Category: Unboxing and Hands On

Nexus 5X Review – The Lower Limit

Nexus devices are traditionally examples of what Google wants from companies in the year to come. They are devices designed to run on the latest versions of Android keeping the performance at its best, being a design and performance benchmark of sorts that run pure Android. However this year google seems to have changed its philosophy and has launched two new Nexus devices. So is the cheaper Nexus 5X actually up to standards with what Google usually puts out, or is it Google’s shadow attempt at keeping the mid-tier market happy?

Build Quality and Design

The Nexus 5X made by LG for Google appears to have a little too much plastic, and is extremely light -so much so that it does not feel premium at all. Made entirely of plastic, barring the display, the device is rather flimsy looking. However, it does not feel like it will break easily, the plastic is rigid, but in no way feels anything close to the feel on the Nexus 6 or the Nexus 5 for that matter. No mention of IP ratings and you get an outdated Gorilla Glass 3 with a simple Oleophobic coating.

The design is not winning any points for now, the black Nexus 5X is fairly boring with a bump on the back for the camera. The back panel is extremely fingerprint and smudge-friendly and gets stained easily. Laying on a table the Nexus 5X is nothing out of the ordinary, and the complete use of plastic kills not only the aesthetic but a lot of the premium feel at the price bracket. Devices like the Moto X and Samsung A8 offer a lot more design and visual appeal. Push a little further in your budget and you get the Samsung Galaxy S6, one of the “prettiest” phones of 2015.

The great thing about the Nexus 5X is that, unlike the Nexus 6, it is very lightweight at only 136g grams and can easily used with one average sized hand.

Hardware

The hardware on the Nexus 5X seems to be a compromise, with Google sticking to Snapdragon 808 and 2 GB of RAM, the only major improvements are the cameras which now stand at 12.3 MP and 5 MP.

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990

Camera

The new Nexus 5X and 6P have similar cameras, and they have to be the best Nexus cameras yet. While low light performance is questionable, the cameras do exceedingly well in good lighting. Good accurate colours, ample amounts of contrast and dynamic range are some the highlights of the cameras.

The main camera captures images just under the full resolution of 12.3 MP at 12.2 MP and UHD video. The front camera comes up with 5 MP pictures and 1920 x 1080p video. While the images are crisp and great to look at, the camera app does slow down once in a while and does not give the experience that is expected from Nexus devices. The rear camera gets laser assisted (IR sensor) auto focus, mostly seen on LG flagship phones, and works pretty efficiently in capturing focus points.

Video quality is great at 4k, but due to the lack of IS, the video tends to be shaky when shot by shaky hands. Sample below.

Android Marshmallow and Experience

The new Nexus 5X, just as each Nexus before it, comes with the latest version of Android, which in this case is Android 6.0 Marshmallow. With this new update you get improved UI features like an App search bar, a new Clock and lock screen messages.

You also get performance upgrades, a brand new RAM manager, standard support for fingerprint scanners and USB type C ports, and hence the new Nexus phones have those both.

Software updates like ‘Now on Tap’ allow you to look at Google Now throughout the UI. Apart from the usual “Ok Google” command, a long-press on the Home button makes the Google Now assistant scan whatever’s on the screen to find extra info online that might be helpful.

Privacy is now been updated and apps can no longer bypass this. A new security feature asks for passwords during boot, and not after booting to prevent unintentional battery drain if a non-owner tries to start the phone.

The new Doze feature is incredible at recognising when the phone is idle to put it in a rested state. This considerably improves battery performance on the Nexus 5X.

Performance and Battery

The Google Nexus 5X is losing out on one big thing and that is performance. Each year Nexus phones stand out as leaders defining performance standards for companies, however, this year the case is different. The higher of the two Nexus devices launched this year, the Nexus 6P, is more of a performance benchmark. The 5X is mostly being sold to cater to those who basically don’t like the idea of an expensive Nexus phone, as was seen last year with the Nexus 6.

The Nexus 5X runs dated and weak Snapdragon 808 chipset because, most manufacturers have preferred the 808 over the 810 pertaining its heat issues. The 808 scores considerably less on benchmarks achieving 48020 on Antutu which falls roughly below last year’s Note 4 by Samsung. So the Nexus 5X is not a flagship benchmark.

Battery life is assisted by the Doze feature and gives you extended use, especially if you have a long screen-off time.

