Category: Unboxing and Hands On

Hands On | Lenovo A7000

Lenovo had been in the news before MWC 2015 for all the wrong reasons. The revelation of the Superfish bug brought public outrage towards the company along with an incident of their website getting hacked. Well, Lenovo pulled a brave face and introduced the new A7000 that looks like a great multimedia handset that comes with a pocket-friendly price tag.

The Lenovo A7000 is a great handset to look at. It is available in black and white color variant and feels like a premium device. It might feel a bit bulky with its 8 mm thickness, but it makes the device feel robust. The device is comparable with its sibling, the A6000, that the company unveiled at the CES 2015.

The A7000 has a spec sheet that will enthuse any multimedia enthusiast on a budget. It has a 5.5 inch, 720 x 1280 pixel display with a density of 267 ppi. It is powered by a Octa-core, 1.5 GHz Mediatek chipset along with 2 GB RAM. The handset sports 8 GB internal storage that can be expanded up to 32 GB. It runs Android 5.0 out of the box and is juiced up by a 2900 mAh.

The A7000 also has some good listing in its camera space. It has an 8 MP main shooter and a 5 MP selfie shooter. The images clicked from the device were found to be crisp but we need to bring the device to test it out thoroughly.

Lenovo’s multimedia credentials are amplified here with the addition of Dolby Atmos audio in the device. When listened to on headphones, the sound from the smartphone feels like it’s coming from all the directions, thereby gives a fuller audio experience. According to Lenovo, the A7000 can enhance sound quality of any content for the pleasure of the user.

For the user interface, the A7000 runs the Vibe UI, which is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. It borrows features like multitasking panel from the stock Android but, fortunately, offers capacitive buttons below the display instead of placing it within the UI.

The A7000 has a good features list, and while we still have to test it out for ourselves, it looks it can take on the likes of Redmi Note and Yu Yureka. A slightly generous expandable storage of at least 64 GB would have done good for the consumers, as well as the company. Lenovo has said that the device will be priced at $160 (approx Rs. 10,400), which is a bit pricier than its competition in the Indian market. But Lenovo can take advantage of the shortage of stocks of the other devices to attract customers to itself.

Update: Lenovo A7000 launches in India, Priced at Rs. 8,999.

March 7, 2015

Hands On | Gionee Elife S7

Gionee is known for making some of the most stylish phones in the market. Their recent offering called the Elife S7 is one of the slimmest phones in the market. At MWC 2015, the company brought the latest edition to its S family of devices, and it’s called the S7. Let’s take a look this new device and how it compares to the previous devices from Gionee’s stable.

Design has always been Gionee’s USP, and it continues that with the S7. With a thickness of 5.5 mm, the Elife S7 is comparable in slimness with its sibling, the S5.5. As with the other devices in the S-family, the S7 is slim yet sturdy. It has a vibrant display with great viewing angles. The front and the back end of the devices are secured with Corning Gorilla Glass that also add a premium feel to it. The slim bezels around the display make the content pop out.

Specs-wise, the device has some great innards. It has a 5.2 inch, 1080p display with a pixel density of 424 PPI. Its processing needs are handled by a 1.7 GHz, MediaTek processor along with 2 GB RAM. It is a dual SIM device and gets its juice from a 2750 mAh battery. One major issue we have with this device is the lack of expandable storage and only a 16 GB storage option.

The S7 is great on the camera front, as has been the case with Elife devices. It has a 13 MP camera on the back and an 8 MP camera for your Selfie considerations. The images from the S7 look fantastic, albeit a bit over-saturated. The front camera is fantastic and is comparable with the back cameras of many devices in the market.

The Elife S7 runs Amigo UI 3.0 which is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. This user interface is easy to learn and light to operate. It borrows some features such as recent apps and pm screen capacitive buttons directly from stock Android. It has customization features such as chameleon that lets you create color tones for the device according to your liking.

Overall the device looks and feels good for the price. Gionee is expected to launch the device in the European markets for EUR 399 (Approx. Rs. 24,000) which is fairly reasonable. It’s good that Gionee went with the thickness of 5.5 mm as it feels sleek yet safe in the hands. Now if Gionee can only take care of the storage issue, it might find a good number of takers in the market.

