Micromax Canvas A110 (INR 9,999)

After the Canvas A100, Micromax has released another Android smartphone for the budget-conscious – the Canvas 2 A110, with the same 5-inch screen but a more powerful dual-core processor at the same price. Although the design seems to be heavily inspired by the Galaxy Nexus and the iconic S3, some critics think it’s not very handy and quite low-quality-looking. With a mere 854 x 480 FWVGA screen, bad viewing angles and banding , there’s not many points in the video quality segment either. Also, an unsatisfactory 8 MP camera that’s about as good as a 5 MP one. But for beginners looking to lay their hands on an affordable smartphone with features, this device is just right, with a good 2000 mAH battery. Coming to the GUI, which, although is Android 4.0 and dual-core CPU enhanced with 512 MB RAM, is not very user- friendly. And Micromax has opted to fit this device with an MT6577 SoC from MediaTek, which gives it enough power to run 720p and 1080p HD videos, but is inferior in performance to Qualcomm and other systems-on-chip. Some notable features of this phone include the ability to seamlessly operate two SIMs and scheduled power-off at any time. In terms of connectivity, this phablet comes with 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and USB.

Micromax Canvas A110 is available on Croma for Rs.9999

iBall Andi 5c (INR 12,490)

This is another smartphone to have ripped off a Samsung design; in fact, the iBall Andi 5c closely resembles the Galaxy Note, but for the brand name and other differences in the rear panel. Even the form factor is a bit clunky because of the large size, heavy build and matte-finished rear panel. Another giveaway is the smaller 5.0-inch IPS display and the markedly different GUI. But this is a better phablet than its Indian rivals in terms of features – a 1.3 MP front and 5.0 MP rear camera with LED flash, single core 1GHz Cortex A9 processor and the same 512MB of RAM. There’s only 2GB free (out of 4 GB) for the user to store data, which can be expanded via a hot- swappable microSD card up to 32 GB. These features almost match the iBall Andi 4d, which only has a smaller display size. 720p videos run almost flawlessly, but 1080p videos fail, with a low refresh rate. And the resolution is slightly disappointing – 480×800 for a 5-inch IPS. But, as in its competitors, the 2300 mAH battery is useful and dual SIMs offer network versatility.

iBall Andi 5c is available on eBay for Rs.12269

Spice Stellar Horizon Mi-500 (INR 12,499)

A struggling brand, even among Indian rivals, Spice has shown great ambition in competing with other established phablet brands to showcase the glamorous Stellar Horizon with its slimmer design, leather-like rear panel and other aesthetic advantages over its competitors. Although it lags in picture quality due to the bad contrast ratio in spite of having a 480×800 5-inch display, and a below-par 5MP camera, this device shows promise. Dual SIMs (master and slave SIMs for better control), 32GB expandable memory and good battery (2400mAh) granted, there was considerable lag in the GUI, in spite of a 1Ghz dual core processor. Bringing back Symbian elements, this phone has a few tweaks to customize alerts, choose color modes and adjust font sizes, bringing a slightly higher level of customization. Audio and video are decent, with minor AVI and HD problems, but the FM Radio and Sound Recorder put out only static, especially when moving. Connectivity is relatively better, with 3G and options for sharing the connection as a Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth and the apps provided are interesting.

Spice Stellar Horizon Mi-500 is available on Saholic for Rs.12499

Zync Z5 Cloud (INR 8,990)

Aggressively priced and apparently raring to join the gold rush, the Zync Z5 Cloud is a true-blue budget phablet aimed at picky and particular Indian buyers, with the same 5-inch display (although a yesteryear version TFT LCD with 480×800 resolution) and a likeness to the Galaxy Note in the matte-textured rear panel. An advantage is that it weighs a quarter less and is well-built, with a 1Ghz single-core CPU, 512 RAM and stock Android 4.0. It’s display is mediocre and susceptible to glare, especially under sunlight. Video playback is restricted only to AVI, firmly shutting the door on HD video formats such as 1080p or 720p mp4 and mkv. Similarly, the
audio quality is poor, while browsing the net or texting is cumbersome. The true saving grace is the 2500 mAH battery, with exceptional performance and like other emerging Indian phablets, the dual SIM juggling.

Zync Z5 Cloud is available on Flipkart for Rs.8990

Intex Aqua 5.0 (INR 9,690)

Intex has announced its new Aqua 5.0, the first Intex phone to bear a dual core 1 GHz ARM architecture based mobile processor, which belches out “snappy” navigation, but it is not expected to handle multiple running programs/apps smoothly. Featuring the 5 inch display with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution, it has Android 4.0 with updates. The display, however is reflective and troublesome under sunlight. The form factor is refreshingly novel, with a squarish front panel and a textured back cover for good grip. The device supports SIM modules in dual-SIM (3G WCDMA+2G GSM/GPRS/EDGE) configuration. Intex has packed a 512 MB RAM and offers only 4 GB on-board memory, bundled with a 4 GB microSD card pre-loaded with games. Audio and video performance is average. A rear 5 megapixel camera with LED flash to capture HD quality video and the front facing 1.3 megapixel camera for Video calling. A 2000 mAh battery might not be good enough to make this dual SIM phone last long while it is still better than many Android devices out there.

Intex Aqua 5.0 is available on Infibeam for Rs.9690

Karbonn A30 (INR 11,500)

The Karbonn TA-FONE A30 possesses the biggest screen in its segment, a 5.9-inch WVGA display (480 x 800 pixels) and an overall heavier build weighing 280g. This monster is powered by a 1GHz dual core Cortex A9 processor coupled with 512MB of RAM. The Karbonn A30 is fitted with an 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 1.3 megapixel front camera which can be used for video-calling. The Karbonn A30 offers connectivity options like 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS and 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded upto 32GB using a micro-SD card. The A30 houses a 2,500 mAh battery which should last a full day of usage, and dual SIMs. But this phablet offers ample incentive to buyers with the bigger screen, extra back cover and a leather case, provided in the box, and hopes to overturn other leading phablets in its category.

Karbonn A30 is available on Saholic for Rs.11500

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