The Nexus 5X will easily last a day for the average user going into the second day before requiring a charge. With a talk time of around 6 hours, we are not complaining.

Usage	LG Nexus 5X
Talk Time	5.5 – 6 hours
Internet on LTE	4 hours
Internet on Wi-Fi	5 hours
Gaming and Video	5 hours
Standby	6- 7 days

Conclusion

The Nexus 5X is available in India for a price of Rs 29,990 (at the time of review) for the 16 GB variant which is about Rs. 4,000 more than the US$ 379 price. At this price it lacks the essence of a Nexus phone. Its built in plastic lacks a QHD display and comes with 2 GB of RAM, the best advantage of the Nexus remains the quick updates. For a better hardware experience the Moto X Style offer better value for money, at the same price and has a QHD display 3 GB of RAM and better cameras, fast turbo charging and dual sim capabilities. More over you get expandability up to 128 GB. The Moto X style offers a near-Nexus Android experience and will soon get marshmallow.

You should consider one of the many other options instead of the Nexus 5X this year. For LG and Google the intent is wonderful and the phone brings back the brilliance of the Nexus 5, however the Nexus 6P is more Nexus than the Nexus 5X.

November 7, 2015

Micromax Canvas 5 Hands On Review : Unboxing Video

Micromax Canvas is a name that popularised Micromax with the new market of India. The latest Canvas from the company is the Canvas 5 and comes at a time where Micromax needs it the most.

The device is a big improvement from the build quality standards of the company and has a lot to offer for a consumer at a price of Rs. 11999. The phone goes on sale today online and offline.

The handset has decent specifications, however only to be burrowed by the likes of its own YU Yureka Plus. The new Canvas has a fantastic 2.5 D curved glass that not only looks good and feels great to use, the aesthetic makes the device look a lot more premium.

The handset also features Gorilla Glass 3 on the front glass and a front facing flash. Running everything is a MT6753 chip with eight cores at 1.3 GHz. Owners will get 3 GB of RAM which comes in real handy especially if you do a lot of gaming. The phone has an fast and fluid UI and runs Android 5.1 with sober customizations from Micromax not affecting usability a lot.

The handset has a metal frame that adds rigidity and polish along with rounded edges and a matte finish that feels excellent. The back panel is plastic and has a faux leather finish that is soft to touch and easy to grip onto.

The camera app is appreciated with lots of modes and pro features like those found on flagship Samsung Galaxy phones. You also get apps to re touch images and mostly do makeup etc.

The phone scored over 32000 on benchmarks and has been found to be 95% better than devices in the range. Gaming experience on the handset is good and feels like the 3 GB of RAM helps in leveraging that. We managed to play his end games on the handset with graphs turned to max without issues.

November 4, 2015
Unboxing and Hands On : Samsung Galaxy On 5 and Galaxy On 7

Samsung has today launched two new handsets the On5 and the On7 in their ongoing efforts to take over the budget market. The handsets are not a lot different from their previous edition J series phones and appear to be identical in terms of design to last year’s design lineage for Samsung.

The Samsung Galaxy On5

The new Galaxy On5 is priced at Rs 7999 and is a younger sibling to the On7. While both handsets appear to be identical, there are a few major differences.

The On5 has a Exynos heart with 1.3 GHz on the clock, along with 1.5 GB of RAM. The display has a resolution of 1280x720px on the 5 inch glass. The main camera is 8 MP and the front camera is a 5 MP both with f2.2 lenses and 1920 x 1080p video capture.

The back has a soft touch plastic that mimics leather in look. The phone is capable of taking two 4G enabled sim cards along with expandability of upto 128 GB. The inbuilt storage on the phone is 8GB.

Samsung Galaxy On5

The UI is snappy and quick and not much more than you can expect from an Rs. 8000 phone. The camera app is also custom Samsung and offers many of the new app features, including PRO mode and quick launch.

The Samsung Galaxy On7

The On7 on the other hand has a larger 5.5 inch display albeit the same resolution at 1280 x 720p.

The chipset is completely different as the On 7 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 which is clocked at 1.2 GHz on 4 cores. 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage complete in internals. A 3000 mAh battery powers the On 7 vs the 2600 mAh on the On 5.

The camera on the back gets a bump up to 13 MP ( actually 12.8 MP) along with a slightly improved f2.1 lens. The front captures 5 MP stills and both cameras capture 1080p video.

