auction for a

might even go beyond Rs.

prohibits them from making

few days, the apex court

1,00,000 crore. CRISIL

collections from the bidders

decided to let the auctions

reportedly estimates that

until the final ruling. This

proceed on March 4 the

operators will part with more

might affect the financial

stipulated date

AppyFizz

Most of the spectrum available at the auction is currently held

than Rs. 90,000 crore at the

benefits the Government was

auctions and after the

expecting this fiscal from the

payment their debt will grow

auctions. If the Court gives a

to Rs. 70,000 crore.

judgment in favour of the operators, it might negate the entire auction.

subscribers, resulting in higher tariffs, something which has happened in the past. They are also likely to intensify their demands for making VoIP service providers to pay for using their services.

Government’s gains are expected to be impressive but experts feel that this will affect the overall health of the sector, as many of the operators owe huge amounts

At the time of writing the auction was in its thirteenth day and the operators had coughed up Rs. 1,08,000 crore for the licenses after 80 rounds of aggressive bidding.

of debt to various banks. The combined debt of Indian telecom operators was Rs. 2,24,896 crore in the financial year 2013-14. abhijit@mymobile.co.in

By the end of 80 rounds, 89 per cent of spectrum available at the auctions was provisionally allocated to the participants.

The auctions were conducted by a Kolkata based IT company called Mjunction services, which conducted them on a Simultaneous Multiple Round Auctions (SMRA) platform. SMRA allows every license to be available

for

bidding

simultaneously.

www.mymobile.co.in

April 2015 | 43


Tried & Tested

burntest

Affordable, Stylish Ocean The Lemon Ocean 101 offers good

value for money

Lemon Ocean 101 tech specs Dimensions | 145 × 73.5 × 11.4 mm Weight | 182 grams

lines with gently curved

the handset stand out from

OS | Android OS v4.4

edges, and the back is

all the smartphones is the

Display | 5.0-inch, 854x480p

removable, below which

Firstouch regional keyboard

lies a surprisingly big

that supports different

Processor | Quad-core 1.3 GHz

3,000 mAh polymer

regional language including

RAM | 1 GB

battery. The battery

Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi,

Storage | 8 GB

is removable and the

Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya,

Battery | Li-Ion 3,000 mAh

two SIM slots and the

Nepali, Kannada, Malayalam,

3G/4G | Yes/No

memory card slot are

Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

placed at the back.

Bhojpuri. Users will be able

Rear Camera | 8-megapixel

Lemon has added a cover

to write messages in their

Front Camera | 2-megapixel

and screen guard to the

own language by just a single

Dual SIM | Yes

sales package which we

swipe. Word translation

Price: Rs. 8,299

think is always a good

could have been better but

idea at this price point.

this feature will be useful for

The smartphone has

many Indian users. The phone

attractive features and

also comes with two Android

runs on Android KitKat

theme launchers – a general

4.4 operating system. It

Android one and the Firstouch

comes with a powerful 1.3 GHz quad core

has been trying to

processor, backed up by 1 GB

find the Firstouch launcher

make its presence

RAM for fast performance.

that can easily be switched

felt in the highly

Internal storage stands at 8

to Android launcher. The

competitive India market by

GB, which can be expanded

Firstouch launcher has large

trying to serve up innovative,

up to 32 GB via a microSD

stylish and feature rich phones at affordable prices. The

verdict Looks

07 /10

launcher. When you will

Looks good with its shiny back

switch on the phone you will

Features

08 /10

Performance

08 /10

icons, making them easy to

Average performance

card. The phone also comes

spot and also attractive to the

Ease of Use

with an accelerometer

eye, especially for first time

07 /10

new Lemon Ocean 101 is

and proximity sensors for

Android users.

the latest of these, a budget

automatic screen rotation

Value For Money

08 /10

smartphone with decent specs

and screen lock. The device

Conclusion

and good looks, and regional

has an 8.0-megapixel rear

The Lemon Ocean 101 is

language support.

camera and a 2.0-megapixel

priced at Rs. 7,100 and is

OVERALL

78%

front facing camera. The main

available online. While it is a

L

emon Mobiles

A bit bulky, really

camera comes with LED flash,

decent enough phone, we can

The Lemon Ocean 101 has

auto focus, geo tagging, digital

see it getting some very stiff

decent looks but is definitely

zoom, touch focus, panorama

competition from the likes of

on the bulky side. The front

and video calling features. For

the Lenovo A6000, the Moto

is dominated by a 5.0-inch

connectivity the users will get

E (2nd generation) and the

display and the device has

Wi-Fi, A-GPS and Bluetooth

Xiaomi Redmi 2, all of which

a glossy exterior which gives

4.0.

are available for Rs. 6,999

the device a stylish look but also makes it a bit slippery.

Language matters?

The phone is built on solid

The one feature that makes

44 | april 2015

and come with much better hardware. n

Language support is amazing, specs could have been better

A bit heavy but handy There are better phones in this price

PROS Cons Decent A bit appearance, expensive for Regional the specs, language Smudgeprone support glossy exterior

team@mymobile.co.in

MYMOBILE


Desirable as Ever? The HTC Desire 526G+ tries to be that

I

HTC Desire 526 G+

tech specs

n the affordable range,

Dimensions | 139.8 x 69.8 x 9.9 mm

HTC has always been

Weight | 154 grams

a brand on the fringes,

OS | Android OS v 4.4

rarely trying to match

Display | 4.7-inch, 960x540p

specs with specs, and instead trying to ride on design. The

Processor | 1.7 GHz Octa Core Processor

Desire 526 G+ is another

RAM | 1 GB

device that seems to adhere to

Storage | 16 GB

the same principles, coming

Battery | Li-Ion 2,000 mAh

with a 4.7-inch qHD display

3G/4G | Yes/No

at a price point where HD

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

displays are common. That

Rear Camera | 8-megapixel

said, it cannot be counted out

Front Camera | 2-megapixel

yet as it is by far the best foot

Dual SIM | Yes

put forward by HTC.

Price: Rs. 11,400

Good-looking but compact

verdict

The Desire 526G+ is by far the best looking handset in

slightly elevated display which gives the impression that the front-facing speakers are set separately and are not part of the same frame. Yes, it looks good and is built on solid lines but the glossy exterior is highly vulnerable to smudges and scratches. It weighs 154 grams, which is far from light but the compact form factor evens it out. The handset comes with some typical budget smartphone features, such as a removable back panel, a removable 2,000mAh battery and dual SIM slots and a micro SD slot.

Power of eight cores The phone comes with a 4.7-inch display with screen resolution of 960x540 and pixel density of 234ppi. The

www.mymobile.co.in

Looks

08 /10

Features

08 /10

Performance

09 /10

Ease of Use

07 /10

So far the best looking HTC handset in this range

HTC’s inventory of affordable smartphones and comes with

Tried & Tested

burntest

touch is smooth and the

good. The phone runs on

display looks passable, but

Android 4.4 and features

at this price point we have

HTC sense UI with Blinkfeed

seen better displays. However,

service and does not slap

when it comes to running

too many pre-loaded apps on

daily errands, the device is

users.

quick and works brilliantly.

High on storage, comes with octa-core processor Runs fluently, decent battery backup, camera is good outdoors

It is powered by a 1.7 GHz

Conclusion

octa-core processor, has 1

The Desire 526G+ is by far

Smudge-prone exterior, also slightly bulky

GB of RAM and comes with

the best bet from HTC in this

Value For Money

07 /10

a decent 2,000 mAh battery.

range but with the kind of

It boasts of 16 GB internal

options available to users, it

memory, which is impressive

will not find the going easy.

at this price-point. The 8.0-

Priced at Rs. 11,400, the

OVERALL

78%

megapixel camera is best

Desire 526 G+ is up against

used outdoors in good light

the likes of Moto G (2nd

conditions - when used

genearation) (Rs.12,999), Yu

indoors it doesn’t compare

Yureka (Rs. 8,999), Xiaomi

favourably against some of the

Redmi Note 4G (Rs 9,999)

phones in this price point. The

and Asus ZenFone 5 (Rs.

2.0 megapixel front camera

9,999), all of which offer

is nothing special. The call

comparable and often even

quality and the front-facing

better hardware than it does. n

PROS Works brilliantly, Lots of onboard storage

Cons Smudge prone finish, Low resolution display

speakers are however, very

team@mymobile.co.in

Other devices offer better features at the same price point

april 2015 | 45


Tried & Tested

burntest

Lumia with Asha looks! Lumia 532 tries to unlock the budget phone market

A

Microsoft LuMIa 532

tech specs Dimensions | 118.9 x 65.5 x 11.6 mm

t a time when a

latest Windows Phone OS

runs in the new Moto E, has

number of brands

(8.1). Lumia handsets have

1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of

are trying to bring

rarely disappointed when it

internal memory, and upto 128

premium design

comes to daily tasks and this

GB of expandable memory.

Display | 4.0-inch, 800x480p

into their entry-level range of

one does not either. The tiles

It can handle games well but

smartphones, Microsoft seems

interface works and the app

the small screen size is too

Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7

to be sticking with the tried

inventory looks handsomely

constricting for serious gaming

RAM | 1 GB

and trusted, even if it looks

populated, with the likes of

or even watching videos. The

Storage | 8 GB

like a blast from the past. The

Star Sports, Skype, Paytm and

5.0 megapixel camera is

Battery | Li-Ion 1,560 mAh

Lumia 532 is a case in point

the usual bevy of Microsoft

not one of its strong points

3G/4G | Yes/No

Weight | 136.3 grams OS | Windows Phone 8.1

- it looks quite similar

and even lacks

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

to the Nokia Asha 501,

essential elements

Rear Camera | 5-megapixel

but has a bigger display

like flash and

and is more stoutly built.

touch to focus.

Front Camera | 2-megapixel

The 4.0-inch display

The front camera is

makes it highly compact,

mediocre as well.

but the wide bezels and

A dual SIM device

sharp corners makes it

with 3G, it features

look out of place not just

a 1,560mAh

in the Lumia family that

battery, which

has given us some very

delivers good

good-looking handsets

battery life.

but also in its price segment, which has seen

Conclusion

some really good-looking

Microsoft has

devices of late.

tried to revive old loyalties by going

Decent display with the glance element

back to an old design, but it is up against some very

The display looks better

tough competition.

than Nokia Lumia 530

At Rs. 6,499,

as its viewing angles

the Lumia 532

have improved, even

is up against the

though the screen

likes of new Moto

resolution (800x480)

E, Xiaomi Redmi

and the screen size (4.0 inches) are still the same.

apps including OneDrive that offers 30 GB cloud storage to

For a 4.0-inch screen size

its users and MS Office.

the screen resolution is quite

Fast and powerful

good. The glance display feature which allows users to see all notifications and time without unlocking the display is a handy addition too. The handset runs on the 46 | april 2015

The Lumia 532 works well and did not show any lags. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor- the same one that

Dual SIM | Yes

Price: Rs. 6,499

verdict Looks

07 /10

Features

08 /10

Performance

08 /10

Ease of Use

08 /10

Value For Money

07 /10

OVERALL

76%

Ordinary looking with an outdated design Latest Windows Phone OS, 30 GB cloud storage Good performance, backed by a good battery Compact design, comes with familiar tile based interface Much better devices available at the same price

2 and Lenovo A6000. They all are priced at Rs. 6,999, but in terms of offerings, are way ahead of the Lumia 532. Which makes the Lumia 532 a good option mainly for the die-hard Windows Phone fan crowd on a tight budget. n team@mymobile.co.in

PROS Fast performance, Good battery life

Cons Average camera, Its overpriced

MYMOBILE


Budget Warrior

bloom Globe 4.0 Lite

The Bloom Globe 4.0 Lite fights on price

O

tech specs

ne can get a

the volume rocker and power

and a video player, and music

Dimensions | 126 x 63 x 9.5 mm

smartphone

button, while on top of the

quality is surprisingly good,

Weight | 131 grams

today for well

phone is a micro-USB port

although speaker placement is

OS | Android OS v 4.4

under Rs. 5,000

and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The

odd - the speaker in the phone

Display | 4.0-inch, 480x320p

today, but more often than

phone is compact and is easy

is placed just beside the rear

not these devices come with

to hold. Included in the sales

camera and so always have to

Processor | 1.2 GHz Dual Core Processor

compromises, the most notable

packet is a flip cover, which we

keep the phone face down to

RAM | 256 MB

of which is the display, which

think is a good touch.

get the best sound.

Storage | 512 MB

is often kept at a smaller size.

Battery | Li-Ion 1,500 mAh

Smart connectivity

3G/4G | No/No

decided to tread a different

KiKat flavoured Android

For a low price device, the

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

path with their new Globe 4.0

The phone has a 4.0 inch

phone comes with decent

Rear Camera | 2-megapixel

Lite handset which has a 4.0

display with 480 x 320

connectivity options. It comes

Front Camera | 1.3-megapixel

inch screen at a surprisingly

resolution, which is relatively

with dual SIM support, and for

Dual SIM | Yes

low price.

low but is acceptable when

Internet access, has GPRS and

Price: Rs. 2,999

you consider the price of the

EDGE, and also comes with

handset will be available in

device. The display quality is

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. We would

black and white colours. We

good and the icons and UI are

have preferred 3G connectivity,

got the white variant and

very clear. The phone runs on

but again, at this price, this

noticed that the display and

Android KitKat (4.4) and while

is not a bad proposition at all.

the back panel were both made

the UI is more or less standard

Powering the device is a 1.2

of shiny plastic. For an entry

Android, the icons are slightly

GHz dual core processor, while

level smartphone, it has very

different. And in best Android

storage stands at 512 MB

good build quality. The right

tradition you can customise

side of the phone contains

the home screen. There are

Bloom Mobiles has, however,

In the Indian market, the

Looks

08 /10

Features

07 /10

but can be expanded to 32

The device has good specs but lacks 3G connectivity

GB using a memory card. For

Performance

08 /10

Ease of Use

08 /10

Compact design with good build quality, shiny look

Powered with dual-core processor which gives decent performance

photography, the smartphone

for calendar,

comes with a 2.0 megapixel

notes

camera along with flash and

and other

a front facing 1.3 megapixel

utilities also

camera. Both are adequate at

Usual Android interface, easy to use

preloaded on

best. Ensuring that the phone

Value For Money

08 /10

the device,

keeps ticking is a 1,500 mAh

which is

battery which saw us through a

something

day and a half of use, which is

we always

very respectable indeed.

