Affordable Dual Camera System: Micromax Evok Dual Note

All the dual camera smartphones currently available are in premium range, at least in India. Micromax has now released a sub 10K INR device - Evok Dual Note - that makes it for the first affordable dual camera system. The phone will be available exclusively on Flipkart from 22nd August.

Source: http://www.micromaxinfo.com/mobile-phones/smartphones/evok-mobiles/evok-dual-note

Micromax does design

Micomax has announced Canvas Sliver 5 (http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/mobile-tabs/in-slim-micromax-canvas-sliver-5s-fat-price-could-be-a-silver-lining/), claimed to be "lightest and slimmest smartphone". Pretty interesting, although pure spec to price may be slightly skewed towards the later.

Micromax Canvas Spark : the new defining of the premium affordable

Micromax today launched the Canvas Spark, to be exclusively available on Snapdeal via flash sales and will be priced at sweet INR 4999/- . If the specs are anything to go by (see: http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/micromax-canvas-spark-with-android-50-lollipop-launched-at-rs-4999-683997) , this is the new definition of premium affordable.

There is already a review of the device via GadgetsToUse

What is the best thing I like about phone apart from the specs? It supports Konkani language !!  :) :)

Micromax Joy: about the cheapest phone in India?

Micromax just launched Joy X1800 and X1850, two phones below 800 INR, that could well be the cheapest phones in India (see http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/tech/in-a-first-micromax-unveils-pouch-packaging-launches-joy-priced-at-rs-699/39759/).

Of these X1800 is the cheaper at 699 INR. The most interesting aspect is probably not the price, it is the packaging: you get the phones in a pouch! This is probably the first time a phone is available in a pouch.

The X1800 is a standard phone that has all the basic features including dual GSM SIM, SD card support, FM radio, a flash and even a very low quality 320px (below VGA!) camera. The X1800 comes with a a 700 mAh battery.

Micromax Yureka : the Cynogenmod premium affordable

There has been a bit of drama going on with Cynogenmod, Micromax and One Plus One. What ever the end results may be, but today Micromax has launched Yureaka, to be elusively sold via Amazon India (see http://www.amazon.in/b/ref=amb_link_185154967_2?ie=UTF8&node=5606984031&pf_rd_m=A1VBAL9TL5WCBF&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0CESP2691CJ5EY08Z9M1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=570214267&pf_rd_i=1320006031), from second week of January, 2015.

The specs are pretty good (is a 64-bit octa core processor, 13MP rear - 5MP front camera, 4G dual SIM, 2GB RAM, 16 GB internal - expandable with up to 32GB, 2500 mAh battery, 5.5" 720p IPS display with corning gorilla glass 3 protection), and I think this device is going to be a hit. Two reasons:
1. Cynogenmod: very customizable, and ability to root the device
2. Sold elusively on Amazon with a very attractive price tag of 8999/- 

Micromax WiFi dongle review : is "Made in India" stuff, and is very good

The Micromax WiFi dongle is one of the first I have seen to sport a 'Made in India' tag from an Indian OEM. This is quite interesting, and opens up a whole new set of opportunities for manufacturing in India. There is nothing extraordinary about the device, nor is it extra easy to setup - suffice to say that it just works - but the quality good, well thought of and well made product. The added free headphones are like extra cheese toppings, reasonably good, not extra ordinary.

I have used the WiFi dongle with a number of service providers including BSNL, Vodafone and Idea and all of these work without a hitch. The WiFi dongle can either be used with a laptop or can be used with any USB power adapter (minimum 500 mAh output capacity). I also tested it with a car charger - in side a car - and is a perfect solution for on the move WiFi hotspot, with least taxing of your smartphone battery.

The product is available at Snapdeal (see: http://www.snapdeal.com/product/micromax-mmx-219w3g-data-card/1739902074#bcrumbSearch:micromax%20wifi%20dongle)

Here are some shots of the product:

 

Looking for Moto E alternatives? Here are some.

With Moto E constantly getting out of stock on Flipkart, and you have an urgent need to get one of the affordable smartphones, what other options are available.

Lava Iris 406 Q

Lava Iris is almost as good in terms of specs as the Moto E (except that there is no Corning Gorilla Glass protection). Lava Iris 406Q also has slightly better camera than Moto E, along with a front facing camera for video calls, and low quality selfies.

With a price almost same as Moto E on Flipkart, you may get it at a lower price from open market. With Moto E selling well, it may happen that Lava prices drop on Flipkart, so keep a price watch.



Micromax Unite 2

Micromax Unite 2 is superior to Moto E in all respects except the software update guarantee provided by Moto E. Though launched at the same price at Moto E, it appears to be selling at a higher price on Flipkart. You should be able to easily get this in open market. An inquiry at a local mall store however revealed that the unit is yet to come, but should be available by the end of June 1st week.



Micromax Canvas A105

This one is a new entrant. Micromax seems to be in a hurry to beat Moto E. This one is priced same as Moto E. But falls under the phablet category and comes with 512 MB rather than Moto E. The phone is currently available online on Homeshop18 (http://www.homeshop18.com/micromax-canvas-5inch-12-7cms-3g-quad-core-kitkat-a105/mobiles/mobile-phones/product:31837039/cid:3027/). Availability in local store is unknown currently. This is a good option, if you actually want a bigger screen, but be warned about the limited RAM, although Android KitKat is optimized to run smoothly on the low memory devices.

That is it. If you are ready to wait for Moto E, however, it is still the best option.
Keep a look at the Flipkart stock, and a happy weekend!

Micromax Canvas Engage A091 : another affordable Android

I think Micromax is trying hard to take out your attention form Moto E. And I consider this a good sign. Reports have emerged (see: http://www.gizbot.com/mobile/micromax-canvas-engage-a091-android-kitkat-os-launch-rs-6000-news-017349.html) that Micromax is about to release Canvas Engage A091 (did Micromax learn to name there products like Microsoft lately?!). Another Android phone, with the latest OS. The specs though look like they might be just enough to convince some people to use this over Moto E. Again cannot say much about the usability as a day-to-day phone. I am still using Moto E (well trying to), with the apps that I regularly use on my primary phone (iOS). Will be reporting soon on that front.

Source: Gizbot

Micromax Unite : I want to compete with Moto E

And so it starts. ET reports (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/micromax-takes-on-moto-e-with-unite-2-prices-it-at-rs-6999/articleshow/35485394.cms) that Micromax is coming up with Unite 2, that is priced exactly at Moto E price, but far surpasses the spec sheet. Biggest question is if the performance is on par with what is offered by Moto E: un-compromised smartphone experience. And more importantly are there guarantees of software update from Micromax. But good to see that Moto E has set a standard, against which every thing else will be bench marked in the premium affordable category.