The On 5 and On 7 are identical in design and looks and are completely made from plastic parts. The extensive use of plastic makes them lightweight, however, cheapish looking.

With Micromax set to launch the next canvas tomorrow, waiting might be a good decision.

November 3, 2015

Nexus 5X: Unboxing and Hands On

As you all know, Google’s Nexus 5X was launched in India on October 13, 2015. We managed to get our hands on the 5X and did a quick unboxing and setup of the device.

It is further packed with a 2 GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset and OS Android Marshmallow 6.0. On the camera front, the device comes equipped with a 12.3 MP rear camera and a 5 MP selfie camera. The smartphone is capable of capturing 4K and slow-motion videos, making this phone the most advanced multimedia Nexus device to date.

The Nexus 5X is priced at Rs, 31,990 for the 16 GB variant and Rs. 35,990 for the 32 GB variant. We will have a full hands on review of the Nexus 5X soon.

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990

October 24, 2015

Hands On | Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Premium

Sony might have been getting flak for being slow on innovation for the past few years. However, with the launch of the new Sony Xperia Z5 Premium along side the more mainstream Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 compact, the Japanese giant is ready to set the record straight.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the worlds first 4k display equipped smartphone. Sony has also included a new fingerprint scanner at an innovative location, right on the power button. The fingerprint scanner makes it easy to unlock the device efficiently, its quick and very accurate, making it a pleasure to use.

Sony has not done much about the design apart from adding a matte finish on the Z5 and a ultra glossy finish on the Z5 Premium which will be available in Gold or Chrome. The remaining design is based on the use of metal as a structure and Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back of all the devices.

The premium with its 5.5 inch display is just a bit bigger and comfortable for most and also sits in the same size dimensions as the iPhone 6 Plus. Th rounded metal frame feels great and easy to hold.

The 23MP camera is an immense pleasure to use, with the dedicated shutter button. Images are captured quickly and look sharp, especially thanks to the 4k display. The in body image stabalization that we were able to test also looks fantastic.

While most of the interface is still designed like olden Sony Timescape, the UI is fast and responsive and looks glorious on the UHD display. Android 5.1.1 is pre-installed and will be updated frequently and promptly promises Sony.

The front of the device also houses- boom sound style dual stereo speakers which is nice and loud. The audio is crisp and well balanced.

Sony has been able to truly capture our attention with the launch of these new handsets, but do we really need a 4k display smartphone and how will it affect the battery life? These are almost the same questions we asked at the time of QHD display. Stay tuned for our Review on the Xperia Z5 and Z5 premium soon and check out the spec sheet below:

Specification	Sony Xperia Z5	Sony Xperia Z5 Premium	Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
Display	5.2 inch display	5.5 inch 4K Ultra HD	4.6 inch display
Resolution	1920 x 1080p	4k – 806ppi	1920 x 1080p
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Processor	Octa Core – 64 bit	Octa Core – 64 bit	Octa Core – 64 bit
GPU	Adreno 430	Adreno 430	Adreno 430
RAM	3GB	3GB	3GB
Storage	32GB internal memory	32GB internal memory	32GB internal memory
Expandability	–	200 GB	–
Rear Camera	23MP sensor, F2.0 G Lens, 1/2.3 Exmor RS	23MP sensor, F2.0 G Lens, 1/2.3 Exmor RS	23MP sensor, F2.0 G Lens, 1/2.3 Exmor RS
Rear Camera Video	4k	4k	4k
Front Camera	5MP	5MP	5MP
Front Camera Video	1080p	1080p	1080p
Battery	2 days stamina with Qualcomm Quick Charger	3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge	2 days stamina with Qualcomm Quick Charger
Operating System	Android 5.1	Android 5.1	Android 5.1
Connectivity	4G LTE, Single SIM and Dual SIM	Single SIM and Dual SIM	4G LTE
Miscellaneous	Fingerprint sensor, Colours: White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green	Fingerprint sensor	Yellow and Coral
Price	–	–	–

October 21, 2015

Nexus 6P | Hands On

Google’s Nexus 6P has officially launched in India today. The company had sent out invites for the event starting at 11 am. The Huawei-made Nexus 6P and the LG-made Nexus 5X released ahead of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch that is set to hit the markets on the 16th.