Update: Gionee Elife S7 arrives in India priced at Rs. 24,999

Specs	Gionee Elife S7
Display	5.2 inches 1080 x 1920 pixels Corning Gorilla Glass
CPU	Octa-core 1.7 GHz, Mediatek MT6752
RAM	2 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB
Expandable Up to	NA
Main Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	8 MP
Battery	2750 mAh

March 6, 2015

Hands On | ASUS Zenfone 2

Asus Zenfone line of smartphones has done well in the market. These devices offer high-quality specs with unique features at affordable prices. The company has already launched the Zenfone 4, 5 and 6 in the Indian market. This year the company unveiled a new addition to the portfolio with the Zenfone 2. We got to take a look at this device at MWC 2015, and here we bring you our hands-on experience with the device.

Zenfone 2 flaunts a Full HD, 5.5 inch display that is protected with Gorilla Glass 3. It comes in two processor variants; a Quad-core 2.3 GHz, Intel Atom Z3580 processor and a Quad-core 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor along with 2 and 4 GB RAM options. It is available in 6/32/64 GB storage variants that can be further expanded up to 64 GB. It gets its juice from a 3000 mAh battery.

On the camera front, the device has a 13 MP shooter on the back along with the dual-LED flash. On the front sits a 5 MP selfie shooter. The front camera has an 85-degree field of view which will let the users click wider selfies.

Like its other Zenfone siblings, Zenfone 2 has also received some visually appealing design features. The front is dominated by the massive 5.5 inch display. It has a premium look and feel, especially with the brushed metal finish on the back.

The device runs Asus ZenUI based on Android 5.0 out of the box. ZenUI offers multiple customization and scheduling options that can make life easy for the users. It also has a unique option called Share link through which you can share content such as photos, videos, music, apps and APKs without the internet. The UI also has an easy mode that allows users with low technical skills to easily operate the device.

The device looks promising and has a great design. The vast number of options in the specs listing might confuse the consumers. The device is expected to be launched in $199 (approx Rs. 12,400) price bracket that would make it a steal. Keep checking iGyaan for an in-depth review of the new Asus Zenfone 2 and all the latest happenings at MWC 2015.

Specs	Asus Zenfone 2
Display	5.5-inch Full HD 403 PPI
CPU	2.3 GHz,Quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 and 1.8 GHz,Quad-core Intel Atom Z3560
RAM	2 and 4 GB
Internal Storage	16GB/32GB/64GB
Expandable Storage	64 GB
Main Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Battery	3000 mAh

March 4, 2015

Hands On | Sony Xperia M4 Aqua

At the Mobile World Congress today in Barcelona, Sony introduced to the world two fresh devices, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia Z4. The former one is a mid-range smartphone, while the Xperia Z4 is a 10-inch robust tablet with top-notch specs. Both the devices run on Google’s Android power and are immune to water till a certain depth.

The newly launched Xperia M4 Aqua is clad in a plastic body and holds an OmniBalance design. Weighing at a mere 136 grams, the smartphone is super light but doesn’t compromise on the build quality. At a thickness of 7.3mm, the M4 Aqua fits comfortably in the hand, making it perfect for single-handed usage.

The smartphone flaunts a 5.2-inch 720p IPS display, which is protected by a tempered glass. The handset runs on the latest Android OS, Lollipop. The Material Design interface is super impressive and makes the phone more quick and fluid. A 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, Adreno 405 GPU and 2GB of RAM is equipped to the M4 Aqua.

Optics of the handset includes a 13MP Exmor RS primary camera and a 5 MP selfie cam in the front. The phone comes in two storage variants – 8GB and 16GB, both of them are expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD support. The smartphone derives juice from the 2,400mAh cell. One of the strong points of the M4 Aqua is its aforementioned waterproof feature. It has got IP65 and IP68 certification, which prevents it from any damage until 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes. Also, it doesn’t feature a rubberized cap for the microUSB port.