OVERALL

78%

And of

Conclusion

course, there

The Bloom Globe 4.0 Lite is

is the Google

priced at Rs 2,999, which is

Play store for

a very decent price for what

downloading

it offers. Those seeking an

more apps.

alternative can consider the

The phone

Cheers Smart 40 which is also

comes with a

priced at Rs. 2,999. n

music player

www.mymobile.co.in

verdict

some apps

appreciate.

team@mymobile.co.in

Tried & Tested

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Sub entry level phone comes with 2 MP camera and dual-core processor

PROS Decent display, Good touch experience

Cons No 3G, Limited internal memory

april 2015 | 47


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A Different Galaxy Samsung’s Galaxy A5 mixes style and substance

T

he Samsung Galaxy A5 belongs to the troika of good-looking

smartphones in Samsung’s new A series of devices made on similar lines as the nowdiscontinued Galaxy Alpha - premium metal finish, solid build and eye popping colour variants. Unlike the Alpha, which despite its great looks drew flak for its stiff price tag, the Galaxy A5 seems much better placed in its segment. But is the new design ethos going to work for it?

Premium looks Galaxy A5 is a unibody device featuring strong metallic exterior, matte finish and with a fine silver chamfer all along the sides. It comes in four colour variants. Despite the 5.0-inch display, it is compact, sleek and easy to grip. It weighs a mere 123 grams which is lighter than the iPhone 6 and at 6.7mm is thinner than most flagship smartphones. The front features a 5-inch Super AMOLED display, a 5.0 megapixel camera and the trademark oval-shaped home button with a pair of backlit soft keys on either side. The SIM trays are placed on the sides, but comes with the micro SD and nano SIM slot crammed on a single tray, compelling the user to use either of them at a time. Also, the camera juts out quite

48 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


SAmsung Galaxy A5

unusually, making it prone to

full HD resolution and higher

scratches as the phone will

pixel density for less than Rs.

rest on it whenever we place it

20,000, so the Galaxy A5 has

with screen side up.

its task cut out.

Made for camera buffs

4G, but not a spec monster

Weight | 123 grams

else except a few essential

The device boasts of a 13.0

The handset is upto date

OS | Android OS v4.4 Kitkat

apps and services like calling,

megapixel camera with flash

with the latest in tech town including 4G LTE and ANT+

Display | 5.0-inch, 1280x720p

messages, internet, Google

in tow and a number of handy modes to play around with.

support. It runs on Android 4.4

remaining battery lasts and

The pictorial staging, courtesy

with Samsung’s Touchwiz UI

the Touchwiz UI, looks

and boasts of the Galaxy App

Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53

engaging. The camera works

store, besides the Google Play

RAM | 2 GB

Conclusion

fast and we were impressed

store. Apart from the regular

with its image quality too. The

Google apps, it offers Dropbox

5.0 megapixel front camera

cloud storage and a uniquely

is good news for the selfie

designed Flipboard app that

buffs as it does a good job as

flips in a different way and is

well. It can click through voice

coupled with the Homepage.

command and features a wide

When accessed from the app

angle mode that lets you take

drawer it flips upwards and

a shot and move the camera

downwards as usual. Samsung

in all directions and capture

is also offering a significant

more than what many wide

amount of freebies like, free

angle cameras can capture.

subscription, vouchers, travel

The idea is to allow more and

discounts, cashback on

Classy looking device with a fine metallic exterior.

more people to get into a selfie

recharges with the A5 on apps

Features

shot.

like Makemytrip, Magzter,

An AMOLED affair The Galaxy A5 boasts of a 5-inch Super AMOLED display

Voonik, Paytm, Yebhi.com and more. On paper, the Galaxy A5 pales before spec-monsters

can switch on the ultra power saving mode that increases the

tech specs Dimensions | 139.3 x 69.7 x 6.7 mm

Battery | Li-Ion 2,300 mAh 3G/4G | Yes/Yes Rear Camera | 13-megapixel Front Camera | 5-megapixel Dual SIM | Yes

Price: Rs. 25,500

verdict 09 /10

and switches off everything

lasts.

It has the looks and is a very decent performer, but the lower priced than the Alpha, faces stiff competition from the new generation of devices that offer much more at even lower prices. For instance, the likes of the OnePlus One brings more value for money features at this price with a bigger and better display, more processing muscle, more

08 /10

internal memory and a bigger battery at a fairly lower price (Rs. 21,999). Its availability

Performance

09 /10

Ease of Use

08 /10

Its can handle most tasks effortlessly

of the display to grayscale

Galaxy A5, even though much

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

Features are commendable but at this price we are hardly impressed

The mode changes the colour

Plus, ensuring that the

Storage | 16 GB

Looks

battery backup significantly.

is the only issue as it is sold only on Amazon.in, whereas, Galaxy A5 is available on most

with 1280x720p screen

like the OnePlus One or the

resolution and pixel density

Moto X (2nd generation) but

Its compact, sleek and easy to grip

of 294ppi. It looks good and

when it comes to handling

Value For Money

is less reflective than most

everyday chores it won’t let

displays we have come across.

you down. Endowed with a

However, it does not look

1.2 GHz Qualcomm quad-core

as crisp as the Moto X (2nd

processor and 2 GB of RAM,

generation) or even the LG

the Galaxy A5 can handle

a 4G device but offers a full

G2, as their pixel density and

most tasks including games

HD display, 3 GB RAM, 13.0

screen resolution is more than

and HD movies quite fluently.

megapixel camera and 16

that of the Galaxy A5. Devices

It has 16 GB internal memory

like the Micromax Canvas

(12 GB available) and it can

Hue offer good AMOLED

take in up to 64 GB external

displays and 720p resolution

memory cards. It is powered

for less than Rs. 15,000 and

by a decent 2,300mAh battery

handsets like Vibe X2 and

offering a day’s backup and

Honor 6 offer displays with

in case you want more you

www.mymobile.co.in

Competition is offering much more at lower prices

Tried & Tested

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retail outlets and online stores. You can also check out the

07 /10

OVERALL

Lenovo Vibe X2 which offers 4G and better features like the full HD display for Rs.

82%

PROS

Cons

Impressive design, Good cameras, Good performance

Expensive for its specs, SIM and microSD card slots combined

19,999, and then there is the Xiaomi Mi4, which is not

GB internal memory for Rs. 19,999, and finally, there is the Honor 6, which offers a full HD display, superb processor, and 13.0-megapixel camera at a mere Rs. 17,999. n team@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 49


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Canvas with camera muscle That’s the Mircomax Canvas Selfie

I

t did pack in some very

But will it be enough to make it

base, which reminds us very

might make it a bit long, but

decent front facing

stand tall in the selfie era?

strongly of the Sony Ericsson

it will still fit into most hands

Xperia Vivaz that had been

comfortably. The right, left and

cameras in the Canvas Knight and the Canvas

It looks different

launched almost five years

top of the device are metallic,

Turbo, but the Micromax

The very first thing that strikes

ago. And at a time when most

while the base (the ‘chin’) is

Canvas Selfie sees Micromax

you about the Micromax

phones seem to be getting into

plastic. Flip it around and you

enter the “selfie wars” with

Canvas Selfie is its very distinct

oversize overdrive, the Canvas

have a faux leather finish on

one of the most powerful front

design. The phone comes with

Selfie is relatively compact

the back with the Micromax

facing cameras in the market.

curved and convex top and

- the curved top and base

logo and the speaker grille.

50 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


Micromax Canvas Selfie

No, we have deliberately

and powering the device is a

not mentioned the cameras yet

1.7 GHz MediaTek octa core

because we think they merit

processor, backed up by 2 GB

some space on their own. The

RAM. Storage stands at 16

Canvas Selfie packs in dual

GB and is expandable using

13.0-megapixel shooters - one

one of the two SIM card slots

Dimensions | 147 x 67.5 x 9.5 mm

on the front accompanied

(yes, one of them can be used

Weight | 134 grams

Micromax has also gone for a

by a flash, and one on the

as a microSD card slot too).

OS | Android OS v4.4

UI without an app drawer and

back, accompanied by a dual

Connectivity options include 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and

Display | 4.7-inch, 720x1280p

with bright wallpapers. It works

flash (one on either side of the camera). The camera on

GPS. The phone runs

preferred the more classy one

the back has got to be one

on Android KitKat, with

Processor | Octa-core 1.7 GHz

of the most ornate we have

Micromax’s own UI placed on

seen on a phone for a while,

top of it.

Storage | 16 GB 3G/4G | Yes/No

thrown in a dedicated camera

All about camera power!

button on the right side of the

It performs most tasks

device, but it is rather oddly

decently, although is not

positoned - bang in the middle,

exactly the kind of device you

which not only makes it very

want to play FIFA 15 or the

difficult to use while holding

Asphalt series on, but the

the phone in landscape mode

Canvas Selfie is really all about

(which is quite often), but also

its twin cameras. And both turn

made us keep pressing it for

in very good results indeed.

a while, thinking it was the

The dual flash on the rear

power/display button, which is

camera gives it some much

often located at that position

needed low light muscle, but

in phones (in the case of the

the real surprise is the front

Canvas Selfie, it is located at

facing camera, which delivers

the top). All said and done,

excellent results, although we

this is one of Micromax’s most

would recommend not using

innovative phone designs. Not

the flash that accompanies it

everyone will like it, but no

(even though Micromax calls

one can deny that in a time of

it a ‘soft flash’, we found it

uniformity, the Canvas Selfie

dazzling the subject too often

sticks out from the crowd.

for comfort). Micromax has

surrounded as it is by a large steel ring. Micromax has also

Big cameras, decent hardware

pulled a rabbit of sorts out of its hat by including a very innovative camera UI, which

tech specs

but it certainly is a radically different approach from what we have seen in most camera phones so far and is definitely a welcome one, not least because it actually works.

smoothly enough, although we

RAM | 2 GB

that we had seen on the Turbo. The only two real problem

Battery | Li-Ion 2,300 mAh

areas we encountered in the device were the oddly placed camera button, which we

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes Rear Camera | 13-megapixel Front Camera | 13-megapixel Dual SIM | Yes

Price: Rs. 15,999

ended up pressing far too many times to wake up the display, and the battery life. Micromax has packed in a 2,300 mAh battery in the Canvas Selfie and it is definitely going to

verdict Looks

08 /10

Features

09 /10

Not sleek, but unlike anything in the market today. Good cameras and decent hardware for the price.

Performance

Rocks in the camera department, although sometimes can lag

Ease of Use

Odd button placement and the camera UI can be confusing.

Value For Money

Very good camera phone for the price

struggle to see out a day of use if you intend using those two cameras heavily.

Conclusion The Micromax Canvas Selfie is available in the market for Rs.

08 /10

15,999, and is pretty much in a zone of its own if your are looking for a very good selfie

07 /10

camera on a tight budget. The only other notable device with as good a front facing

09 /10

OVERALL

camera is the HTC Desire Eye, which costs more than twice as much. Those looking for a

82%

decent selfie camera can also check out the Xiaomi Redmi

The Micromax Canvas Selfie

might appeal to the ladies

Note 4G, which comes with

is mainly about its cameras.

in particular. Instead of the

a good 5.0-megapixel front

Both front and rear cameras

usual options to tweak ISO

facing camera and is priced

have Largan lenses with Sony

and scenes, you actually have

sensors, and both are capable

options that can smoothen

of shooting full HD video as

your skin, whiten your teeth,

well. Micromax has backed

remove oil patches and dark

up the cameras with some

circles and even make your

decent hardware too. The 4.7

eyes appear a trifle larger. No,

inch display is a 720p HD one

it is not everyone’s cup of tea,

www.mymobile.co.in

Tried & Tested

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PROS

Cons

Good cameras, Innovative selfie camera UI, Different design

Battery life, Oddly positioned camera button, Prone to lags

at Rs. 9,999 or the Lumia 730, which comes with a 5.0megapixel front facing camera and also has a very good AMOLED display and is priced at Rs. 13,900 approximately.n team@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 51


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The Networked Netbook The HP Stream 11 packs in a lot for not too much

I

n many ways, 2015 has

is made of solid plastic, and

indeed. Unlike some other

a display at almost half the

been the year that has

the area around the keyboard

manufacturers who tend to

weight.

witnessed the return

also comes with a dotted

make cramped keyboards,

of the netbook. These

finish which is very easy on

HP has dropped in a proper

devices had been the rage in

the eye. The whole notebook

keyboard into the Stream 11,

Decent hardware, decent performer

the market from 2007-11, but

has a matte finish, which we

with large keys, a full proper

Like netbooks in the past, the

had then faded away, many

think is an excellent idea, as

row of numbers as well as

HP Stream 11 is not exactly

think because of the arrival

it keeps stains and smudges

function keys. No, no corners

a barnstormer in terms of

of the tablets. However, they

at bay, and has the HP logo

have been cut here. Below

hardware. The 11.6 inch

seem to be coming back in

very prominently in silver in

the keyboard is a decent sized

display has a resolution of

fashion, if recent events are

the centre on the top. On the

trackpad too. The display rests

anything to go by. A number of

right side of the notebook are

on a very solid hinge which

manufacturers have released

two USB ports, an HDMI port

means that there is no shaking

notebooks that run the latest

and the 3.5 mm headphone

while you type and the device

Windows (8.1), are easy to

jack, while on the left are the

is comfortable to use even

carry, and while not being

charging point, and two card

while resting on your lap -

exactly heavy duty in terms of

slots - one for a SIM card and

something that we cannot say

hardware, pack in more than

another for a SD memory

about other notebooks which

enough for most users to carry

expansion card. There are dual

have used fabric covers which

out basic tasks that range from

speaker grilles located on the

tend to wobble in laps. The

simple word processing to Web

arc just below the keyboard.

whole device tips the scale at

browsing to social networking

Open the notebook and

1.3 kgs, which is definitely on

and e-mail. But where does the

you see the 11.6 inch display

the lighter side, although not

HP Stream 11 stand in this

and what we consider to be

as insanely light as the Notion

crowd?

one of the key strengths of the

Ink Cain, which had managed

device - a very good keyboard

to pack in a keyboard and

Feeling blue? Well, in terms of appearance, the Stream 11 does stand out from the routine crowd of netbooks. While other manufacturers have gone in for more traditional looks dominated by grey, black and silver, the Stream 11 is available in only blue in India. There’s no chance that you will mistake this for any other device - it is the only one of its kind as far as we can see and will definitely turn heads. HP also needs to be applauded for using very good materials for the notebook - it

52 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


HP Stream 11

1366 x 768, and very notably,

more storage without adding

is not a touchscreen, which

an additional device to it (the

means that you will be using

notebook also comes with 1

the trackpad for a number

TB cloud storage from HP).

of gestures, because this

One of our favourite features

notebook runs Windows 8.1.

is the SIM card slot which

Dimensions | 299.97 x 205.74 x 19.81 mm

Powering it is a 2.16 GHz Intel

allows you to go online without

Weight | 1,242 grams

especially as the touchpad is

Celeron processor, backed

the hassle of connecting a

OS | Windows 8.1

not the greatest we have used

up by 2 GB RAM. Storage

dongle. Also on board are GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and the

Display | 11.6-inch, 1366x768p

(we recommend investing in

stands at 32 GB, which is a bit on the lower side, but

USB ports are USB 3.0 as

other hand, the keyboard is

then you can plug in a USB

well. Ensuring that the device

Processor | Intel Celeron N2840

storage device into it easily,

keeps ticking is a Lithium Ion

and then there is the SD card

three-cell battery. And yes, the

slot which allows you to add

notebook comes with a year’s

tech specs

routine tasks like Word documents, social networking, Web browsing and e-mail, the

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

Stream 11 does a very good

Rear Camera | No

job indeed. However, lags start

Front Camera | Yes

to creep in if you use too many

Dual SIM | No

Price: Rs. 19,990

verdict 09 /10

08 /10

Performance

08 /10

The keyboard is very good, although the touchpad is iffy

Value For Money

A Windows 8.1 notebook for that price? Super!

apps at the same time or if you tax it too heavily - do not expect high definition gaming to work on it and we would certainly not advise you to edit videos on it. The battery is wonderful - you can easily

Features

Ease of Use

excellent and makes typing a joy. When it comes to handling

3G/4G | Yes/No

Can lag in HD territory but rock solid in routine tasks

has. Getting used to Windows

a portable mouse). On the

Battery | 3-Cell Li-Po

USB ports, memory card slots, 3G...it’s all there.

to make the most of what it

might be a task for some,

Storage | 32 GB

A very colourful notebook that stands right out

And the HP Stream 11 seems

8.1 without a touchscreen

RAM | 2 GB

Looks

subscription to Office 365.