The Nexus 6P will be made available exclusively for Flipkart. Pre-orders for the phones will start tonight and the devices will begin shipping from October 21. Those who pre-order the Nexus 6P will get a Chromecast dongle worth Rs. 2,999 from Flipkart. The devices can also be purchased later on from select offline retailers such as Croma, The Mobile Store, among others.

The Nexus 6P is priced at Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB, Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB, and Rs. 47,999 for the 128GB variant. The 6P features a 5.7-inch QHD touchscreen, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 3 GB RAM, a 3450mAh battery, and a USB Type-C port. The camera sports a 12.3MP sensor with laser autofocus, dual-LED flash at the rear and a rather impressive 8MP on the front. This pure Android phone will run on the latest Marshmallow operating system.

Our initial reactions towards the 6P were quite favorable. One of the main highlights of the Nexus 6P is the Nexus Imprint. The fingerprint sensor on the back is fast and fluid in accessibility, which according to Google only “gets better over time” as it learns more about your unique fingerprint. Another major improvement is the camera. The 12MP rear camera takes crisp and clear pictures even in low light due to the 1.55 micron pixels, which is greater than the iPhone 6s Plus.

Compared to the Nexus 5X, the 6P has a more premium look to it. It has a full-metal body, built out of aluminium with diamond chamfers around the edges. The metallic finish of the body is smooth and feels comfortable in your hand, but is heavier than the Nexus 5X, which comes with a plastic body. One concern that arose regarding the leaked images of the Nexus 6P was just how much the black camera bar on the top would put off users. However, on using the Nexus 6P, the bar seemed like a welcomed change and does not stick out as much as one would think.

The Nexus 6P is on the expensive side, but some improvements especially on the camera front make it worth buying if you’re looking at the market for premium handsets. As mentioned, the Nexus 6P will be available for pre-order tonight on Flipkart.

October 13, 2015

LG Nexus 5X | Hands On

The latest devices by Google have finally arrived in India. Starting today at 2 PM, Amazon has begun pre-orders for Google Nexus 5X in the country. The smartphone will be finally available on the 21st of October.

The device was first introduced to us last month by Google in their official event, and is now marked at a price of Rs. 31,990 for the 16 GB variant and Rs. 35, 990 for the 32GB variant in India.

The Nexus 5X comes with a 5.2-inch FHD display, USB Type-C which allows almost 4 hours of battery post a 10-minute charging routine, and is available in three colours – Carbon black, Quartz white and Ice blue. The company will also be bringing in a range of covers to India, along with the handsets, priced at Rs. 2,800.

We checked out the Ice Blue variant. The back of the smartphone comes with a smooth matte finish. The size of the device feels just right in the hands.

On the camera front the smartphone comes equipped with a 12.3 MP rear camera and a 5 MP selfie camera. The smartphone is capable of capturing 4K and slow-motion videos, making this phone the most advanced multimedia Nexus device to date.

As opposed to the all-metal body of the Nexus 6P, 5X comes in a plastic body of size 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm, and weighs 136 g. The device also has Nexus Imprint, a fingerprint sensor located on the back of the body. A single touch of the sensor would power on and unlock Nexus 5X for usage.

It is further packed with a 2 GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset and OS Android Marshmallow 6.0. The stock Android is seamless as always; Google has provided minimal bloatware – a move which will be appreciated.

That’s all for now, we will be bringing you an in-depth review of the device shortly.

The specs of Google Nexus 5X are as follows:

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990

October 13, 2015

Moto X Style and Moto X Play: Unboxing and Hands On

The newest Motorola device on the block, Moto X Style, was launched in the country last week, and is up for grabs starting 12 AM on 14th-15th October. The phone is mostly a style variant of the Moto X Play which was launched in India last month.

Moto X Play comes with changeable back covers available in different colours. This is a feature Moto X Style falls short of as its body is a single, non-detachable unit.The two phones are quite similar on the specs front with X Style not having much to add to X Play. If anything, Style is lower on the battery front with a 3,000 mAh bettery than Play at 3,630 mAh. Style is slightly bigger and heavier than Play and is priced much higher.

The cameras of both phones are marked at 21 MP. The main difference is in the front camera – Style comes equipped with a flash in the front camera as well while Play doesn’t.