The handset comes at an introductory price of €299, which roughly translates to Rs. 23,000. For now, take a look at its specifications:

Specs	Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
Display	5.2-inch IPS display (720p)
Processor	64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615Adreno 405 GPU
RAM	2GB
Onboard Memory	8GB/16GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Primary Camera	13MP Exmor RS
Secondary Camera	5MP
Battery	2,400mAh
Price	€299 (approx Rs. 23,000)

Here’s our hands on with the smartphone at launch:

March 2, 2015

Hands On | Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL at MWC 2015

Earlier today at the MWC 2015, Microsoft stepped on to the podium to showcase two new low-price Lumia smartphones – the Lumia 640 and its big brother Lumia 640 XL.

The Lumia 640 is a standard Lumia phone and falls under sub-Rs. 10,000 category, while Lumia 640 XL is higher both in size and specs. Microsoft is trying to woo the customers with free Office 365 subscription.

Talking about Lumia 640 first, the handset touts a 5-inch IPS display with 720p resolution, which has been given a protection of Gorilla Glass 3. The phone has a glossy finish, but its polycarbonate back is hefty. Equipped with 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor, the device packs 1 GB of RAM paired with 8 GB internal storage space. The memory can be expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD card.

The 8MP camera of the device at a price range of Rs. 10,000 coupled with LED Flash. The secondary shooter stands at 1MP with wide angle lens. A 2,500mAh battery powers the device. The device comes in four colour options – cyan, orange white and black.

The Lumia 640 XL is the advanced sibling of Lumia 640 and captures a 5.7-inch IPS LCD screen with 720p resolution. The phone has a matte finish, which adds to the overall appeal. The same 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor powers the handset, along with 1 GB RAM. The in-built storage space too stands same at 8GB, which is expandable via MicroSD slot up to 128GB.

The bigger Lumia 640 features a 13MP primary snapper that comes bundled with LED flash and Carl Zeiss optics. Selfie lovers would prefer its front 5MP camera. A more powerful 3,000mAh battery keeps the device working through the whole day.

Meanwhile, both the models will ship with Windows 8.1, but the company promises to update them soon to the newer version, Windows 10. The Lumia 640 will debut in April and will come at a price of €140 for 3G variant and €160 for LTE version. The Lumia 640 XL, on the other hand, is priced at €190 for the 3G version and €220 for the 4G LTE model. There are also dual SIM versions available for both the phones. Each of them is available in 3G dual-SIM, and LTE single- and dual-SIM models.

Have a look at their spec sheet:

SPECS	MICROSOFT Lumia 640	MICROSOFT Lumia 640 XL
Display	5-inch IPS(294ppi)Gorilla Glass 3	5.7-inch IPS LCD(259ppi)Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	8GB	8GB
Expandable Upto	128GB	128GB
Main Camera	8MP	13MP
Front Camera	1MP	5MP
Battery	2500mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	Windows 8.1	Windows 8.1
Price (LTE)	€160 (near Rs. 11,000)	€220 (near Rs. 15,000)

Check out our hands on with the device here:

March 2, 2015

Exclusive Hands On : HTC One M9

HTC’s latest flagship has arrived and it might just live up to expectations. HTC has made a more mature incremental upgrade to an already promising product. The new HTC One M9 highlights everything that was good about the M8 and M7 and fixes what was horribly bad about them.

Big major fixes include a bumped up camera, a 20 MP shooter with a sapphire lens cover. The camera now not only looks good, but also shoots 4k video. However we are majorly missing the OIS found in the Korean rival’s handset.

Last year’s main camera the Ultrapixel snapped, is now the front facing camera, improving low light selfies and it looks really good. The camera adds a lot of details and pictures are actually very visible in low light. HTC claims that the camera sees more light than the human eye, our tests confirm that.

The M9 is powered by an all new Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, a 64 bit SOC, with an Octa core 2.0 GHz CPU and Adreno 430 GPU. 3GB of RAM and 32 GB storage makes the memory part complete, but, you do get a 128 GB card support and 115 GB of Google Drive.

The two tone color of the Silver One M9 looks fantastic and will be an instant hit, with anyone who appreciates quality handsets. However the new Samsung Galaxy S6 looks too fancy to ignore. HTC has found inspiration from luxury watches, and the minute we look at the M9 we see Hublot.