Tried & Tested

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see off close to nine hours on a single charge!

Conclusion Its excellent connectivity options, fantastic keyboard

08 /10

and very good design make the HP Stream 11 a very good option for any person who is

09 /10

OVERALL

looking for a notebook on a tight budget. At Rs. 19,990, it delivers a lot of bang for not

84%

too many bucks, although you will need to get used to using a trackpad for Windows 8 gestures. Those looking for alternatives could consider

www.mymobile.co.in

PROS

Cons

Good looking, Decent performer, 3G connectivity

No touchscreen, Cannot handle heavy duty tasks, Trackpad not the greatest

the Notion Ink Cain which is lighter and has touchscreen as well and is available for Rs. 19,990, although it is not as solidly designed as the HP Stream 11. n team@mymobile.co.in

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Bigger, Faster... But is the new Moto E better than the first one?

T

he first Moto E was a massive success. It came when the budget

segment was afflicted with devices that promised the world at a low price, but often delivered sub-standard performance. The Moto E changed that completely, putting into buyers’ hands an experience they had never seen in a budget smartphone. But the Moto E (2nd Generation) is going to find it hard to fill the shoes of its predecessor as user expectations are relatively higher than a year ago, thanks to the low price- high specs era that it itself triggered off last year.

Well built and handy to use, looks subtly different Though a lot has changed in the new Moto E, the basic design is somewhat still similar. The back panel curves in the same way its predecessor did, making it handy and comfortable to use. The handset is slightly bigger than its predecessor, as it has a 4.5-inch display and a wider bezel on the top. The bezel retains the trademark metal strip that Motorola uses in all Moto smartphones including the second generation Moto G and Moto X. However, instead of two strips, it has just one, on

54 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


the top bezel, serving as not just as the in-call grille but also as the lone speaker. The lower bezel is plain and thin, giving it a slightly better look than its predecessor. Though bigger, it weighs 145 grams and is built on sturdy and compact lines. In an attempt to add something funky to its looks, the Moto E has been given a unibody design with a fixed back but a removable side panel, where you will find the SIM and card slots lined up. Moto is also offering plastic bands which come in multiple eye popping colors and cover the side panels in an attempt to add some colour to the device.

Runs on Android 5.0 The new Moto E runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box with the stock UI and the new material design that Google considers a major design innovation. Although it has been around for a while, Android Lollipop remains a rarity in most phones, especially at this price point. The inventory of pre-loaded apps is limited and includes the usual Google suspects like Play Store, Play News Stand, Maps, Gmail and a few of Motorola’s own like Migrate,

Faces tough completion With a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 4.5-inch display with screen

Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) tech specs

without any hiccups. The sound quality is good in both the speaker and the headset. The display is slightly bigger than the first Moto E, but we

resolution of 960x540, 1

Dimensions | 129.9 x 66.8 x 12.3 mm

GB of RAM, 8 GB internal

Weight | 145 grams

Motorola did not consider

memory (expandable upto 32

OS | Android OS v5.0 Lollipop

increasing its resolution, not

Display | 4.5-inch, 960x540p

both the Xiaomi Redmi 2 and the Lenovo A6000 offer

of its predecessor and any of

Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7

the Android One devices, but

RAM | 1 GB

pales when compared with

Storage | 8 GB (expandable)

the likes of Xiaomi Redmi 2

Battery | Li-Ion 2,390 mAh

or the Lenovo A6000. It has

3G/4G | Yes/No

a 0.3 megapixel front-facing

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

camera, which is decent

Rear Camera | 5-megapixel

enough for video chats but of

Front Camera | VGA

little use for selfies, which is

Dual SIM | Yes

surprising when you consider

Price: Rs. 6,999

GB using a microSD card) and 2,390mAh battery, the Moto E (2nd generation) is well ahead

the selfie rage gripping the world these days. The rear camera continues to be a 5.0

least when you consider that

07 /10

take good outdoor shots, but

Same old design with minor changes

while autofocus has now been

Features

07 /10

once again, which restricts it indoors. The smartphone

Performance

included, the flash is left out

Bluetooth connectivity. Decent

Impresses with its smooth performance and touchscreen

indeed, but not as impressive

Ease of Use

supports 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS and

as the likes of Xiaomi Redmi 2

Compact and handy to use

and Lenovo A6000 on one slot,

Value For Money

which offer 4G connectivity, even though its availability is limited in India.

Good device, but the competition offers better features at the same price

same price point (although neither offers Gorilla Glass 3 protection as the Moto E does). Some might even find E a little dull as compared to the original, owing to the material design UI. That

verdict

Except Android L most of the features are outdated

bigger 720p displays at the

the display of the new Moto

Looks

megapixel affair, and can

honestly are surprised that

said, the touch experience of the display is excellent. Battery backup is impressive too and at par with other smartphones in this range.

Conclusion It is a very good device for the price and a terrific

09 /10

performer, but the Moto E (2nd generation) fails to impress the way the

08 /10 08 /10

OVERALL

first Moto E did. Yes, it has better features but in the last one year, a lot has changed including people’s expectations. Devices like Xiaomi Redmi 2 or Lenovo

78%

A6000 (both are priced

also boasts of some interesting

A decent performer too

features like the option to

The new Moto E is a great

However, if you have used

read notifications even with

device when it comes to

Moto E and want to stick

the display unlocked, and the

handling day to day tasks,

ability to instantly open the

just like its predecessor. With

camera by a twist of wrist.

the addition of a front-facing

Both features work brilliantly

camera and a more powerful

and have been seen before in

battery, it can cater to a wider

some of the flagship devcies of

audience. It can handle games,

Motorola, like the Moto X.

movies and your daily apps

Help, and Alert. The phone

www.mymobile.co.in

Tried & Tested

burntest

at Rs. 6,999) come with better hardware than it does.

PROS

Cons

Good battery, Handles tasks well, Compact and handy to use

Screen resolution is low, No flash in camera, Poor frontfacing camera

to the brand, then this is a decent upgrade. Stay tuned also for the better specced 4G edition of Moto E, which is expected to arrive in the coming days. n team@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 55


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Super Successor

The Redmi 2 more than fills the shoes of the Redmi 1S

X

iaomi shook

replaced by one with a matte

backed up by 1 GB RAM.

up the Indian

finish which is less prone

Storage is 8 GB (expandable

market last

to smudges and scratches.

using a memory card)

year with

Speaking of which, the

and connectivity options

a series of devices that

4.7 inch display in front

include 4G on both SIM

offered very good hardware

comes with Dragontrail glass

cards, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

at surprisingly low prices.

protection, which Xiaomi

and GPS. The camera on

Perhaps the most popular

claims is very difficult to

the rear remains an 8.0-

of these was the Redmi 1S,

scratch – Hugo Barra actually

megapixel affair but has

which delivered features

invited mediapersons at the

been improved with a

like a 720p HD display,

conference to try and scratch

five-element lens and

8.0-megapixel camera

it. The volume and power/

comes with infrared

and a decent processor

display button on the right

sensor protection

for as little as Rs. 5,999.

remain metallic, the top

for better image

And now the company

houses the 3.5 mm audio

quality.

has followed it up with the

jack, and the base has the

The front

Redmi 2, which claims to

micro USB port. Peeling

facing

have further improved it

off the back reveals dual

camera

while still keeping the price

SIM slots and a memory

has

relatively low. But unlike its

card slot. All in all, we will

been

predecessor, the Redmi 2

not say that the Redmi 2

bumped

goes up against some very

is an outstanding phone

up to 2.0-

stiff competition. How is it

in terms of appearance. It

megapixels,

likely to fare against it?

might even strike people

from the 1.6

as relatively plain, but it is

on the Redmi

reassuringly solid to hold and

1S. And running

Looks subtly different

definitely does not look like

on it is Android

At first glance, the Redmi 2

an inexpensive device. Most

KitKat (4.4) with

might not appear to be too

important of all, it will fit

the latest version of

different from the Redmi 1S

most hands easily.

Xiaomi’s popular MIUI

but hold it for a while and

interface, MIUI 6, right

changes. Yes, Xiaomi has

Packs in serious muscle

resisted the temptation to

In terms of hardware,

go for a bigger display and

the Redmi 2 is a worthy

And works brilliantly

stuck to a 4.7 inch display,

successor to the Redmi 1S.

What, however, has marked

and yet has managed to

It takes the good parts of the

Xiaomi out from the

make the phone thinner,

1S and improves them. The

competition has been the

less wide and shorter than

display remains the same

incredibly good performance

the 2S. At 133 grammes,

size and resolution (720p)

of its devices and in this

it is also remarkably lighter

but seems discernibly

regard, the Redmi 2 is no

than the 2S which weighed

sharper and brighter.

different. MIUI 6 works very

a relatively hefty 155

Powering the device is a 64-

well indeed on it, providing

grammes. Gone too is the

bit quad core Qualcomm

users with a smooth

glossy white back, which is

Snapdragon 410 processor,

experience most of the time.

you will notice the subtle

56 | april 2015

on top of it.

MYMOBILE


Xiaomi Redmi 2

If you find it too complex,

And just as in the Redmi 1S,

you can also opt for a Lite

the Redmi 2’s camera again

mode which has a simplified

sets the benchmark for budget

homescreen and menus. Yes,

shooters. We can easily say

there are times when the odd

that this is the best camera we

Dimensions | 134 x 67.2 x 9.4 mm

lag does creep in, but as long

have seen at this price point in

Weight | 133 grams

good indeed and battery life

as you are careful enough to

terms of handling colours and

OS | Android OS v4.4

is a significant step upwards

not overdo multi-tasking or

details, and it is surprisingly

Display | 4.7 inch, 1280x720p

from the Redmi 1S – we found

Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53

a day of normal use without

RAM | 1 GB

Conclusion

venture too deep into HD gaming territory, you can be assured of a very good user experience indeed.

decent even in low light conditions. Xiaomi has also thrown in some neat interface touches in the selfie camera,

tech specs

including a beautify mode, which makes you look at your best – and yes, the camera will also try to guess your gender and age. Sound quality is very

ourselves being able to see off

Storage | 8 GB Battery | Li-Ion 2,200 mAh 3G/4G | Yes/Yes

any problems whatsoever.

So where does the Redmi 2 stand in the Indian market? Well, unlike the Redmi

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes Rear Camera | 8-megapixel Front Camera | 2-megapixel Dual SIM | Yes

Price: Rs. 6,999

1S, which was virtually

Tried & Tested

burntest

unchallenged at its price point, it has a number of competitors. The most significant of these are the Moto E (second generation)

verdict Looks

Not a traffic stopper but very compact indeed and smart

Features

Good hardware with MIUI 6 running on top of it.

Performance

Very good camera, and solid performer in other departments

Ease of Use

MIUI 6 remains a very easy to use interface

Value For Money

For that price, this is a staggering deal

08 /10

and the Lenovo A6000, both of which come with similar price tags. While some might not consider the Moto E to be in the same league as it has a

09 /10

lower resolution display, just a 5.0-megapixel camera and no 4G, the fact is that of the three,

09 /10

it alone comes with the latest flavour of Android, Lollipop (5.0). However, in terms of

09 /10

sheer user experience, we must concede that the Redmi 2 is

09 /10

OVERALL

easily one of the best budget propositions for any user who wants a decent smartphone

88%

experience without spending too much. We think its camera and MIUI in particular give it an edge over most of the competition. Those looking for

PROS

Cons

Superb price, Good camera, MIUI 6 interface

Relatively plain design, Can lag in heavy tasks

an alternative could consider the Lenovo A6000, which also features a 720p display, an 8.0-megapixel camera and comes with support for 4G at the same price. n team@mymobile.co.in

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 57


Tried & Tested

burntest

Alpha performer The Galaxy A7 is the best of the A range

S

amsung had

most in its A series of devices,

pushover in the department.

which light up when you touch

introduced the

the most powerful - and

However, unlike the Galaxy

them. Above it is a speaker

Galaxy Alpha last

thinnest - of which is without

Alpha, which was a more

grille and a 5.0-megapixel

year, reflecting

doubt the A7.

compact device, the Galaxy A7

front facing camera. As in

is an unabashedly large screen

the Alpha, the A7 rests on a

a change in its design philosophy, moving away from

Thin is in

one. The front is dominated

metallic frame, which is very

its plastic-dominated past and

The Galaxy A7 has been

by a 5.5 inch display (the

obvious from its slim sides,

adopting a more contemporary

promoted as being the

Note 4 has a 5.7-inch one),

which are solid metal, and

look, with an accent on metal.

thinnest phone from Samsung

below which is the typical oval

are chamfered, adding a bit

While the Alpha itself has

and at 6.3 mm, it is certainly

shaped home key that is the

of lustre to the device. On

been discontinued, Samsung

almost sliver like and actually

trademark of many Samsung

the left is the volume rocker,

has continued with the design

looks a lot slimmer than the

devices, flanked by two touch

while the display and on/off

makeover, which is reflected

Galaxy Alpha which was no

keys (for menu and black),

button is on the right, just

58 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


Samsung Galaxy A7

below which are SIM card and

one of the dual SIM slots on

memory card slots. Rather

the side (an innovation that

unusually, the top of the device

is being increasingly seen in

is absolutely plain, while on the

many devices and is handy, if

base you have the micro USB

a bit restrictive). Connectivity

port and the 3.5 mm audio

wise, the device comes with

Dimensions | 151 x 76.2 x 6.3 mm

jack. The back has a pearly

4G support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,

Weight | 141 grams

thorough a makeover and made

white finish, which looks good,

GPS and NFC. The battery

OS | Android OS v4.4

simpler as HTC Sense was

but we suspect could pick up

has been pumped up to 2600

with the HTC One - we have no

smudges, and right on top of

mAh, which is significantly

Display | 5.5-inch, 1080x1920p

the back is the 13.0-megapixel

more than what we had on the

camera flanked by a flash

Alpha, and the front camera

and (again rather unsually)

is a 5.0-megapixel one while

a speaker grille. All said and

the one of the rear is a 13.0-

done, while the Galaxy A7 did

megapixel affair. The device

not exactly bowl us over with its

runs on Android KitKat 4.4,

looks the way the Galaxy Alpha

with Samsung’s TouchWiz

did, there can be no doubting

interface on top of it.

that it is a very good looking almost half a foot long, it is

And performing well too

not exactly super compact.