The specs of the two phones are as follows:

Specification	Moto X Style	Moto X Play
Display	5.7 inch, TFT LCD, Corning Gorilla Glass 3	5.5 inch, Capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1440 x 2560 pixels (~520 ppi pixel density)	1080 x 1920 pixels (~403 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SOC	Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615
Processor	1.8 GHz Hexa-core	1.7 GHz Octa-core
CPU	Dual-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A57 & quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53	Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	Adreno 418	Adreno 405
RAM	3 GB	2 GB
Storage	16 GB/ 32 GB/ 64 GB	16 GB/ 32 GB
Expandability	128 GB with microSD card	128 GB with microSD card
Rear Camera	21 MP with an f/2.0 aperture	21 MP rear, auto-HDR, dual-LED flash
Front Camera	5 MP with flash	5 MP
Battery	3,000 mAh	3,630 mAh battery
Operating System	Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth v 4.10, GSM, 3G, 4G/ LTE	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-bandBluetooth v4.0, Micro USB v2.0
Price	Rs. 29,999 for 16 GB and Rs. 31,999 for 32 GB	Rs. 18,499 for 16 GB and Rs. 19,999 32 GB

October 12, 2015

Apple iPhone 6s Plus Unboxing and Hands On

Apple’s latest iPhone is all set to launch in India on the 16th of October. Pre orders have begun on major e-commerce websites, most of which promise to deliver the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus 2-4 days from launch. There is also a traditional launch which will happen in major cities, where people will cue up to buy the phone on the day of the launch.

Apple has not made major design changes, as a matter of fact the only design change is the fact that the new iPhone 6s is heavier and thicker than the iPhone 6 and so is the case of the iPhone 6s Plus when compared to predecessor iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6 plus with its added weight feels much better and sturdier to hold in the hands. The reinforced aluminium frame takes a lot more pressure and there is no more “Bendgate“.

The new 3D touch is something that could become a big deal when more apps start to leverage the tech. As you will see in the video, it takes a while to get used to it, but is a lot of fun to use.

The cameras are a big welcome change. The front camera gets 5 MP which means front portraits aka. SELFIES, are now much improved. However the front camera only shoots 720p video. Boo Apple!

The rear camera however, is now a 12 MP shooter with 4k Video capability, which was much needed. New Live photos and optical image stabalization. All of which will require a lot of space on your iPhone. Pro Tip : if you use the camera a lot, avoid the 16 GB variant of the iPhone 6s / 6s Plus.

Check out the hands on video above and stay tuned for more. Full Specs below:

Specifications	iPhone 6s	iPhone 6s Plus
Display	Retina HD display with 3D Touch, 4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen	Retina HD display with 3D Touch, 5.5-inch LED-backlit widescreen
Resolution	1334 X 750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi	1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi
Processor	Embedded M9 motion coprocessor	Embedded M9 motion coprocessor
Chipset	A9 chip with 64-bit architecture	A9 chip with 64-bit architecture
OS	iOS 9	iOS 9
Internal Storage	16GB/64GB/128GB	16GB/64GB/128GB
Exapandibility	N/A	N/A
Rear camera	12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture	12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Optical image stabilization
Rear Camera Video	4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps	Optical image stabilization for video, 4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps
Front Camera	5-megapixel photos, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Retina Flash	5-megapixel photos, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Retina Flash
Front Camera Video	720p HD video recording	720p HD video recording
Body Dimensions	143 grams	192 grams
Special Features	Fingerprint sensor, 3D force touch, live photo	Fingerprint sensor, 3D force touch, live photo
Connectivity	23 LTE and faster Wi-Fi	23 LTE and faster Wi-Fi
Variants	Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold	Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold
Price	Rs. 62000, Rs. 72000 and Rs. 82000 for 16GB/64GB/128GB respectively unlocked	Rs. 72000, Rs. 82000 and Rs. 92000 for 16GB/64GB/128GB respectively unlocked

October 11, 2015

Unboxing and Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Touted as one of Samsung’s high-end phones which could give the iPhone some competition, the Galaxy Note 5 was grandly launched last month in New York. Packed with an S-pen and other features, the price of this phablet had been announced in India at Rs.53,900.

The Note 5 runs on the Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop) with an Exynos 7420 chipset, a Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 CPU and a Mali-T760MP8 GPU. As far as storage capacity is concerned, this handset comes in two variants – 32 and 64 GB along with 4GB of RAM. However, it does not have an expandable microSD card slot.

