Smartphones and phablets are available at similar prices—the only difference is the screen size. Which one would you choose? And what about audio products? There is a growing market for rugged portable speakers with built-in batteries.
Micromax Canvas 4+
Rs.16,999
The 5-inch AMOLED screen (1,280x720 pixels) is bright, and the colours look vibrant. The text isn’t crisp, but it’s readable. The Quick Look interface is similar to HTC’s BlinkFeed—it offers social media and news updates at a glance.
It is powered by a MediaTek octa-core processor (1.7 GHz), with just 1 GB of RAM. Do not get carried away by the number of cores though, because performance hits a virtual ceiling soon enough. This phone only works well for basic users who don’t run too many apps at the same time.
The 13-megapixel camera takes acceptable shots in adequate light. The detailing is okay, and processing of the clicked image takes care of noise around the edges of the frame. This camera doesn’t capture enough detail in low light to be useful.
The battery life is quite good, and can easily get through a day with about 20% charge remaining.
Consider the Canvas 4+ for the premium design, lively screen and good battery life—but not if you need a multitasking powerhouse.
Gionee GPad G5
Rs.15,799
The 5.5-inch screen (1,280x720 pixels) is an in-plane switching (IPS) panel. The colour tones seem subdued compared to other IPS phone screens. The panel has the sharpness needed to make Web-page reading comfortable. The black colours aren’t deep enough, which affects the video-viewing experience slightly. The screen has Asahi Glass’ Dragontrail protective layer. Dragontrail is similar to Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
The performance is acceptable, with the Mediatek hexa-core processor paired with 1 GB of RAM doing enough to handle up to five background apps. This phablet isn’t blazing fast, but there is a comfortable smoothness as you switch between apps.
Android 4.4.2 is preloaded on the GPad G5. The custom interface itself is quite minimalistic, and doesn’t negatively affect performance. The icons are a tad too big though, and need resizing.
The 2,400 mAh battery does a decent job of powering such a big screen, and lasts a day on a single charge.
The Gionee GPad G5 should appeal to those who want the big-screen smartphone experience, but aren’t really power users.
Creative Muvo Mini
Rs.4,200
There are two 1.3-inch audio drivers, and one bass radiator. On paper, this seems powerful. In the real world, however, certain aspects are better than others. The Mini can get quite loud (80% is the relative maximum), and the clarity levels at higher volumes are quite good. However, bass isn’t the most powerful, and sounds tight and doctored. If your music listening is restricted to pop and remixes, this speaker does well. For rock music, the volume ceiling is around 70%, and the elements are well distinguished. Trance music lovers, however, will find the Mini’s sound too flat. During testing, we noticed that this speaker has enough power to fill a medium-sized room.
Bluetooth pairing is simple, and it works with almost every smartphone and tablet. The built-in microphone allows you to make and receive calls. It also has the near-field communication option. The built-in battery lasts 7-10 hours, depending on playback volume.
If you are in the market for a compact and portable Bluetooth speaker (it weighs 285g), the Muvo Mini is a good option.