The Galaxy A7 turned in a very

Definitely a looker, we think,

decent performance in most

though.

departments. Some might find

device indeed, although at

Packing some serious punch

the Super AMOLED display a bit oversaturated when it comes to handling colours,

The Galaxy A7 also comes with

but it is definitely very easy

perhaps the best hardware

on the eye. Sound quality was

we have seen in the Galaxy

good rather than exceptional,

A series, which many think

and the processor handled all

has replaced the Alpha. The

regular tasks well, although

display is a full HD Super

there was a slight sign of lag

Flipboard, the app that presents news in the form of a

tech specs

Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quadcore 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 RAM | 2 GB

flippable magazine, also comes preloaded on the device, but we really think that it is time that TouchWiz be given as

complaints about the plethora of features being offered but there is no doubt that these also made the UI a bit overwhelming for the relative

Storage | 16 GB Battery | Li-Ion 2,600 mAh 3G/4G | Yes/Yes

newcomer, especially when you look at the Settings and

BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes

Notifications menus. Battery

Rear Camera | 13-megapixel

life, however, was a bit on the

Front Camera | 5-megapixel

lower side - we found ourselves

Dual SIM | Yes

needing to recharge the

Price: Rs. 30,499

device at least once to get

verdict Looks

Excellent use of metal. Very sleek and eye catching.

Features

Decent hardware and very good display and camera

Performance

Very good camera and display. Solid performer.

Ease of Use

09 /10

through a day with normal usage.

Conclusion At Rs. 30,499, the Samsung Galaxy A7 is priced well below

08 /10

the Galaxy Alpha, and offers better hardware in terms of

08 /10

display and camera. However, we must confess that in the era of devices like the OnePlus

08 /10

One and the Xiaomi Mi 4, it

AMOLED one and has a

when we installed games like

Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating

FIFA 15 and ICC Pro Cricket

on it to save it from scratches

2015 on it. The cameras on

- it is one of the first devices

the device are very good - the

in the market to come with

rear 13.0-megapixel camera

this version of Gorilla Glass.

took some very good images

It is powered by a 64-bit

in good light conditions and

Qualcomm Snapdragon 615

the 5.0-megapixel front facing

Vibe Z2 Pro, which comes

with two quad core processors

camera is one of the best

with a quad HD display, 3 GB

- a 1.5 Ghz one and a 1.0

‘selfie’ cameras we have seen

RAM and a Snapdragon 801

GHz one - backed up by 2 GB

on a Samsung device. There

RAM, and 16 GB onboard

are number of neat interface

PROS

Cons

said, if one is looking at an

storage. Unlike the Alpha

touches in the TouchWiz UI and multi-window support

memory, the Galaxy A7 comes

comes to the device, allowing

with a memory card slot

you to run two supported

which can take the place of

apps right next to each other.

Expensive Camera juts out on the back, Battery life

uber slim handset that is also

which had no expandable

Good design, Decent hardware, Very good camera

www.mymobile.co.in

Smooth, but the TouchWiz UI takes some getting used to

Value For Money

Expensive for the hardware it offers, compared to others

Tried & Tested

burntest

seems a bit overpriced, as both those devices come with

07 /10

OVERALL

comparable hardware and faster processors at much lower prices. Those willing to

80%

spend a little more could also be tempted by the Lenovo

processor for Rs. 32,999. That

a very good performer, then the Galaxy A7 has got to be one of the best options around. n team@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 59


Special

exclusive

New Age Notebooks The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro and the new MacBook redefine what we expect from mobile computing. We take a closer look at these two dream machines. By Nimish Dubey

W

hen it comes to notebooks, Apple and Lenovo enjoy a special place in most people’s hearts. While Apple has been known for its classy and innovative line of notebooks, Lenovo’s

iconic ThinkPad range has a mass following of its own, and then of course, there is the Yoga range, which surprised many with its sheer flexibility. Well, both companies surprised consumers when they came out with radically designed new notebooks in recent times - while Apple unveiled a new MacBook, Lenovo

added a whole new dimension to the Yoga range with the Yoga 3 Pro.

The sheer flexibility and style of the Yoga Of the two, the Yoga 3 Pro was the first to hit the market, and it certainly made jaws drop with its style quotient. Yes, people had known the fact that the display on the Yoga could revolve a full 360 degrees and actually go all the way back and rest on the back of the keyboard letting you use the device as a tablet, and that thanks to this extremely flexible display, one could use a Yoga device in multiple modes - as a normal notebook, as a tablet, in ‘tented’ mode or in ‘stand’ mode. But what they did not expect was a device that had as premium a design as the Yoga 3 Pro. The first thing that will strike a lot of the people about the Yoga 3 Pro is its hinge which has got to be amongst the most innovative we have seen. Inspired by a watchband, it is crafted out of more than 800 individual pieces of aluminum and steel. The result is one of the most solidly built and good-looking hinges we have seen - the Yoga 3 Pro does not rock or wobble like some notebooks do. And then there is the sheer lightness of it all. Unlike other light notebooks which generally have smaller displays and modest specs, the Yoga 3 Pro pulls no hardware punches. The display is a 13.3 inch quad HD one (3200 x 1800) making it one of the best around on a notebook, and is a touchscreen too. Powering it is an Intel Core M processor with 8 GB of RAM,

60 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


with storage going up to 512 GB SSD. It comes with 2 USB ports,

it runs Apple’s Mac OS X.

JBL speakers and a card reader as well. And all this has been

But perhaps the biggest innovations in the MacBook have not

crammed into a lovely frame that is as thin as a pencil at just 12.8

been in terms of design, but in hardware. Unlike other devices

mm and is incredibly light at 1.17 kgs. It comes with a proper full

which come with multiple ports, the MacBook comes with a single

sized keyboad and touchpad and runs Windows 8.1 Yes, at Rs

port - yes, there is only one port on the device. Called a USB-C

1,14,990, the Yoga 3 Pro does not come cheap, but we reckon it

port, this single port lets you charge the device, exchange data and

is one of the best blends of form and function we have seen and

connect devices using USB 3.0 and also supports HDMI, VGA and

sets a new benchmark for working on the move - not least because

Mini DisplayPort connections. That’s right, one port to do all that.

of a battery that sees off close to eight hours of heavy use.

Some cynics are already saying that this would be too restrictive

The MacBook returns...in style

but in our opinion, this is one of the most radical innovations we have seen in a mobile device for some time.

Many people had thought that Apple had laid its Macbook range

And then there is the little - or rather, very big - matter of the

to rest and would focus on the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.

battery. Instead of opting for the normal, rectangular shaped

Well, Apple surprised them when it announced a new MacBook

batteries, Apple has gone and created a new kind of terraced battery

at its ‘Spring Forward’ event. And unlike in the past when the

cell that can fit into any enclosure, ensuring every inch of space

MacBook was actually the most affordable Mac notebook, this

inside the frame of the MacBook is used up. The result? Battery

one is premium. And amazingly innovative.

life that can see through 10 hours of iTunes film playback.

Yes, like most Apple products, the new MacBook is very

Like the Yoga 3 Pro, the MacBook is also not a cheap proposition

good-looking indeed. It is 13.1 mm thin and is actually

- it starts from Rs. 99,900. But like it, it too brings levels of

lighter than the MacBook Air at 0.9 kgs. But no corners have

innovation that have not been seen so far in the relatively steady

been cut for this - the 12-inch display on it is a retina display with

notebook world. We suspect one day in the future all notebooks

a resolution of 2304 x 1440, and next to it is a full sized keyboard

will come with hinges like the one on the Yoga 3 Pro, will be able to

(a new design for some consistent typing, claims Apple, and

swivel around to almost 360 degrees to be used as a tablet, stand

with special backlighting) with a new Force Touch touchpad

or notebook, will come with batteries optimised to fill spaces like

that not only offers the routine navigation and clicking options

in the MacBook, and will have USB-C ports that fulfill multiple

but also comes with the Force Click - a long press down on it

functions, all while retaining the incredible slimness of these two

reveals special information about whatever you have highlighted.

devices, which can slip into a bag with the least disruption. When

It comes with an Intel Core M processor, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB

they do, we will point to these two magnificent devices and say:

and 512 GB storage, and is available in silver, gold and space grey,

they started it all. n

and is an out and out stunner in terms of appearance. Of course,

Special

exclusive

nimishdubey@mymobile.co.in

We suspect that one day all notebooks will be like this awesome twosome. One day.

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 61


spotlight

The new Government’s first full year budget has been duly presented. And as always, there are a plethora of opinions about it from the mobile industry, ranging from delight to disappointment. We take a look at what the Budget offers to the industry. By Abhijit Ahaskar

T

he

Union

spectrum available, bring in

stress on GST and RuPay debit

supportive budget was expected

Budget 2015

radical tax reforms and offer

cards. Observers feel that these

for the telecom sector.”

was markedly

significant incentives.

all are good moves but that

Rajan S. Mathews, Director

Impact on smartphones and tablets

The core agenda of the

General, COAI believes “While

The tablet market might be

Budget was to make domestic

a few proposals in the Union

slowing down internationally,

the telecom segment, which

manufacturing as lucrative as

Budget may help growth of

but manufacturers continue

had at times (especially on the

possible for local as well as

telecom and broadband,

to think that it has not yet

operator side) had felt hard

international vendors. This

overall, the industry’s concerns

reached its potential in the

done by in the past. Reeling

was reflected in some of the

and submissions have been

Indian market. Indian policy

under financial burden, the

polices like, exemption from

left unanswered. With the

makers since Kapil Sibal’s

telecom sector had been asking

SAD, reduction in basic custom

Government’s thrust on the

era as HRD Minister see it as

the Government to make more

duty on tablets, and increased

Digital India initiative, a more

a great tool of empowerment,

different from its

full year budget of the new

Make In India in focus

Government and expectations were high particularly from

predecessors. It was the first

62 | april 2015

larger issues have been once again swept under the carpet.

MYMOBILE


notwithstanding the mixed

in four years time. Exemption

Yojan and Mobile telephony

response to the Aakash tablet.

on raw materials imported for

(JAM in short) as game

In an attempt to encourage

the manufacture of ITA bound

changing reforms. While GST

manufacturing of tablets in the

items from Special Additional

will set up a state of the art

country, the budget proposes to

Duty (SAD) will also have a

indirect tax system by April 1,

exempt tablet manufacturers

positive effect on domestic

2016, the JAM trinity sets out

from basic custom duty, excise

manufacturing of electronic

to help the Government to pass

duty and additional duty on

goods. Vinod Sharma,

on benefits in a transparent,

components and raw materials

Chairman, Electronics and

cashless and objective manner.

used in the making of tablets.

Computer Software Export

Rajan S. Mathews feels,“This

On the other hand, the excise

Promotion Council says,

is a positive step as it recognizes

duty on imported smartphones

“We have been urging the

and encourages the role of

has been increased from 6 per

Government to withdraw SAD

mobile telephony towards

cent to 12 per cent in case of

on the imported raw materials

facilitating financial inclusion

CENVAT (Central Value Added

and components to address

and will enable well-targeted

Tax) credit to discourage

the inverted tax structure. This

cashless transfers. This will

dependence on imports and

step will help the domestic

help in the uptake of mobile

induce local vendors to set

electronics sector to grow

payment services.” Regarding

up manufacturing within the

faster, which is the need of the

GST, Bhaskar Pramanik,

country. This is likely to inflate

hour.”

chairman, Microsoft India

the smartphone prices unless

For the e-commerce sector,

says, “The Finance Minister

manufacturers decide to absorb

the Government has stressed on

has provided a firm timeline

the expense instead of passing

RuPay debit cards, a domestic

for the implementation of GST,

it on the buyers.

payment gateway system

and this will help companies

S Rajendran, CMO, Acer

developed by National Payment

effectively plan for the next

India has mixed feelings

Corporation of India as an

year. Deferring GAAR by

about these measures. He

alternative to Master card and

two years, and the fact that

says, “While some progress

Visa card. It will work at most

the Government is looking

has been made towards

ATMs and is already accepted

to implement its provisions

addressing the inverted duty

for payment by thousands of

prospectively from 2017, is

structure and dual CENVAT

online stores and merchants.

also a welcome move.”

structure for encouraging local

With all clearances and

manufacture of tablets and

processes taking place in the

development and formation

smartphones, keeping out PCs

country, cashless transactions

of National Skill Mission is

with the attendant increase

will be more affordable. Tapan

also expected to go a long

in excise duty/CENVAT from

Kumar Das, CEO of iTiffin.in,

way in tapping the talent and

12.36 per cent to 12.5 per

feels that bolstering cashless

addressing the prevailing

cent in addition to the jump to

transactions through RuPay

employment crisis in the

14 per cent in service tax bodes

debit cards and reduction of

country.

ill for increasing demand for

tax on royalty fees for technical

Director Marketing, Intex

this category which is already

services by 15 per cent will

Technologies says, “The

suffering from woefully low

be of tremendous help to

National Skill Mission will be

penetration rates.”

e-commerce start-ups.”

a great initiative to develop

Reason for cheer

Emphasis

on

skill

Keshav Bansal,

youth employability, thus

The industry has, however,

The impact of GST and JAM trinity

been unanimous in praising

The Finance minster considers

growth and job creation, it

the reduction in Corporate Tax

goods and services tax (GST)

is sure to drive India’s global

from 30 percent to 25 per cent

and Jandhan Yojana, Aadhar

competitiveness.”

www.mymobile.co.in

contributing to the growth of our country. With focus on

The road ahead But of course, the budget is just a series of proposals. What is promised and planned also has to be delivered. Microsoft’s Bhaskar Parmanik is quick to point this out. “We must hold the Government

In focus

spotlight

accountable for delivering on their budget promises. Many of the announcements made in previous budget, which were geared to resolve transfer pricing litigation are yet to be implemented. It is nice to make a mention of the measures for dispute resolution in the speech, but the key is implementation,” he says. Some feel that interests of domestic players should have been protected better. “To safeguard the interests of the indigenous mobile handset players, the revisions in excise duty structure should have been unrolled gradually to give optimum time to local handset manufacturers to strengthen manufacturing,” points out Pardeep Jain, MD, Karbonn Mobiles. All of which makes Budget 2015 a bit of a mixed bag. While every one has applauded the Make in India initiative, there is some disappointment at some concerns of the telecom sector having been left unaddressed. There is also a feeling that the prices of many smartphones might actually increase in the coming days (Apple has already announced an increased in the prices of its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from April 1 onwards). But the general mood of the industry seems to be positive. n abhijit@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 63