Everything runs on a highly optimized 2800 mAh battery, bundled with Android Lollipop 5.0.2 out of the box and HTC’s new Sense 7 promises a major improvement in the battery life, and out of experience there is a big difference. The quick charge also improves the charge times and you will be on the go in just a few.

HTC has included a new flurry of covers, none of which come with the device. The new rugged cover will make the device IP 67 and it honestly feels great on the phone and does not add much bulk. The DOT case has been improved quite a lot, adding more functionality. Including Dot-breaker (a cool game) and custom wallpapers that you can sketch, see below.

New Dot Case

Transparent Back

Rugged Case

Rugged Case back

New Dot Case

HTC One M9 Unboxing and Hands on Video

HTC One M9 Specifications

March 1, 2015
Exclusive Hands On: Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

Samsung’s latest flagship and its edgier brother have made it into our hands and that too before the main global launch event.

Samsung Galaxy S5 and S6 Back

The Samsung Galaxy S6, just like the rumors, holds a new design language. Which unmistakably is inspired and looks almost identical to the Apple iPhone lineage, all glass front and back, infused onto a stainless steel bezel. Samsung may have finally grown up.

S6 Edge

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is also a step in the right direction, while the device has dual edges the display’s continuity is not broken, as in the case of the Galaxy Note Edge, and the edge is mostly for aesthetic appeal.

Samsung has included quick charging and wireless charging capabilities in the new S6 and the S6 Edge, details of which should be available shortly.

Galaxy S6 Edge and Wireless Chargers

Spec wise Samsung has these bad boys fully loaded up with this years hardware, an all new Exynos Octa Core 2.1 GHz chipset along with 3 GB LPDDR4 RAM, the phone just like iPhone will be available in fixed storage sizes, however starting from 32 GB, a 64 GB variant and a 128 GB all based on UFS 2.0 (Universal Flash Storage). And yes, just like iPhones the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the S6 Edge will not have micro SD expandability.

New Bumper Case

Connectivity is pretty top notch LTE Cat 6, Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and globally unlocked variants will work on TDD and FDD LTE bands so networks should not be a problem for Samsung this time around.

5.1 inch QuadHD Display

The Display is a all new 5.1 inch Super Amoled screen with a QuadHD resolution giving it a total 577 ppi of eye burning sharpness. The Galaxy S6 Edge on the other hand has a much more snappier Exynos Octa Core with 2.5 GHz and a slightly better 2600 mAh battery vs the 2550 mAh on the Galaxy S6 (non-edge.)

The pricing remains a question (which will be answered shortly), however it is rumored that the Galaxy S6 Edge will cost more than the Note Edge did at launch.

March 1, 2015

Microsoft Lumia 532 | Hands On

Microsoft yesterday launched the Lumia 532 in India targeted at the affordable segment of the market. The phone runs on Windows Phone 8.1 OS and will be getting the Windows 10 update. Microsoft launched the devices with multiple offers like data connection and premium access to Truecaller for six months. But what has it really got to offer for its price tag of Rs.6,499, let’s have a look.

The Lumia 532 comes from the Nokia inventory of devices that now feature a Microsoft logo. The phone is fairly fast and responsive. It features a 1 GB RAM and a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 processor. You get a 5 MP shooter at the back and a VGA camera on the front that lets you make Skype calls from the device. This dual-sim, 3G device gets its power from a 1560 mAh battery.

Microsoft has said that the device will always get the latest operating system(OS) updates and will be getting the Denim update soon. Microsoft’s next major OS update is Windows 10, and the Lumia 532 will be getting it too.

Coming to build quality, the device does impress you with its exteriors. It carries on the legacy of the Nokia’s strong build, for which it is still appreciated (*Nokia 3310 memes). It has a robust, matte finish, polycarbonate back panel along with a strengthened front glass. The sides of the device have been given a glossy finish which is unique offering from Microsoft. It might be a bit tough to get the back panel out initially, but it will get easier once you understand the technique to open it.