The phablet runs on the Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop) with a Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm processor. It does not have an expandable microSD slot, but comes in two variants – 32GB and 64 GB, both with a 4 GB RAM. The S-Pen this time comes at the bottom of the phone with a spring system which makes accessing it a lot more fun.

In the photography section, the Note 5 comes with a 16 MP, 5312 x 2988 pixels, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash primary camera and a 5MP front camera. Other connectivity features include, Wi-Fi 802.11, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, the Bluetooth v4.2, with GPS and NFC support.

The Galaxy Note 5 has some very interesting features that allow you to perform various tasks such as signing documents with the S-Pen on your PDF directly, instead of having to print it out.

The Galaxy Note 5 is powered by a Non-removable Li-Po 3,000mAh, fast charging, wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA battery.

We as usual, bring to you the hands on and unboxing of this device, just as promised:

To give you a better idea, here are the complete specs:

Features	Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Display	5.7 inches
Resolution	1440 x 2560 pixels
Processor	Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process
OS	Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
RAM	4GB
Storage	32GB and 64 GB
Primary Camera	16 MP, 5312 x 2988 pixels, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash
Front Camera	5MP
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, the Bluetooth v4.2, with GPS and NFC
Battery	Non-removable Li-Po 3,000mAh, fast charging, wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA
Price	Rs.53,900

September 15, 2015

Hands on Moto X Play

With Motorola’s launch of the newest gen Moto X Play edition in India, the company is showing that it is keeping India’s price conscious consumer in mind. Motorola has stabbed competition from the Chinese region, with this one.

The new Moto X Play has been launched in India starting at Rs.18499 for the 16 GB variant and Rs.19999 for the 32 GB variant.

Build Quality is top notch on the new Motorola devices, with the new X built on a metal chassis and on the outside a metal rim. The front has a Gorilla Glass 3 protected display which also counters down on either side of the phone, which feels great to use and avoids the pointy edges of the metal rim from hurting your fingers. The Moto X play is ip52 rated water resistant and can easily resist splashes or basic water damage. The back panes are replaceable too, Motorola calls them “shells”, these can be bought and swapped out to give a different look or material finish to the handset. Available in wood and leather as well, it allows the user to buy the phone at a lower price than add a cover to improve the finish and aesthetics, later on.

On the inside, is a new set of hardware, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-Core chipset has been seen on a variety of handsets, it seems like a good fit for the Moto X. Supporting it is 2 GB of RAM and 16 / 32 GB storage options along with expandability via micro SD.

Interestingly the 21 MP snapper is quick and snappy, but does not support 4k video, as the chipset may not manage to moderate the heat generated during capture. 1080p video is the maximum you will get and that too only at 30fps.

The new Moto X comes with a massive 3630 mAh battery and a turbo power charger , allowing for a quick charge and giving you multiple hours of usage in just minutes of charging. Motorola seems to have found the right mix of hardware and pricing. For India’s low price market, One Plus and Xiaomi need to rethink their strategy, as Motorola’s aggressive pricing for the Moto X play while cost them some major sales.

Stay tuned for our full review.

Specifications	Moto X Play (2015)
Display	5.5 inches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	FHD, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon615
Processor	Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2GB
Storage	16 GB / 32 GB
Expandable Upto	128 GB
Rear Camera	21 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Video	1080p HD video, 30 fps
Battery	3630 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Connectivity	Bluetooth v4.0, A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, AGPS, GLONASS GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 7(2600), 20(800)
Price	Rs. 18499 for 16GB anf Rs 19,999 for 32 GB

September 14, 2015

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ Hands On Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is the company’s first big S series phone, as an add-on to the Galaxy S line of devices. Last year the company thought it better to launch an edgier Note in the form of a Note Edge. However, this year Samsung found it more favourable to make a bigger S6 edge.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ also marks a new chapter, one where the line between a smartphone and a phablet is basically blurring out. Samsung has slowly killed the category it created with the Note in 2010. Large screen phones are now mainstream and Samsung is basically reinforcing that with the S6 edge+.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ is designed to one up the iPhone 6 Plus in terms of specifications and hardware. The Galaxy S6 and the S6 Edge both had huge success in the global markets and Samsung expects no less from the Galaxy S6 edge+.