AppyFizz

apptastic

The Lesser Known Social Networks Contrary to what many people think, there is more social networking beyond Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We take a look at some other useful social networking apps that do not hog the limelight as often as others. By Trisha Dey & Saumya Nigam

U

tter the words “social networking” and most people will assume that

64 | april 2015

Goodreads: For the bookworms

you are talking about Facebook or

If you are a book lover then this is the perfect network for you as this is the world’s

Twitter. A few might even think of the

largest social network for readers. You can find new and interesting books by browsing

likes of Google Plus and LinkedIn but

personalized recommendations based on books you have read and your favorite

beyond that, it is pure geek territory. But

genres. You can also use the barcode scanner when you are in a bookstore and add

that does not mean that social networks

the book to your “to-read” shelf and browse reviews before buying. The app helps

are limited to a handful of apps and

you to search, rate, and review any book and there are more than 12 million books

services. No, scratch the surface of the

in discussion You can see book reviews and updates

social networking revolution and you

from your friends, and comment on them, and can

will come across literally dozens of

also add status updates and

applications that let you connect to

page number updates for

other people and share information

books you are presently

easily. So if you are fed up of Facebook

reading. Bookworm paradise,

and Twitter and want to try out a new

certainly.

social network, here are five social

Google Play, iTunes app store,

networking options worth trying out:

Windows Store

Available From:

MYMOBILE


AppyFizz

apptastic Vine: The mini video parlour Vine is considered by many to be the Instagram of video. The service revolves around small video clips of up to 6 seconds, each called a Vine. You can share, watch and like videos posted by others and explore the happenings which are taking place around the world. You can even send private video messages to a specific person and can even link the app with your Twitter accounts. There are lots of genres to search from- comedy, family, food, news, technology and more. You can either upload the video and customize it accordingly or can shoot a new video and share it easily. The best part? Because the videos are so small in size, they can be viewed even on relatively slow 2G and EDGE connections. Available From: Google Play, iTunes app store, Windows Store

Flickr: Photographers’ paradise Flickr even now remains the social network for those who want to share what they term serious photography. Unlike other social networks like Instagram and Facebook which actually reduce the resolution of the images you upload, Flickr lets you upload images in their original high resolution and comes with a number of handy editing tools ranging from the basic to detailed filters. It also reveals information about the camera and setting used to shoot it. You can like and comment on them and can even see which are the most popular cameras on the social network. Yes, these photographs do tend to be bulky and heavy but then Flickr comes with a titanic 1 TB online storage space. Yes, you need a Yahoo account to be able to use it, but if you really love photography then this is the social network to be on. Available From: Google Play, iTunes app store, Windows Store

Secret: No names mentioned, ever Secret offers a platform that allows users to share their feelings and thoughts, without disclosing their names. Your network is built anonymously too and all that you can find out is whether a comment or post has been made by a person in your contact list or by one of their friends. No names or numbers are disclosed at any stage. You can also easily ask “Yes or No” questions that people can respond to by just hitting a button. You can also chat privately with anyone and make new friends. Some of the content here

might

be

shocking but it is a social network that is rapidly becoming a rage because of the anonymity it offers. Available From: Google Play

Snapchat: For those really short (time) messages Want to share content for a very short time with someone? Well, Snapchat gives you the ability to do just that easily. You can take photos, record videos, edit and add text and even do some sketching over it and can send it. And the best part is that the sender can set a time - say from 1 second to maximum of 10 seconds for the receiver to view it, before it vanishes. Oh yes, once the time set elapses, the image or message will automatically be deleted from the receiver’s window. Small wonder the app is doing very well indeed, as it also saves storage space – no need to keep clearing caches or saved images on your device. Available From: Google Play n trisha@mymobile.co.in saumya@mymobile.co.in

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 65


In focus

spotlight

Watch Out!

It’s Apple The much-hyped Apple Watch will finally be arriving in late April in select markets. But does it have the potential to redefine the wearables market to the extent that many believe it will? We take a closer look at the product and its potential based on what we know. By Nimish Dubey

A

pple CEO Tim Cook called it the ”most personal

watch faces and the fact that the displays are

product we’ve ever made, because it is designed to be

made of sapphire crystal and Ion-X glass and

worn,” and it certainly is the most innovative device

you get the idea of just how much effort has

to have come out of Cupertino for a while. If the iPod

gone into the watch. Yes, it is not expected to

changed the way we listened to music, the iPhone changed phone

come cheap – prices of the Sport model start

interfaces and usage patterns for good and the iPad made tablets a

at USD 349 and go all the way up to USD

part of our digital existence, the Apple Watch is expected to herald

10,000, but there is no doubt that Apple has

the wearables revolution in the world. The big question, of course,

placed a product that feels right at home in the

is: can it? After all, Google’s Android Wear wearables initiative has

premium watch segment.

not exactly set the market on fire. What can Apple offer in its watch that the competition has not?

It has the looks!

…and the interface and the apps! Of course, all this will be of little use if the watch itself does not deliver in the performance stakes. The

Whatever doubts people might have about its potential, there seem

watch mechanism is by itself incredibly so accurate that

to be utterly none about the design of the Apple Watch. Observers

every Apple Watch in the world is supposed to be in perfect

have been near universal in their acclaim for the device, which has

sync and the watch adjusts automatically as you move across time

managed to stay remarkably watch-like and compact, unlike some

zones. And you don’t only get to choose from several watchfaces

of its clunky and large counterparts in the competition. Be it the

but you can also customize them by deciding what information

Apple Watch, the Sport or the super niche Apple Watch Edition,

they display.

Apple’s first wearable is indeed a sight for sore eyes. The watch will be available in two case sizes: 38 mm and 42

In best smartwatch tradition, you can make and receive phone calls, mails and messages from the Apple Watch, but Apple has

mm and both can be set to work on either hand. The materials

thrown in some interesting spins to it as well. You can actually

used have been premium. Rather than the plastic that we have

sketch something on your watch and send it to another person

seen in most Android Wear devices, Apple has opted to work with custom alloys of steel, aluminium and even 18-carat yellow and rose gold on the higher end. Top that off with a wide variety of straps made of different materials with precision engineered grooves, dozens of classy 66 | april 2015

wearing an Apple Watch and yes, you can also send tap patterns and if you are feeling particularly sentimental, even send your heartbeat. And the interface is very smooth too – you get a light tap on your wrist every time you get a message, and just raising your wrist will

MYMOBILE


show you the message and the sender. The watch will

And then there is the matter of the price – the least expensive of the

also track your fitness data, provide navigation, and let

Apple Watch range is the Sports model which will start at USD 349

you control music and camera functions on your phone.

(about Rs. 22,000 in simple exchange terms), which in itself is

Apple is also believed to have pulled out all stops to get

much more expensive than most of the Android Wear watches (the

developers to make apps for the Apple Watch. Instagram, Twitter,

gorgeous Moto 360 costs Rs. 17,999). Of course, the accusations

Evernote, Shazam and ESPN are already making apps for the

of limited utility and high prices had been levelled at the iPhone

Apple Watch, letting you do everything you can on your phone

and iPad too, but those products succeeded because they were

without actually having to take your phone out.

so incredibly easy and addictive to use. We have a feeling that at

But will it work?

the end of the day, that is what is going to decide the fate of the Apple Watch and perhaps even the whole wearables phenomenon

It has the looks, design, interface and apps, but there is still a

– whether the devices will be easy to use. And actually useful.

considerable amount of cynicism about the prospects of the Apple

Meanwhile, the wait for the Apple Watch has started. It will be

Watch. A lot of concern is being expressed about its battery life

available in select countries on April 24. No, India is not one of

which many say will struggle to see through a day. The fact that it

them. But we are keeping our eyes open. Stay tuned, or should

needs to be constantly connected to an iPhone has also spurred

we say: watch out? n

people to say that it does nothing that the iPhone itself does not.

www.mymobile.co.in

In focus

spotlight exclusive

nimishdubey@mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 67


Game On

Boredombuster

Jolly Jam

Like Candy Crush, but with a spin

I

t might remind people of Candy

rest of the jellies will fall in places

Crush, but Rovio’s new puzzle

quite willingly, making this one

game Jolly Jam is a trendsetter

of the easiest puzzle games we

in puzzle games bringing an

have played. The game does not

entirely new approach to it. It is

also challenge you the way Candy

lavishly colorful, with a very lively

Crush does - it seems the whole

backdrop to the game. The game

idea is to keep you engaged in a

marks a departure from matching

playful manner with good graphics,

as many candies or jellies in single

sparkling items, and many levels

line works, and instead works by

instead of tiring you down. If the

dragging similar looking jellies

candy crush is too complicated, try

inside a box with the same jellies

the Jolly Jam.

on the opposite corners. This is

Available from: Google Play, iTunes App

even simpler than it sounds as the

Store (Free). n

Real Cricket 2014 World Cup

Old wine in a new bottle

R

68 | april 2015

eal Cricket has been a popular

appeared on the horizon a little late, but

mobile cricket game for a

an offering like this is any day better

while now, one that captures

than the rag tag collection of games that

the nuances of the game quite smartly

try to capture the thrill and excitement

and supplements it with some decent

of the Gentleman’s Game. It offers fully

graphics as well. Small wonder the

licensed players, latest jerseys and the

developer has repeated the formula

entire format of the World Cup without

often, customising it for domestic

charging a dime. There are paid modes

leagues like Aussie T20 Bash. And with

but the World Cup is free to play, which

the arrival of the cricket World Cup,

makes it a must-have for cricket fans.

it was quite natural to expect a World

Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store

Cup avatar from them. It might have

(Free). n

MYMOBILE


Agent Alice

Find them, detective!

I

t might not get as much attention as endless runners and physics based racers and puzzles, but there is a huge following for the hidden object genre. And Agent Alice is made on similar lines, with

an intricate storyline, highly detailed setting, sultry looking women and the playful yet maddening hide and seek between the criminal and the investigator. The game succeeds but the slow pace and the

Game On

Boredombuster

repetitiveness of the task will bore you out, unless you are really crazy about the genre. The main task is of searching for clues at different locations and making the task more interesting are options like drawing information out of witnesses, using tact or brute force and fighting anyone who stands in the way of the law. The game rewards you with stars and cash and the quicker your detetcive finds the evidence, the higher the star count would be. It is free and although some might find it a little tedious, definitely worth a try, just to discover that there is a gaming genre beyond Temple Run, Cut The Rope and Angry Birds. Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store (Free). n

Stickman Tennis 2015 Advantage, tennis fans!

T

ennis games are rare on mobile

The game is challenging even on the

platforms, and good tennis

easiest of modes but the freedom to

games are rarer still. Which

create your own player, play against

is why we were so delighted to see

the

a sequel to the fast-paced Stickman

gain experience and

Tennis. A part of the Stickman

improve

franchise, where black sticks shaped

makes it as appealing

characters personify players, Stickman

and comprehensive as

Tennis 2015 once again proves that

a console game. No,

mere basics if applied perfectly can be

the graphics have not

as much fun as high-graphics driven

changed much but

complex games. Besides the expected

there is enough depth

roster of latest players, it has a number

to keep you engaged for

of player reactions, like jumping on

hours. Oh and it remains free!

scoring a point or dropping down with

Available from: Google Play, iTunes App

disappointment on conceding one.

Store (Free). n

www.mymobile.co.in

top

players, ranking

april 2015 | 69


Game On

Boredombuster

Age of Sparta

This is Spaaaartaaa!

A

ge of Sparta, as its name indicates, is the tale of Sparta in the midst of a looming Persian invasion on Greece. The Spartans, being Spartans, take lead and decide to build an army, which is where the

strategist in you is put to test. You enter as a commander entrusted with war preparations, such as adding new industries, building farms, collecting special taxes, hiring soldiers, and equipping them. It is very straightforward till here. The real test begins when you go to combat. A multiplayer game, it won’t move one bit without a fluent Internet connection. Although free to download, the game does command a high price in the form of in-app purchases but raising coins through taxes is not that hard, only time consuming. Use of supernatural and the mythical forces like dragons reminds one of timeless classics like the Age of Mythology. The sheer scale of activities and challenges posed make Age of Sparta an exciting proposition for strategy gamers. Available from: Google Play, iTunes App store, Windows Store (Free). n

Stick Cricket 2

Still simply awesome

S

tick Sports’ Stick Cricket has

game still has a single viewpoint

continued to be one of the

– from behind the batsman – and

most popular titles around,

your attempt even now is to pile on

thanks to its sheer simplicity. It

the shots, but instead of matches

did not have the sort of realistic

you now have targets to achieve in

graphics that other games had and

a number of mini games. Graphics

had not bowling or fielding options,

have been polished with some more

but it made batting incredibly

animations being added, and you

simple and entertaining, and it is

can now also play as a woman, but

after all, a batsman’s game. Well,

the essence of the game remains

the game now has a sequel and to

its incredible simplicity – playing

Stick Sports’ credit, they have stuck

it is as simple as hitting a button

with what works and also thrown

at the right time. Our advice?

in a few interesting tweaks. You

Download and enjoy! It is free too.

still cannot bowl or field, but there

Available from: Google Play, iTunes App

are a number of new strokes and

Store (Free). n abhijit@mymobile.co.in

equipment options available. The

70 | april 2015

MYMOBILE



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MYGUIDE While My Mobile tries to ensure accuracy in the pricing and features any discrepancies that may emerge are beyond our control. Please check with the retailer about features of the phone before buying. The ratings that have been included are from the burn tests of the phones that we have reviewed. Feel free to update us.