The physical controls and ports are easy to access too. On the right side, you have the volume rockers and the power buttons. On the bottom, you get the microUSB port for charging and data syncing. On the top is a 3.5 mm jack for hands-free. The phone lets you expand storage to up to 128 GB which will be appreciated by multimedia hoarders.

Windows phones are known to be fast and responsive, and so is this device. The UI is really responsive, and the 1 GB helps you to get your tasks done with ease. You can customize the size of your live tiles just by holding them out and then selecting what size you want. You can also move the tiles as you desire. The device lets you change the basic color of the device, and you can get a back panel with the same color too. So this will be loved by the young folks. There is also a new predictive keyboard that will make it a lot easier to type messages.

So the device overall offers some good features for its price tag of Rs. 6,499. The device will always be updated and has a lot of colors and customization features that will impress the youth market. We will bring out a full review out soon and if you have any questions and queries regarding the device then post it in the comment section below and we’ll try to address them in our review. Keep checking iGyaan for more.

SPECS	Microsoft Lumia 532
Operating System	Windows Phone 8.1
Screen Size	4 inch 480 x 800 pixels
RAM	1 GB
Battery	1560 mAh
Processor	Snapdragon 200
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage	8 GB
Expandable Up to	128 GB
Front camera	VGA
Rear Camera	5 MP
Price	Rs. 6,499

February 20, 2015

Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | Hands On

Samsung came out with a plethora of devices at the 2015 Samsung Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand. The newest entrants in the 4G lineup are four handsets – Galaxy J1, Galaxy A7, Galaxy Core Prime and Galaxy Grand Prime. The company looked promising and the India Head of Samsung, Asim Warsi, took to the stage announcing that the firm will focus on bringing out more 4G devices to the market.

Meanwhile, we got an opportunity to get our hands on one of the devices, Galaxy Grand Prime 4G.

The Galaxy Grand Prime, as earlier said, is a 4G capable device and holds two SIM slots. At a thickness of 8.6mm, it couldn’t be considered slim, and the rounded edges give it more bulky look. With a plastic body, the Grand Prime weighs mere 156 grams. The design of the Galaxy Grand Prime is nothing extraordinary and is akin to the other Samsung models with similar key placement and identical build.

The handset comes in two colour options – white and grey.

Talking about the specifications of Galaxy Grand Prime 4G, then the smartphone boasts a 5-inch qHD TFT (960x540p) display and is equipped with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. The device runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with TouchWiz UI on top, and there’s yet no notification if the device can be upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop. The smartphone sports an internal memory capacity of 8 GB (expandable up to 64 GB) and 1 GB RAM.

The Galaxy Prime Grand features an 8MP snapper at the back with LED flash and speakers. The front sports a good 5MP front camera that sits at the top of the 5-inch screen for clicking selfies. The back of the phone secures a 2,600mAh battery that powers up the device. Connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi and NFC.

Just like any other handset, the Galaxy Grand Prime holds the volume rocker on the left-hand side and power button on the right. The top of the rim has a 3.5mm audio jack and the bottom comprises of a USB slot for charging the device.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime 4G support TDD-LTE (2300) 4G network used in India. The 3G variants of the smartphone are already available in the market, but this handset will hit Indian stores in March this year. Meanwhile, the company is tight-lipped about its price but is anticipated to be priced slightly higher than the J1, around Rs. 15,000.

Check out the specs sheet below for details:

SPECS	Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime
Operating System	Android OS, v4.4 (KitKat)
Screen Size	5.0-inch, 960×540 pixels
RAM	1 GB
Battery	2600 mAh
Processor	1.2 GHz quad-core
Internal Storage	8 GB
Expandable up to	64 GB
Front camera	5 MP
Rear Camera	8 MP

February 18, 2015

Samsung Galaxy J1 4G | Hands On

Yesterday, Samsung at their annual Forum announced that they will be focusing more on releasing 4G smartphones for the Indian market. Keeping in line with their word, they went forward to announce four 4G devices. The Samsung Galaxy J1, is one of the devices. It was also the cheapest handset announced by the company yesterday.