The elder and bigger sibling is identical to the Galaxy S6 Edge, so identical that you won’t be able to tell them apart unless you put them together. There is a massive screen size different however a minor change in actual dimensions. The S6 edge+ just like the S6 Edge is flanked on both sides with edge displays.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ does become slightly more difficult to handle, and hence Samsung has added one handed operation and screen size reduction, similar to Apple’s double tap to pull down screen on the iPhone 6 Plus. This feature was also seen on the recent Galaxy A8 from Samsung.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ is actually slimmer at just 6.9mm vs the 7 mm of the Galaxy S6 and the feel in the hand is very premium. Samsung has really done a good job with the design of the S6 Edge and hence they, didn’t change anything, but make the phone bigger with the S6 edge+.

Everything from the display resolution to chipset and cameras are identical to the Galaxy S6 Edge, however thanks to the new large display of the S6 edge+ the pixel density drops to 515 ppi vs the mammoth 577 ppi on the S6 Edge. The Edge Plus variant also sports a larger 3,000 mAh battery to combat the drain from the larger QHD Super AMOLED display. An additional 1 GB of LPDD4 RAM, takes it upto 4 GB on the edge+ however the phone is missing the 128GB storage option as only the 32 and 64 GB variants will go on sale.

The software department on the edge+ too remains same as the S6 and the S6 Edge, with a cleaner and simplified UI and new apps window to the edge display Samsung is trying to leverage the screen real-estate. You will also still get a Flipboard news feed to the left of the home screen and gestures like flipping a ringing phone to mute the call. Double clicking the home button will quickly launch the camera.

You still get the fingerprint scanner and ability to remember internet passwords and Samsung Account details using your fingerprint as a security mechanism.

Some would argue that the Galaxy S6 Edge was the right size handset and that it fit well in almost all departments. Whether you were an executive or college student, the S6 and the edge variant seemed to be the right size for your hands.

With the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ the company is trying to reach to those who liked the iPhone 6 Plus and those who loved the Note category but found it to be a niche. With the S6 edge+ Samsung is trying to make the page size phone more mainstream, and by the looks of it, it seems to be headed in the right direction.

Stay tuned for our Full Review of the Galaxy S6 edge+

August 19, 2015

Unboxing and Hands On with the OnePlus 2

OnePlus 2 has finally launched and will be made available in India from August 11 at a price of Rs. 22,999 for the 16GB variant and Rs. 24,999 for the 64GB variant.

OnePlus 2 feels lightweight, thanks to the maufacturer’s decision to use an aluminium alloy in the body. It has a 5.5 inch display and comes with the classic Sandstone Black back cover, which feels nice to hold. The back panel can be easily customised using OnePlus’ StyleSwap covers available in four variants – Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and Kevlar. The covers can be swapped without any hassle, but it still takes some effort to remove the cover.

The lock screen provides a quick shortcut to the camera and the phone dialler. The screen can be unlocked via the fingerprint scanner located on the home button and it usually takes a second to unlock the phone through the fingerprint. The device can store up to five different fingerprints – which is useful.

The OnePlus 2 is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core 64-bit processor with 4GB of RAM. The processor is capable of 4K streaming, which is a shame because the display is limited to 1080p resolution. The display is bright though, which makes the 1080p resolution enough for a 5.5 inch display. The device runs on Android 5.1 with OxygenOS. The device has a feature called the ‘shelf’, which is activated when you swipe to the left on the home screen; it opens your preferred contacts and recent apps.

Another feature that grabs attention is the button on the left side of the phone, called the slider which toggles between three notification profiles – ‘None’, ‘Priority’ and ‘All’. The camera is nice and was fast enough to capture photos.

OnePlus 2 comes with a USB type-C port, a first for any flagship smartphone. Reversible in nature, the USB type-C allows for faster data transfers and is compatible with almost every device with standard USB ports.

Overall, the phone seems to deliver what the company promised. However, we’d advise you to wait for our review.