(Last updated on March 10, 2015) Devices featured in the My Guide have been segregated into four categories baswed on price and colour-coded as:

Nokia Sub-entry level (up to Rs 2,499) Entry-level (Rs 2,500 - Rs 5,999) Mid-level

(Rs 6,000 - Rs 11,999)

High-level

(Rs 12,000 upwards)

CDMA Tablet Lifestyle

Disclaimer : The prices quoted in My Guide are the Best Buy prices quoted by the respective companies, ex-Delhi. The prices may vary on account of promotional schemes or dealer discretion. M.O.P. mentiond in My Guide are not applicable in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

NR stands for not reviewed M.O.P. stands for Market Operating Price

MYMOBILE

APRIL 2015 I 73


MYGUIDE MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

MODELS

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

PARAMETERS Nokia 220 Dual SIM

Nokia 225

Nokia 206

Nokia Asha 210

Nokia 502

Dimension (mm)

110.4 x 47 x 13.5

116 x 50 x 12.9

116.4 x 50.3 x 13.2

124 x 55.5 x 10.4

116 x 49 x 12.4

111.5 x 60 x 11.8

99.6 x 59.5 x 11.1

Weight (grams)

69.9

78.4

83.4

100.6

91

97.3

100

Nokia 108

Model

Nokia 215

NEW

13.8/600

20/696

24/576

21/648

20/680

12/1104

13.7/576

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/1.8

256/2.4

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.8

65,536/2.4

65,536/2.4

262,144/3.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4MB/32GB

8MB/32GB

-/32GB

NA/32GB

64MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

500

Shared

Shared

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Dual SIM/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Series 30

Proprietary

Nokia OS

Asha software 1.1

Series 40

Series 40

Asha software 1.5

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

82

NR

NR

1,400

2,149

2,400

3,000

3,450

4,400

4,900

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

MODELS

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

PARAMETERS Model

Nokia Lumia 520

Lumia 435

NEW

Nokia Lumia 530

Lumia 532

NEW

Nokia X2

Nokia Lumia 630

Nokia XL

Dimension (mm)

119.9 x 64 x 9.9

118.1 x 64.7 x 11.7

119.7 x 62.3 x 11.7

118.9 x 65.5 x 11.6

121.7 x 68.3 x 11.1

129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2

141.4 x 77.7 x 10.9

Weight (grams)

124

134.1

129

136.3

150

134

190

14/360

20.9/504

13.4/528

12/528

10/552

16.4/648

16/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/64GB

8GB/128GB

4GB/128GB

8GB/128GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/128GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs 74 I APRIL 2015

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSPA

Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Nokia X software platform

Windows Phone 8.1

Nokia X software platform

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

86

NR

78

NR

NR

86

82

5,000

5,849

6,430

6,499

7,200

7,400

7,500

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

MODELS

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

PARAMETERS Model

Nokia X+

Nokia Lumia 525

Nokia Lumia 638

Nokia Lumia 630

Lumia 535

Nokia Lumia 1320

Nokia Lumia 625

Dimension (mm)

115.5 x 63 x 10.4

119.9 x 64 x 9.9

129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2

129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2

140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8

164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8

133.2 x 72.2 x 9.2

Weight (grams)

128.7

124

136

134

146

220

159

Talktime/Standby (hours)

13.3/408

17/336

16.4/648

16.4/648

11/336

25/672

23.9/768

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/4.5

16illiom/5.0

16million/6.0

16.7million/4.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/128GB

8GB/128GB

8GB/128GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/64GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G/4G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA/Yes

Operating System

Nokia X software platform

Windows Phone 8

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1

Windows Phone 8

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

88

NR

86

82

84

82

7,710

7,800

8,000

9,000

9,100

13,600

13,900

MICROSOFT

SUB-ENTRY LEVEL (UP TO Rs 2,499)

MODELS

MICROSOFT

MICROSOFT

PARAMETERS Model

Nokia Lumia 730

Nokia Lumia 830

ADCOM

Nokia Lumia 1020

Nokia Lumia 1520

X14

CELKON X28

A352E

Dimension (mm)

134.7 x 68.5 x 8.7

139.4x70.7x8.5

130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4

162.8 x 85.4 8.7

126 x 55 x 15

127 x 56x 12

115 x 62 x 10.7

Weight (grams)

130

150

158

209

62

72

108

22/600

12.9/528

19.1/384

27.4/768

30/120

30/120

11/96

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7million/4.7

16million/5.0

16.7million/4.5

16million/6.0

262,144/2.4

256K/2.8

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

Yes/Yes

16GB/64GB

32MB/8GB

32MB/8GB

512MB/32Gb

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

32GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

6.7MP/Yes/Yes

10.0MP/Yes/Yes

41.0MP/Yes/Yes

20.0MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

150

150

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/No/N0

Yes/No/No

2G/Yes/Yes

Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8

-

No

Android 4.2.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

84

82

82

82

NR

NR

NR

14,000

21,249

25,000

36,000

1,249

1,299

2,299

APRIL 2015 I 75


MYGUIDE (UP TO Rs 2,499)

(UP TO R s 2,499)

MODELS

(UP TO R s 2,499)

PARAMETERS Model

HITECH Pride 369

I-SMART IS-301i

NEW

LEMON

IS-202i

NEW

B201i

NEW

B191

NEW

B556

NEW

B416

Dimension (mm)

133 x 56 x 9.5

112.32 x 47.7 x 14.52

123.8 x 53 x 14.6

112.3 x 50 x 14

114 x 48 x 13

123 x 51 x 12.8

12.3 x 52 x 11

Weight (grams)

96

70

130

74

70

94

86

Talktime/Standby (hours)

3/230

5/15

8.6/30

7/400

3/NA

10/450

5/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.8

65,536/1.8

262,144/2.4

65,536/1.8

65,536/1.8

65,523/2.4

65,536/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

-/32GB

NA/8GB

NA/16GB

NA/16GB

NA/16GB

NA/16GB

NA/16GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

200

300

300

1000

1000

1000

300

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM Dual Band /GSM+GSM

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/No/No

Nucleus

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

1,499

950

1,199

1,199

1,150

1,299

1,599

(UP TO Rs 2,499)

ENTRY LEVEL

MODELS

(UP TO R s 2,499)

PARAMETERS Model

LEMON DURA 1820

Guru Music 2

Metro 312

400

110 x 46 x 16

126.6 x 52.6 x 13.7

130 x 56.7 x 9.4

-

112.7 x 46.4 x 13.1

126 x 66 x 13

Weight (grams)

100

188

218

203

74.98

73.7

152

NEW

DURA 2811

ADCOM

128.3 x 55.6 x 11.5

NEW

DURA 2442

SAMSUNG

Dimension (mm)

Talktime/Standby (hours)

B859

OORIE NEW

6/300

22/750

22/750

22/750

11/800

12/NA

11/72

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.8

65,536/1.77

262,144/2.4

262,144/ 2.8

65,536/2.0

65,536/2.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/16GB

8GB/16GB

8GB/16GB

8GB/16GB

NA/16GB

NA/16GB

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

Yes/No/Yes

1.3MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/Yes/Yes

1.3/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

Shared

Shared

Shared

NA

1000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 76 I APRIL 2015

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Qual Band/GSM+GSM Qual Band/GSM+GSM Qual Band/GSM+GSM Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

No/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

NA

MTK

MTK

MTK

Proprietary

Proprietary

Android OS v4.0

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

1,799

1,050

1,500

1,700

1,850

2,450

2,599

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE (Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

ENTRY LEVEL (Rs 2,500-5,999)

ADCOM

PARAMETERS Model

ALCATEL

BLOOM

440Plus

A50

OT 2005D

OT 4007D PIXI

GLOBE B35

GLOBE 3.5 3G

GLOBE 4.0 Lite

Dimension (mm)

136.36 X 66.36 x 8.8

145 x 70 x 9

120 x 50 x 9.95

115 x 62.3 x 12.2

121.5 x 63.7 x 10.5

119 x 61.2 x 10.6

126 x 63 x 9.5

Weight (grams)

135

162

85

118

104

108

131

Talktime/Standby (hours)

11/72

11/72

14/425

13/500

3/100

3/100

3/100

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4 inch

16million/5.0

262,155/2.4

262,144/3.5

-/3.5

-/3.5 Inch

-/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

128 MB/8GB

512MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Qual Band/GSM+GSM Qual BandGSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band+GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes /No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

NA

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

3,499

3,999

2,750

4,933

2,499

2,599

2,999

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

BLOOM

PARAMETERS

CELKON

CHEERS

Model

Globe Lite 3G

GLOBE 4.5 Lite

GLOBE B40 IPS

A354C

A35K

WIN400

MI Smart

Dimension (mm)

126 x 63 x 9.5

138 x 66 x 9.3

126 x 63 x 9.5

115.5 x 61 x 10.3

119 x 63 x 10.7

130 x 59 x 10.0

107 X 51

Weight (grams)

128

152

130

98

104.67

120

74

Talktime/Standby (hours)

100/3

4/120

4/120

10/90

11/96

11/96

7/-

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

-/4.0

-/4.5

-/4

16million/3.5

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

-/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

512MB/32

2GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

2GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

2MP/Yes/Yes

2MP+VGA/Yes/Yes

5MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

NA

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band+GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/No/No

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android 4OS v.4

Android OS v4.4

Windows Phone 8.1

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

2,999

3,999

3,999

2,570

2,940

4,979

2,999

APRIL 2015 I 77


MYGUIDE (Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

CHEERS

PARAMETERS

HITECH

Model

Smart 40

Smart X

Smart 5

Smart Turbo

AMAZE S305

Amaze S411

AIR A1

Dimension (mm)

117 X 55

115 X 53

131 X 61

130 X 62

116.8 x 60.9 x 10.7

122 x 63 x 9.5

131 x 66 x 9.7

Weight (grams)

108

106

142

156

102

102

127

Talktime/Standby (hours)

7/

7/

8

8/

4/200

3/180

3/180

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

-/4.0

4.0

-/5.0

-/5.0

16million/3.5

16million/4

16million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes /Yes

5.0MP/Yes /Yes

Phonebook Capacity

-

-

-

-

Shared

1000

1000

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual BandGSM+GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Rx only/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android 4.4

Android 4.4

Android 4.2

Android 4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

2,999

3,999

4,999

5,299

2,999

3,299

4,799

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

I-SMART

PARAMETERS Model

A26

A35

S99 Titanium

Sparkle V

356 3G

119.3 x 62.2 x 11.2

125.3 x 63.8 x 12.1

-

-

133 x 66 x 9.7

113x66x10.4

116.9 x 62.5 x 12.6

Weight (grams)

100

135

-

-

130

138

112

NEW

IS-402

LAVA

Dimension (mm)

Talktime/Standby (hours)

IS-305

KARBONN NEW

7.5/NA

7.5/NA

5/200

5/200

5/168

8/160

5/200

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/4.8

16million/4.8

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

-/32GB

-/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

5MP/Yes/Yes

5MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 78 I APRIL 2015

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

80

NR

NR

2,899

3,599

4,900

5,100

5,990

5,900

3,900

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE (Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

LAVA

PARAMETERS Model

LG

LEMON Ocean 6

OORIE

Optimus L3 II Single

Optimus L3II Dual

Dimension (mm)

124 x 64.5 x 10.3

102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9

102.9 x 61.3 x 11.9

119.6 x 62 x 10.2

126 x 65.7 x 10.2

-

134 X 67 x 8.05

Weight (grams)

-

125

110

106

104

-

118

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Ocean 2

MICROMAX

Iris 406Q

NEW

NEW

Canvas Pep

NEW

Discovery 927B

NEW

-

8/480

16/730

6/240

7/16

6/210

19/520

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16illion/4.0

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/32GB

NA/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

5.0/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Qual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

78

NR

NR

NR

NR

5,500

5,000

5,900

3,699

4,750

5,999

3,500

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-5,999)

OORIE

PARAMETERS Model

Discovery 927A

SAMSUNG

SPICE

Champ Neo Duos C3262

Galaxy Star 2

Galaxy Ace NXT

Galaxy Star Pro

Dimension (mm)

134 x 67 x 8.05

96.9 x 54.3 x 13.5

109.8 x 59.9 x 11.8

121.4 x 62.9 x 10.7

121.2 x 62.7 x 10.6

120.4 x 63.2 x 9.7

128.5 x 64.5 x 10.15

Weight (grams)

118

82

107.6

123

121

112

-

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NEW

Z1

NEW

Steller 431

NEW

19/520

14/550

-

-/-

15/370

8/-

-/-

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

20MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/64GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.5MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

NA

NA

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android 4.4 kitkat

Proprietary

Proprietary

Android v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Tizen OS

Android v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

4,750

2,700

4,000

4,800

5,000

5,700

3,500

APRIL 2015 I 79


MYGUIDE (Rs 2,500-5,999)

MID LEVEL (Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(Rs 6000-11,999)

SPICE

PARAMETERS

ALCATEL

BLACKBERRY

CELKON

Curve 9320

9720

Q455

Steller 445

Steller 436

OT 8000D

OT 6012D IDOL MINI

Dimension (mm)

125 x 56 x 10.5

125 x 65.8 x 11.5

143 x 78.4 X 9.8

127.1 x 62 x 7.9

109 x 60 x 12.7

114 x 66 x 12

136.5 x 68 x 7.9

Weight (grams)

-

100

163

96

103

120

130

Model

-

4.5/170

16/15

9/540

7/432

7/432

7/432

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/4.0

16million/4.0

262,144/NA

16million/4.3

65,536/2.44

262,144/2.8

16million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

-/32GB

4GB/32 GB

8GB/None

512MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

16GB/64GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

shared

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

BlackBerry OS 7.1

BlackBerry OS 7.1

Yes/Yes/HSPA Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

80

NR

NR

3,800

5,000

9,999

10,900

8,000

10,500

6,999

(R s 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(R s 6000-11,999)

CELKON

PARAMETERS Model

GIONEE

HITECH

HTC

Q500

Q550

CTRL V5

Air A6

Desire 310 Plus

Desire 516

Dimension (mm)

145.6 x 71.8 x 8

152 x 76 x 8

134.5 x 67.7 x 8.1

147.8 x 72.8 x 7.9

132.4 x 68 x 11.3

140 x 72 x 9.7

139.8 x 69.8 x 9.9

Weight (grams)

149

143.8

103.5

150

140

160

154

15/200

24.4/300

14.5/324

4/300

11/852

9/220

15/622

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 80 I APRIL 2015

Desire 526G+

NEW

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Yes/Yes/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS, v4.2

Android 4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

76

NR

9,599

9,999

10,999

6,999

9,100

10,400

10,880

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSPA

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE (Rs 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(Rs 6000-11,999)

IDEA

PARAMETERS Model

I-SMART

Aurus III

Whiz II

Aurus IV

Ultra

S5+ Titanium

Titanium Octen

NA

NA

NA

NA

144.5 x 72.1 x 8.5

NA

145.7 x 71.2 x 7.9

Weight (grams)

NA

NA

NA

NA

160

NA

-

Talktime/Standby (hours)

IS-55

KARBONN

Dimension (mm)

NEW

7/350

8.5/NA

7.5/400

16/700

8/NA

NA/NA

-

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

262,144/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/64GB

1.4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shred

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Tri Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.1

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

7,790

10,490

8,999

12,500

6,999

7,397

9,990

(Rs 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(R s 6000-11,999)

KARBONN

PARAMETERS

LAVA

LENOVO

LG

Model

Titanium Octen Plus

Iris X1

Irish 506Q

Iris Fuel 60

Irish X5

A850

Optimus L5 II E450

Dimension (mm)

147.3 x 72.6 x 7.6

134 x 66 x 8.9

143 x 73 x 8.9

144.8 x 72.8 x 10.2

143.5 x 71.5 x 7.7

79.3 x 9.45 x 153.5

117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2

Weight (grams)

-

138

NA

174

134

184

103

Talktime/Standby (hours)

-

9.7/-

5.3/230

32/-

6/200

28.6/490

10/642

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

16MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

10.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Tri Band/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

11,900

7,100

8,800

8,888

8,650

10,500

8,050

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

APRIL 2015 I 81


MYGUIDE (Rs 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(R s 6000-11,999)