The Galaxy J1 sports a 4.3-inch WVGA TFT display with 480×800 pixel density. It is equipped with 1.2GHz quad core processor and runs on Android 4.4 KitKat. It has an inbuilt memory of 768 MB RAM and 4 GB internal memory, which can be upgraded up to 128 GB via microSD slot.

Samsung has gone for a curvier look with the J1. The design is typical Samsung-style – touch capacitive buttons at the bottom, centre oval shaped home button and the logo placement is kept the same as every other model by the company.

The look and feel of the device is good, however it is slightly on the bulky side, especially when compared to the rest of the sleek devices recently launched by Samsung.

The Galaxy J1 features a 5MP rear shooter with Flash along with 2 MP front camera; the company should’ve considered going for a higher resolution cameras.

The Dual SIM handset gets powered up by a 1,850mAh battery. The device is available in blue, black and white colour variants. The model will come at Rs. 9,900 and will be available in India from the second week of March 2015.

The specifications are mediocre for the amount the company has priced the device. There are several devices in the sub-Rs. 10,000 segment, which offer way better specs, some even at lower prices.

SPECS	Samsung Galaxy J1 4G
Operating System	Android OS, v4.4.x (KitKat)
Screen Size	4.3 inch 480×800 pixels
RAM	768 MB
Battery	1850 mAh
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage	4 GB
Expandable Up to	128 GB
Front camera	2 MP
Rear Camera	5 MP
Price	Rs. 9,900

February 17, 2015

Samsung Galaxy A7 | Hands On

Yesterday, Samsung Forum 2015 kicked off in Bangkok Thailand, and the company took the opportunity to announce a couple of devices. One of them was the new Galaxy A7, the slimmest Galaxy smartphone yet, measuring only 6.3 mm. They claimed that the phone has been packaged with premium hardware for a superior social experience. We decided to check the smartphone out for ourselves. Here are our first impressions:

Galaxy A7 vies to expand the services provided by Galaxy A5 and A3. The A7 is exactly like the big brother of the A5. Except that they’ve upped the notch on specifications, the look and feel of the two devices is exactly the same. The use of metal gives this device an extremely premium feel. The device will be appreciated for its classy design.

Samsung Forum 2015 Galaxy A7 9 — The Galaxy A5 and the A7, size comparison.

On the front bottom, below the screen of the device, there are the touch capacitive buttons, and in the centre is the Samsung’s typical oval style Home Button. At the bottom we have the main USB slot/Data synching port and 3.5 mm jack.

The metal handset is equipped with a 5.5 inch, Full HD Super AMOLED display, which is a step ahead of the A5. This one delivers an excellent viewing experience. With the bigger screen and good display, watching videos and browsing the internet was a breeze.

The company has also added Adaptive Display Technology which intelligently optimizes the screen brightness and the color saturation.

Coming to the camera of the device, it is equipped with a 13 MP primary camera and a 5 MP front camera, along with Advanced Selfie features like Ultra Wide Shot, GIF shooting modes and Auto Selfie modes (Palm and Voice Selfie.) We checked out the camera, and it served the purpose well.

It runs on Android 4.4 KitKat and comes packed with 2GB of RAM. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa-core processor which allows users to easily perform data intensive tasks. On the first go, the UI seemed really fast and responsive.

All in all, with its nice accents of metal, the big brother of A5 is a good addition to Samsung’s portfolio. Priced at Rs. 30,499, it may appear to be expensive but is unique in its own way!

SPECS	Samsung Galaxy A7
Operating System	Android OS, v4.4.x (KitKat)
Screen Size	5.5 inch 1080×1920 pixels
RAM	2 GB
Battery	2600 mAh
Processor	Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615
CPU	Quad-core 1.7 GHz
Internal Storage	16 GB
Expandable Up to	64 GB
Front camera	5 MP
Rear Camera	13 MP
Price	Rs. 30,499

The handset is available online at the company’s official India e-Store in black, white and gold colors.

February 17, 2015

Unboxing | Lava Iris X1 Grand | Hands On

Indian smartphone brand Lava recently brought out their new offering in the sub-Rs.10,000 market in the form of the Iris X1 Grand. This is a successor to the Lava Iris X1 that the company launched in the May of 2014. We unbox the device for you.