Check out the unboxing and hands on video of OnePlus 2:

Here are the specifications of the OnePlus 2:

Specification	OnePlus 2
Display	5.5-inch TPS LCD in cell, Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	1080×1920 pixels, 401 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 v2.1
Processor	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 430
RAM	3/4 GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage	16/64 GB
Expandability	N/A
Rear Camera	13 MP with OIS, 1.35 sensor size and fast laser focus and f/ 2.0 aperture
Rear Camera Video	2160p at 30fps, 2160p(DCI) at 24fps, 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps, HDR, stereo sound recording
Front Camera	5 MP
Front Camera Video	1080p at 30fps
Battery	Non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery
Operating System	Android 5.1 Lollipop-based Oxygen OS
Connectivity	SIM: DualWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot Bluetooth v4.1, A2DPGPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, Radio FM,microUSB v2.0, Type-C reversible connector
Miscellaneous	Fingerprint sensor, Reversible USB Type-C Charger
Price	Rs 22,999/24,999

Full Gallery:

July 28, 2015

Unboxing and Hands On: Micromax Canvas Xpress 2

Starting the week right is Micromax’s launch of its ultra budget smartphone. Meet the Canvas Xpress 2 – it comes with a 13MP camera, a 5-inch HD display, 1GB RAM and is only priced at Rs. 5,999.

Chinese companies have spoilt Indian buyers by offering high-end specs at affordable prices and Indian companies are trying hard to keep up. This is Micromax’s attempt.

You’d expect that such a smartphone would be a product of the company’s subsidiary Yu Televentures. But Micromax decided to swoop in and bring out its own budget offering.

In the box, along with the smartphone, we get a pair of earphones, a data cable, a power adapter, a screen guard and standard documentation.

Coming to the smartphone itself, this one is quite a looker. The smartphone comes with a gold rim, which is subtle and stylish. It also has a smooth matte black back, so there isn’t a need to worry about fingerprints. The display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which takes away the worry of careless scratches. The gold and black exteriors complement each other well and moreover give the phone a premium feel. The design of the device also seems sturdy.

Meanwhile, under the hood, the Xpress 2 comes with an octa core, MediaTek6592 chipset clocked at 1.4 GHz. It comes coupled with 1GB of RAM. The smartphone offers 8GB internal storage, which is expandale to 32GB. Micromax has provided a 2500Ah Battery to fuel the device.

The company claims they’re extremely proud of the smartphone’s camera prowess. The Canvas Xpress 2 comes with a 13MP rear camera, with a Dual LED Flash and f/ 2.0 lens, which promises to produce clear pictures in low-light settings.

The device comes with Android KitKat 4.4.2 out of the box, which is upgradable to Lollipop. The user interface is mostly generic, with a little or no changes from Micromax. The overall experience of the UI is incredibly smooth. One of the useful features about it is that a quick swipe to the left opens up the newsfeed; which is an easy way to keep up with current events. The standard three buttons at the bottom of the screen are touch-capacitive.

The smartphone is again, available online-only, and will exclusively go on sale via Flipkart via the infamous flash sale model. Registrations begin today, i.e 27th July and the first sale is scheduled on the 4th of August. The company also is offering an exclusive deal in collaboration with Vodafone.

Watch out Unboxing and Hands On review here:

To know what we think of the device, wait for our full review.

July 27, 2015

Unboxing and Hands On – Yu Yureka Plus

Micromax-owned Yu Televentures has just launched the new Yu Yureka Plus. Aesthetically the Yureka Plus is quite identical to the original Yureka. However, there are few changes which may be oblivious to the eye, and one change which is majorly apparent.

The alabaster white colour, reminds us of the the remaining out of the two colours that Oneplus One launched with (Silk White and Sandstone), since moonstone grey took care of the rest.

Hardware Specs	Yu Yureka Plus
Display	5.5-inch FHD Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1920 x 1080px 400ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 615
Processor	1.5GHz Octacore \| 64 Bit
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2GB
Primary Camera	13MP Sony Sensor
Front Camera	5MP
Video Recoding	1080p Full HD
Storage	16GB
Expandable Up to	32 GB
Battery	2,500 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1 Lollipop with Cyanogen 12
Bluetooth	4.0
Price	Rs. 9,999

The Yu Yureka Plus comes with similar things inside the box – a Handset, Charger, Earphones, USB Cable and Documentation. Specs wise, the Yu Yureka Plus gets a FHD display with Gorilla Glass 3 in the same 5.5 inch size making the pixel density reach 400ppi. New improved camera sensors from Sony will improve picture quality drastically, and a new improved chassis is said to be more resilient. The smartphone is up for registrations on Amazon.

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Check out our images below followed by the unboxing and hands on video. Stay tuned for the full review.