LG

PARAMETERS Model

LEMON

Optimus L5 II Dual

L70 D310

Dimension (mm)

117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2

127.2 x 66.8 x 9.5

Weight (grams)

103

126.6

Ocean 101

MICROMAX Canvas Fire 4

A1

Canvas Xpress A99

145 × 73.5 × 11.4

132x67x9.15

132.4 x 64.5 x 8.65

-

-

182

136

143

-

-

NEW

NEW

Canvas Hue

NEW

10/642

4.6/490

10/300

6/160

7/240

7/300

9.3/280

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

16million/4.5

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v5.0

Android OS v4.4

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

84

8,800

11,800

8,299

6,499

6,500

6,999

9,999

(Rs 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(Rs 6000-11,999)

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS

SONY

Model

Galaxy Star 2Plus

Galaxy S duos 3

Galaxy Core 2

Galaxy J1

Galaxy Win

Galaxy Core Prime

E1

Dimension (mm)

129.7 x 65.9 x 9.4

121.4 x 62.9 x 10.8

130.3 x 68 x 9.8

Weight (grams)

-

124

138

129 x 68.2 x 8.9

133.3 x 70.7 x 9.7

130.8 x 67.9 x 8.8

118 x 62.4 x 12

122

143.9

130

120

-/-

7/-

-/-

10/-

11/210

-

8.2/498

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

16million/4.0

262,144/4.5

16million/4.3

16million/4.7

16million/4.5

16million/4.0

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/128GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.5MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

SharedQuad

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Band/GSM+GSM

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 82 I APRIL 2015

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

NEW

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Android v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

6,250

7,050

7,200

7,400

7,680

9,000

6,000

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE (Rs 6000-11,999)

(Rs 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(R s 6000-11,999)

SPICE

SONY

PARAMETERS E1 Dual

Xperia M

Xperia E3

Xperia E3 Dual

Xperia M Dual

Steller 509

Stellar Virtuoso Pro Mi 496

Dimension (mm)

118 x 62.4 x 12

124 x 62 x 9.3

137.1 x 69.4 x 8.5

137.1 x 69.4 x 8.5

124 x 62 x 9.3

145x79 x9.5

NA

Weight (grams)

120

115

143

143

115

120

NA

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.2/498

10.16/498

12.2/70

12.2/70

10.16/498

4/192

NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16million/4.5

16million/4.0

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android v4.0

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

6,999

9,000

9,900

10,800

11,000

6,200

6,000

(Rs 6000-11,999)

(R s 6000-11,999)

MODELS

(R s 6000-11,999)

SPICE

PARAMETERS Model

XOLO

Dream UNO Mi

Coolpad MI-515

Q710S

Q1000 Opus

Q900

Opus 3

Omega 5

Dimension (mm)

132x67x9.15

140 x 73 x 9.9

135 x 67 x 8.5

143.3 x 72.9 x 9

137 x 70 x 9.9

143 x 71.3 x 8.8

144 x 72 x 10.5

Weight (grams)

138

161

-

NA

138

-

-

17/160

NA

22/640

18/700

13/384

26/550

22/675

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/Yes/Yes

8GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Tri Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDP+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Operating System

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

6,299

7,500

6,999

6,490

8,600

8,499

8,999

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

APRIL 2015 I 83


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

HIGH LEVEL R s 12,000 UPWARDS

ALCATEL

PARAMETERS

APPLE

OT 6030

Idol X+

OT 6033X

Iphone 5C

Iphone 5S

Iphone 6

Iphone 6 Plus

Dimension (mm)

133 x 67.5 x 7.9

140.4 x 69.1 x 7.9

134.4 x 68.5 x 6.4

124.4 x 59.2 8.97

123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6

138.1 x 67 x 6.9

158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1

Weight (grams)

110

130

110

132

112

129

172

Model

7.2/415

12/240

16/700

10/250

10/250

14/250

24/384

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/NA

16million/5.0

16million/NA

16million/4.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.7

16million/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

16GB/No

16GB/No

16,32/No

16,32,64/No

16,64,128/No

16,64,128/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.1/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HPSA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

iOS8

iOS8

iOS8

iOS8

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

84

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

13,500

16,999

17,900

41,900/53,500

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

53,500/62,500/73,500 53,500/62,500/71,500 62,500/71,500/80,500

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS Q5

Z3

Curve 9360

Z10

Q10

Z30

Dimension (mm)

120 x 66 x 10.8

140 x 72.8 x 9.3

112 x 62 x 14.2

130 x 65.6 x 9

119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4

140.7 x 72 x 9.4

131 x 72.4 x 10.2

Weight (grams)

120

164

130

136

139

170

177

12/336

15.5/384

5/336

10/312

10/NA

25/384

17.10/365

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.1

16million/5.0

262,144/2.44

16million/4.2

16million/3.1

16million/5.0

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

256MB/32GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/128GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HDSPA

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 84 I APRIL 2015

Classic

NEW

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

BlackBerry OS 10

BlackBerry OS 10.2

BlackBerry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS 10

BlackBerry OS 10

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

84

82

NR

82

12,000

12,000

16,990

17,800

24,500

30,000

30,000

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

BlackBerry OS 10.2 BlackBerry OS 10.3.1

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS

GIONEE

Passport

Marathon M3

Elife E5

Elife E7 Mini

Elife S5.5

Elife E6

Elife S5.1

Dimension (mm)

128 x 90.3 x 9.3

144.5 X 71.5 X 10.4

137 X 69 X 6.85

139.8 x 66.2 x 8.6

145.1 x 70.2 x 5.6

142.5 x 69.4 x 7.9

139.8 x 67.4 x 5.1

Weight (grams)

196

1180.3

133.9

142.9

NA

120

97.7

Model

18/432

51/792

NA

18/200

NA

NA/NA

-

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.5

16millon/5.0

16millon/4.8

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

16.7million/5.0

16million/4.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32GB/128GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/NA

16BG/No

16GB/No

32GB/No

16GB/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

13MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

BlackBerry OS 10.3

Android OS v4.4

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

86

82

82

-

88

82

46,700

13,999

14,800

17,000

20,500

19,000

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

18,999

PARAMETERS Model

GIONEE

HTC

Elife E7

Desire 616

Desire 816G

Desire 601

Desire 820q

Desire 816 G

Desire 820

Dimension (mm)

150.6 x 75 x 9.5

142 x 71.9 x 9.2

156.6 x78.74 x 7.99

134.5 x 66.7 x 9.88

157.7 x 78.7 x 7.7

156.6 x 78.7 x 8

157.7 x 78.7 x 7.7

Weight (grams)

150

150

158

130

155

165

155

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA

14/700

10/460

12.8/440

22/424

21/737

22/424

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.5

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.5

16million/5.5

16million/5.5

16million/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

4GB/64GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

16GB/128GB

8GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

16MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Tri Band/GSM+GSM Tri Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

84

-

80

82

-

82

82

20,000

12,300

16,800

16,900

20,500

22,200

23,200

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

APRIL 2015 I 85


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

HTC

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

LENOVO

One (E8)

Desire Eye

One (M8 Eye)

One M8

S660

Vibe X S960

Vibe z

146.4 x 70.7 x 9.9

151.7 x 73.8 x 8.5

146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4

146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4

137 x 68.8 x 10

144 x 74 x 6.9 mm

149 x 77 x 7.9

145

154

160

160

151

121

147

26.7/504

20/538

14/271

14/271

36/840

16/288

33/648

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16milliom/5.0

16milliom/5.2

16million/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/No

16GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

4.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

86

84

82

82

NR

84

84

31,000

35,000

36,000

39,000

12,700

20,999

23, 000

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

PARAMETERS Model

LENOVO

LG

Vibe z2 Pro

L90 D410

G Pro Lite Dual D686

G3 Beat

G3 Stylus

Nexus 5 16GB/32GB

G2 16GB/32GB

Dimension (mm)

156 x 81.3 x 7.7

131.6 x 66 x 9.7

150.2 x 76.9 x 9.48

137.7 x 69.6 x 10.3

149.3 x 75.9 x 10.2

137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6

138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9

Weight (grams)

179

NA

161

134

163

130

143

Talktime/Standby (hours)

45/948

NA

14.5/845

-/-

25/780

17/300

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/6.0

16million/4.7

16million/5.5

16million/5.0

16illion/5.5

16million/4.95

16million/5.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32GB/No

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/No

16GB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

16.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Sahred

Qual Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 86 I APRIL 2015

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Quad Band/No Yes/Yes/HSPA+ Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

88

NR

84

82

76

84

84

32,999

14,000

14,640

17,000

18,900

24,000/29s,000

25,000/27,000

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

LG

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

MICROMAX

G Pro 2

G3 16GB

G3 32GB

G Flex

Canvas Nitro

Canvas XL A119

Canvas 4Plus

157.9 x 81.9 x 8.3

146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9

146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9

160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9

141 x 72 x 9

165 x 84.2 x 10.4

142 x 71 x 7

172

149

149

177

152

180

116

8/270

19/565

19/565

15/720

10/320

9.4/209

7/205

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.9

16million/5.5

16million/5.5

16million/6.0

16million/5.0

16million/6.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/64GB

16GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

32GB/No

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

13MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

Shared

Shared

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

82

14,600

15,800

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

29,500

36,999

39,990

37,500

12,000

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MICROMAX

PARAMETERS Model

Canvas Selfie

NEW

SAMSUNG Galaxy Grand Neo

Galaxy Grand Prime

Dimension (mm)

-

143.7 x 77.1 x 9.6

144.8 x 72.1 x 8.6

Weight (grams)

-

163

156

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Galaxy S4 mini

Galaxy Grand 2

124.60 x 61.30 x 8.94 146.80 x 75.30 x 8.95 108

163

Galaxy E5

NEW

Galaxy E7

NEW

141.6 x 70.2 x 7.3

151.3 x 77.2 x 7.3

-

141

-/-

11/430

17/-

12/NA

17/370

-/-

18/-

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.7

16million/5.01

16million/5.0

16million/4.3

16million/5.25

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/64GB

8GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS v4.4

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

-/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

-

84

NR

NR

84

NR

NR

16,199

12,200

13,300

16,000

16,000

17,900

19,750

APRIL 2015 I 87


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

Galaxy A3

Galaxy S4

Galaxy Note 3 Neo

Galaxy S5 mini

Galaxy A5

Dimension (mm)

130.1 x 65.5 x 6.9

136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9

148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6

131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1

139.3 x 69.7 x 6.7

Weight (grams)

110.3

130

162.5

120

123

141

115

-

17/370

18/540

10/NA

-

17/-

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

32GB/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Galaxy A7

Galaxy Alpha

NEW

151 x 76.2 x 6.3

132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

12MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Operating System

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.3

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Android OS v4.4

Android OS, v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

86

NR

NR

NR

NR

82

19,000

19,000

21,900

25,000

25,500

30,200

31,500

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SONY

Galaxy S5

Galaxy Note 3

Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note Edge

Xperia M2

Xperia M2 Dual

Xpiria C3

Dimension (mm)

142 x 72.5 x 8.1

151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3

153.5 X 78.6 X 8.5

151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3

139.7 x 71.1 x 8.6

139.7 x 71.1 x 8.6

156.2 x 78.7 x 7.6

Weight (grams)

145

168

176

174

148

148

149.7

Talktime/Standby (hours)

21/390

20/490

20/-

18/-

13.5/588

11.2/580

11/1040

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.1

16million/5.7

16million/5.7

16million/5.6

16million/4.8

16million/4.8

16milion/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/128GB

32GB/64GB

32GB/128GB

32GB/128GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

16MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

16MP/Yes/Yes

16MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS, v4.4

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS, v4.3

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 88 I APRIL 2015

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

82

84

-

NR

NR

NR

33,500

34,500

53,000

64,100

13,000

14,500

19,000

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

MODELS

Rs 12,000 UPWARDS

SONY

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

XOLO

Xperia T3

Xperia Z 1 Compact

Xperia Z 1

Xperia Z 2

Xperia Z3 Compact

Xperia Z3

Hive 8X

150.7 x 77 x 7

127 x 64.9 x 9.5

144.4 x 73.9 x 8.5

146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2

127.3x64.9x8.6

146 x 72 x 7.3

140 x 70 x 7.9

148

137

169

163

129

152

-

12.7/639

10/670

14/880

15/690

12/880

14/890

11/352

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.3

16million/4.3

16million/5.0

16million/5.2

16million/4.3

16million/5.2

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

16BG/128GB

16GB/128GB

16GB/128GB

16GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA+

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

84

NR

84

82

NR

84

NR

18,000

26,000

30,000

35,500

40,700

44,000

12,500

CDMA

CDMA

MODELS

CDMA

XOLO

PARAMETERS

CDMA

X1000

Samsung B229

MTS Striker C121

MTS Striker C132

Micromax GC222

MTS Mtag 281

MTS Duet

Dimension (mm)

NA

108 x 44.38 x 14.20

106.8×44.7×13.15

115.5 × 47 × 13.5

110 x 45 x 10

104 x 57 x 13.3

NA

Weight (grams)

NA

72

65.5

68.2

80

Model

NA

9.5/336

6.5/720

33/360

17.9/360

4.5/170

10/220

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.7

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.44

65,536/1.77

262,144/1.8

262,144/2.8

242,144/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

450KB/No

450KB/No

1.29MB/No

59KB/4GB

170MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

No/No

No/No

No/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

No/No/No

No/No/No

VGS/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

500

500

300

Shared

Shared

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Quad Band/No

CDMA/No

CDMA/No

CDMA/No

CDMA/No

CDMA/No

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

No/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/EVDO Rev.0

Yes/Yes/No

Android OS v4.0

BREW

BREW

Brew 3.1.5

Brew 3.1

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v2.3

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Yes/Yes

No/No

No/No

No/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

82

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

13,000

1,100

1,500

1,650

2,289

3,199

5,199

APRIL 2015 I 89


MYGUIDE CDMA

CDMA

MODELS

CDMA

CDMA

PARAMETERS MTS Duet II

Blackberry 8530

Moto G

HTC Desire 516 C

BlackBerry Curve CDMA 9350

HTC Desire XC

HTC Desire 700 C

Dimension (mm)

116.36 x 61.7 x 12.7

109 x 60 x 13.9

129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6

140 x 72 x 9.7

109 x 60 x 11

119.5x 62.3 x 9.4

145.5 x 72 x 10.3

Weight (grams)

NA

105

143

160

99

107

150

Model

10/NA

4.5/252

24/NA

9/220

NA

NA/NA

8/338

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,14/4.0

65,536/NA

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

NA/2.44

16million/4.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

120MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

8GB/No

4GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/NA/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Sahred

