Microsoft has released the Lumia 535 at a rather critical juncture, one that could determine if Windows Phone adoption in the affordable smartphone space continues at a good speed. And Micromax’s new Canvas Tab (P666) comes across as a well-designed tablet. The bigger change is on the specification sheet—this Android tablet is powered by an Intel processor, and there aren’t many such devices.
Microsoft Lumia 535
Rs.9,199
The 5-inch in-plane switching (IPS) panel (960x540 pixels) is now on a par with similarly priced Android options. The text looks better than it did on the Lumia 530’s 4-inch TFT screen. Sunlight visibility is still limited by the reflective layer over the screen.
The Skype app is an important part of Windows Phone, which necessitates the need for a front camera. The 5-megapixel (MP) front camera is good for selfies and does well to manage brightness levels during video calls. The 5 MP primary camera at the back takes acceptable pictures, but post-image processing adds a generous amount of sharpness.
The Windows, return and search keys have been integrated into the on-screen user interface (UI), but don’t remain constantly pinned across all apps. Open the Photos app, for example, and you need to swipe up on the options bar at the bottom of the screen to see the keys.
The 535 has the same processor as the 530—quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (1.2 GHz). The upgrade to 1 GB of RAM (530 has 512 MB) is a positive change. Some of the apps are a bit inconsistent—for example, Skype opens instantly, but the camera app takes its time to save an image. Updates should solve this. The battery lasts a day on a single charge, which is quite acceptable.
If you are looking to buy an affordable smartphone, and aren’t limiting your options to Android, do consider the Lumia 535. The highlights—consistent performance and a simple interface.
Micromax Canvas Tab (P666)
Rs.10,999
The sharp design immediately catches attention. The side spines are flat and the back panel looks similar to Sony’s Xperia Z smartphones. The Android keys are integrated in the UI, cleaning up the bezel around the screen. The chrome on the right- and left-side spine is “bolted on”, for a more industrial look.
The 8-inch IPS screen (1,280x800 pixels) is impressive. Not many affordable tablets can boast of such a good screen. There is no flicker during transition when the auto brightness feature manages backlight levels. The deep black colour has a positive effect on other colours. The only issue is with the scaling—the text size is a tad too small by default. In the display settings, set this to maximum for improved comfort. Colour richness and sharpness are good for watching videos, but we noticed slight blurring at times during fast-moving scenes.
The Intel Atom Z2520 dual-core processor clocks at 1.2 GHz, and is paired with 1 GB of RAM. We also tested a similar configuration in the Asus Zenfone 4 smartphone. This power package does well, without actually crossing into the realm of a true multitasker. The apps open quickly, and the games don’t stutter. But you cannot leave a lot of apps open without performance taking a hit. A fully charged battery is good for 6 hours of continuous video-watching, which is quite impressive.
The Canvas Tab P666 will appeal to someone who wants an affordable tablet with 3G connectivity on the move (the SIM-card slot allows phone calls too). The good looks are a bonus.