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

CDMA/No

CDMA/N0

Quad Band/GSM+CDMA

CDMA/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/1xEV-DO

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Android OS v2.3

BlackBerry OS

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

BlackBerry OS7

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

76

NR

NR

84

5,648

12,500

13,490

12,000

17,250

18,190

18,300

Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

CDMA

TABLET

TABLET

MODELS

CDMA

CDMA

PARAMETERS

APPLE

Desire 816

HTC Desire 600 C

HTC One Dual SIM

HTC One (E8)

iPad Mini Wi-Fi

iPad Mini Wi-Fi with retina display

Dimension (mm)

156.6 x 78.7 x 7.9

134.8 x 67 x 9.26

137.4 x 68.2 x 10.4

146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4

200 x 134.7 x 7.2

200 x 134.7 x 7.5

200 x 134.7 x 7.2

Weight (grams)

165

130

143

160

308

331

312

21/737

11.4/539

27/500

14/271

NA/NA

NA/NA

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.5

16million/4.5

16.7million/4.7

16million/5.0

16 million/7.9

16 million/7.9

16 million/7.9

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/128GB

8GB/64GB

32GB/No

16GB/128GB

16,32,64GB/No

16,32,64/128GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

4.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

NA

NA

NA

Quad Band/CDMA

NA/No

NA/No

Quad Band/No

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 90 I APRIL 2015

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Quad Band/CDMA+GSM

iPad Mini W-Fii+3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

No/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

iOS 7

iOS 7

iOS 7

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

No/No

No/No

No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

84

NR

NR

82

86

NR

NR

24,000

24,000

36,000

39,000

21,900/27,900/33,900

28,900/35,900/42,900/49,900

29,900/35,900/41,900

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

MYMOBILE


MYGUIDE TABLET

TABLET

MODELS

TABLET

APPLE

PARAMETERS

KARBONN

LAVA

MICROMAX

iPad Mini Wi-Fi+3G with retina display

iPad Air Wi-Fi

iPad Air W-Fii+3G

A34 TA-FONE HD

A37 TA-FONE HD

Ivory Tab 702

Canvas P666

Dimension (mm)

200 x 134.7 x 7.5

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

197 x 124 x 12.3

197 x 124 x 12.3

194 X 120.5 X 10.8

194 X 120.5 X 10.8

Weight (grams)

331

652

662

335

335

360

311

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours) Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/NA

NA/NA

NA/NA

8/240

8/240

NA/NA

NA/NA

16 million/7.9

16 million/9.7

16 million/9.7

16million/7.0

262,144/7.0

16milliom/7.0

16milliom/8.0

16,32,64GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Inbuilt/Expandable memory 16,32,64/128GB/No Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0 MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

NA

NA

NA

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY

NA/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

No/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSPA

iOS 7

iOS 7

iOS 7

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Quad Band/No

No/No

No/No

No/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

7,200

8,500

8,700

10,500

Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Tri Band/GSM+GSM Tri Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

37,900/44,900/51,900/58,900

31,900/37,900/43,900 39,900/45,900/51,900

TABLET

TABLET

MODELS

TABLET

LENOVO

PARAMETERS Model

SAMSUNG

Yoga 8

Yoga Tab 2 8.0

Galaxy Tab 3 Neo

Galaxy Tab 4 231

Galaxy Tab 4 331

Galaxy Tab 4 531

Galaxy Tab S 705

Dimension (mm)

213.3 x 114.78 x 7.62

210 x 149 x 7

193.4 x 116.4 x 9.7

186.9 x 107.9 x 9

210 x 124 x 7.9

243.4 x 176.4 x 7.9

212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6

Weight (grams)

401

419

322

276

320

487

345.7

18/NA

18/324

20/NA

10/-

-/-

-/-

-/432

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/8.0

16million/8.0

16million/7.0

16million/7.0

16milliom/8.0

16million/10.1

16million/8.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

NA/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

8GB/128GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

3.15/MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

www.mymobile.co.in

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+/LTE

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

10,599

17,900

23,500

30,498

37,800

88 19,500

20,999

APRIL 2015 I 91


MYGUIDE LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

MODELS

TABLET

CDMA

PARAMETERS Galaxy Tab S 805

Galaxy Note Pro

Xperia Tablet Z

Racer Sport Classic

Meridiist GMT Stainless Steel/Black PVD

Racing Carbon

Link

Dimension (mm)

247.3 x 177.3 x 6.6

204 x 295.6 x 7.95

266 x 172 x 6.9

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

112 x 46 x 15.5

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

118 x 67 x 16.6

Weight (grams)

-

753

495

160

155

160

200

Model

-/432

54/NA

10/890

3/220

7/392

3/220

6.5/336

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/10.0

16million/12.2

16million/10.1

16 million/3.5

262,144/1.9

16million/3.5

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/64GB

32GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

8GB/32GB

NA/NA

8GB/32GB

256MB/8GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.1/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Shared

-

NA

1,000

NA

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

NA/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

No/No/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.4

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v2.3

NA

Android v2.3

Android OS v2.2

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

44,500

54,999

40,000

Starting 2,06,000+

Starting 2,85,000+

3,15,000

Starting 3,27s,000+

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

MODELS

LIFESTYLE

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Racer Prestige Gold Meridiist Steel & Gold

APPLE Ascent

Constellation Ayxta

Ascent Ti

Constellation Quest

Signature

Dimension (mm)

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

112 x 46 x 15.5

117 x 46 x 19

100 x 48 x 18

115.5 x 49 x 13.1

116 x 60.8 x 12.7

130 x 42 x 13

Weight (grams)

160

155

148

174

160

165 to 185

166

3/220

7/392

4.8/300

6/300

5/300

7.5/349

3.5/300

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.5

262,144/1.9

16million/2.0

16million/2.4

16million/2.0

16million/2.46

16million/2.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

NA/NA

8GB/32GB

100MB/8GB

4GB/No

8GB/32GB

4GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

NA

1,000

2,000

2,000

1,500

Shared

2,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/R99

Operating System

Android OS v2.3

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/No

Clamshell/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

4,55,000

Starting 5,45,000+

Starting 2,89,000+

Starting 3,47,000+

Starting 3,75,000+

Starting 3,90,000+

Starting 7,28,000+

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs. 92 I APRIL 2015

MYMOBILE



Software

SMARTAPP S News in Shorts Crisp news summaries

W

e might be getting more news on our devices than ever before but reading it all can be a bit of a problem because, hey, we are getting more news on our

devices than ever before. Which is why apps like News in Shorts are such a good idea for those who feel overwhelmed by all the news around them. The idea of the app is very simple – it just takes the major news items and shrinks them into what it calls crisp summaries spanning about sixty words. It is very simple and incredibly convenient for those who do not want to wade through oceans of text. You can flick through different stories, bookmark them and share them over mail or different social networks. Each news item is basically shrunk into an image and a 60 word summary. No, we could not see any way of customising the subjects or categories of news items, but given the fact that each item is so short, we do not see this being a

Rating



major issue. A very good app for those who want to catch up with the latest in a hurry. Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store (Free)

The Disney Side Bringing out your Disney side

I

Rating



f Fancy yourself as a Disney film character? Well, the Disney Side app allows you to indulge the Disney side of yourself by letting you impose your face on

a Disney character. That might not sound too special as such things have been attempted before but what makes the Disney Side app distinctly different is just how well the concept has been implemented. The number of characters is limited, but the app allows you to either access the camera directly from within the app or to pick a picture and then fit it into the frame, which is basically the outline of the character’s face. The trick is to place the eyes and mouth of the subject at the appropriate place in the shot and then let the app take over. We ended up with excellent likenesses to members from Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen, the Star Wars universe and some Disney villains, including Captain Hook and Jaffar, complete with blinking eyes. Yes, we wish there were more character options, but even in its current version, this is a terrific app for Disney fans. Available from: iTunes

App Store (Free)

94 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


Hop Email Messenger Mail in chat mode

T

here are a number of e-mail clients and apps out there, but most of them end up doing pretty much the same thing, with a few interface touches

here and there. What makes the Hop Email Messenger

Software

SMARTAPP S

stand out is its attempt to blend the best of e-mail and chat. Unlike other e-mail apps, it does not worry about subjects, but simply divides all your email into active conversations and everything else. For in this section, which displays mails you send and receive from people with whom you communicate most often, all your mail is displayed just as it would be in a chat or messaging client – the app just focuses on showing you the sender and the first few lines of the mail, rather than the subject, giving a very messenger like feel. You can make groups, sketch, take photos and do a whole lot more right from within the app, which is actually what Hop is all about. Rating



Making mail more conversational and messenger like. Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store (Free) team@mymobile.co.in

Selfiegram All about selfies

I

Rating



f Selfies are the rage these days so it is hardly surprising that we are seeing a number of apps that are dedicated to them. And one of the most

interesting of them is Selfiegram, which comes from the developers who gave us apps like Instaplace, Instaweather and Instafood. The app is incredibly simple to use – just launch it and well, take a selfie. That done, you can add a number of effects to it or even multiply it into grids of different sizes. You can compress several shots into one compact collage, jazz it up with effects and of course, share it with your friends and followers on differen social networks in a matter of seconds. Yes, we have seen apps that do more, but none quite do it with the sheer simplicity that Selfiegram does it. You can go from taking the snap to sharing it literally in a matter of seconds and the special effects and filters are also a more funky collection than one gets in ‘proper’ image editing apps. The result? An app that we think is a must for all selfie lovers. Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store (Free)

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 95


First Look

justin

Lenovo A7000 A sound investment

A

fter the success of the Lenovo A6000, Lenovo has announced its successor, the A7000. The device builds on the core

strengths of the A6000 and comes with a larger 5.5 inch HD display powered by a MediaTek True8Core processor with support for 4G LTE, 2 GB RAM and 8 GB storage (expandable using a memory card). It also has a 8.0-megapixel rear camera and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera. But what makes it really special is its sound - Lenovo claims that it is the world’s first smartphone to feature Dolby Atmos technology, which makes sounds more vivid and clear. It will run on Android Lollipop 5.0 and comes with a large 2,900mAh battery module. Other features include Dual-SIM, 3G and 4G LTE connectivity in addition to GPS, Bluetooth v4.0 and Wi-Fi support. Quite a proposition, it is expected to arrive in the market in April at a surprisingly low price. After all, it is the successor of the most affordable 4G smartphone in the country. n

Xiaomi Mi Pad Staggering specs, stunning price

X

iaomi surprised everyone when it announced the Mi Pad in the Indian market at the launch of the

Redmi 2. The tablet comes with a 7.9 inch IPS display with a staggering 2048 x 1536 resolution. A mere 8.9 mm thin, it is powered by a 2.2 GHz Quad-core Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, has 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage (expandable via a memory card up to 128 GB) and runs on Android KitKat 4.4 OS, with Xiaomi’s MIUI interface which has been tweaked for tablets. The tablet which comes with staggeringly high benchmark scores has an 8.0 megapixel rear camera and a 5.0 megapixel front facing camera. It houses a 6,700 mAh Li-Ion Polymer battery and connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and WLAN. We left the best for last - you can get all this for just Rs. 12,999. And it is not being sold through the flash sale model but will be available on open sale on Flipkart from March 24. n

96 | april 2015

MYMOBILE


InFocus M2 Fighting on price

U

S based InFocus has launched its smartphone M2 and has surprised everyone with its price.

Manufactured by Foxconn, the world’s largest original

FirstLook

JustIn

equipment mobile phone manufacturer, the device come with very good build quality and has a ceramic matte finish. It runs on Android KitKat 4.4 and has dual 8.0-megapixel cameras (one on the front and another on the back) along with dual flash with front diffused LED for brighter selfies and super bright LED back flash for other photos. The smartphone is powered by 1.3 GHz quad core processor, comes with 1 GB RAM and has a 4.2 inch display with 1280 x 768 resolution. Storage stands at 8 GB and can be expanded, while battery stands at 2,010 mAh. The price? A mere Rs. 4,999. Now that makes it one of the most affordable smartphones around. n

Samsung Galaxy E7 Samsung turns on the style

S

amsung has launched its E series of devices to meet the

expanded using a memory card. And it comes with the typical

challenge posed by new brands that are offering high specced

metallic accents that are part of Samsung’s new design philosophy,

devices at relatively affordable prices. And the most powerful of

as well, as a 2,950 mAh battery. It is available in the market at

the E series so far is the E7, which comes with a 5.5 inch Super

Rs. 23,000. n

AMOLED 720p display, and is powered by a quad core processor

team@mymobile.co.in

backed up by 2 GB of RAM. It comes with a hybrid Dual-SIM that allows the second SIM slot to be used as a microSD card slot. The phone has 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 5-megapixel front camera which can be operated by gestures or by voice commands. Storage stands at 16 GB and can be

www.mymobile.co.in

april 2015 | 97


Expert Speaks

Vantage Point

The Online vs Offline Retail Battle T he retail industry is undergoing a dramatic shift with alternate channels making their presence felt. This

has a marked influence in the Telecom and IT sector,

with consumers being spoilt for choices by all these alternate channels on price and availability. Alternate channels constitute of e-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart, and TV retailers like Naaptol and Star CJ.

India are venturing into this sector too.

2. Stores like Flipkart and Snapdeal work on the marketplace model i.e. they do not keep inventories with themselves, and sell products to consumers from various vendors registered on their website. This gives them an edge in pricing.

As e-commerce volumes increase, conventional retailers are

3. Physically exploring thousands of products is difficult, but

getting concerned about their shrinking market. For an average

it is feasible online. Online stores provides a huge range of

consumer nothing but sophistication and price matters and if

choices from various brands, manufacturers, colors, sizes

the Internet can provide them, then they will spare no thought in

to product types.

breaking their long time loyalty with the neighborhood retailer.

Advantage, alternate channels

Challenges for alternate channels 1. Indians have traditionally brought products after

1. Until 2010, there were around 200-plus e-commerce

experiencing the product with a live demo or from word

websites in India. Today the number has gone

of mouth. This is one gap that online stores can never fill.

beyond a few thousand, thanks to exponential

Call it an age-old practice or skepticism, consumers like to

increase in number of Internet users and they are increasing every day. Entrepreneurs across

physically inspect a product before spending money. 2. Products bought online take their own time to reach you. So if you are hungry or if you have lost your phone you will certainly not go online, because you need them instantly. However fast logistics get, websites will never be able to compete with traditional retail stores in this regard. 3. People are ready to spare energy (to visit store) and spend extra cash for a smiling face and a pleasant experience, something which a computer algorithm cannot provide. Indians like a salesperson explaining details about the product. Many times, friends and family are also involved in the decision making process of buying. Some might argue that there will be co-existence of alternate and conventional channels in the future but I think it is plain hogwash – one of them has to struggle in the future. Traditional retail stores seem to be a likable choice as per the current scenario. As for the consumers, they can keep their fingers crossed and take advantage of the competition. n Rishi Mehta COO – Krish Telecommerce Inc. Sujoy Chourasia CMO – Krish Telecommerce Inc. (Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the stance of the magazine)

98 | april 2015

MYMOBILE



RNI REG NO./DELENG/2005/15033 DL (ND) - 11/6100/2015-16-17 (Posting Date 19-20 of every month) Publishing Date- 15-03-15


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