The device looks like an elder sibling to the Iris X1. It sports a 5-inch display with a resolution of 480×854 pixels. The power button is located on the right while the volume rockers are placed on the left. The flip cover provided with the device has markings on it which lets you manipulate the volume without opening the case.

In the Box you get:

Lava Iris X1 Grand Handset
In-ear Earphones
Charger and USB cable
Flip cover
Screen Protectors
Information booklet

The Iris X1 Comes along with a free Flip case and screen protector.

The device runs Android KitKat 4.4.2, out of the box, but it promises a guaranteed upgrade to Android Lollipop 5.0 which makes the deal attractive for the price. There aren’t a lot of bloatware on the device and the interface felt snappy and responsive.

Lava offers a free flip case with a round opening in the front which looks “inspired” from LG G3. The case is magnetic, so the screen shuts off when the case is on. You get quick access to the phone log, messages, music, settings and camera from the round screen so it would come handy when you are on the move.

The Lava Iris is priced at Rs. 6,500 which along with all the freebies such as flip case and the screen protectors makes it a bargain. Overall, the Lava Iris X1 Grand felt great in its first impressions, and we’ll take the device to task in our in-depth video, so stay tuned for that.

Specs	Lava Iris X1 Grand
Operating System	Android 4.4.2
Screen Size	5.0 inch 480×854 pixels
RAM	1 GB
Battery	2200 mAh
Processor	MediaTek MTK6582M
CPU	Quad-core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage	8 GB
Expandable Up to	32 GB
Front camera	2 MP
Rear Camera	8 MP
Price	Rs. 6,500

February 10, 2015

Unboxing | Samsung Galaxy A3 | Hands On

Samsung has been expanding the new metal frame design in its product portfolio. They recently unveiled low-cost Tizen based Z1 also flaunted the new design element. The company has launched two new mid-range devices called the Galaxy A3 and A5 that take the classy metal-based design forward.

On the looks front, the device looks classy and has a pocket-friendly size. The 6.9 mm thickness of the device coupled with metal frame makes it feel robust, slim and outdoorsy. The placement of the headphone jack and the microUSB port on the lower end might feel troublesome to a few users. The main camera has a prominent bulge on the back. The design features do seem reminiscent of iPhone 5S kind of styling.

The display of the device is quite a disappointment for its price. It has a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels with a pixel density of 245 PPI. At a time when sub-Rs.10,000 devices are featuring 720p HD displays, the A3’s display is definitely a downer.

In the box you get:

The Galaxy A3
Earphones
Charger + Cable
SIM Removal Tool
Information Booklet

In terms of performance, you get almost the same output as the Galaxy A5. The TouchWiz UI running on the device is a simplified version so you won’t get the Flipboard application on the left of the home screen. Samsung has also kept away bloatwares from the device which is a plus for the device.

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At the price of Rs.20,500 the low resolution display and low specs does make this device feel overpriced. We’ll delve in deeper into the Galaxy A3 and its bigger sibling the Galaxy A5 in our upcoming full review, keep checking iGyaan for more.

Specs	Samsung Galaxy A3
Operating System	Android 4.4.4
Screen Size	4.5 inches Super AMOLED 540 x 960 pixels
RAM	1.5 GB
Battery	1990 mAh
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 410
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz
GPU	Adreno 306
Front camera	5 MP
Rear Camera	8 MP
Price	Rs. 20,500

At 4.5 inches the Galaxy A3 is pocket friendly.

February 5, 2015

Unboxing | Samsung Galaxy A5 | Hands On

With the launch of the Galaxy Alpha last year, Samsung attempted a new metal frame based design philosophy that also influenced their last major flagship, the Note 4. Samsung recently launched the A3 and A5, which are based on the same design elements, but come with a mid-range price tag. We unbox and take a look at the new Galaxy A5 from Samsung.

Except for their display sizes, both the A3 and A5 look identical. There is nothing on the top as both the microUSB slot and 3.5 mm jack are placed on the lower end. On the right, you have the power button along with two SIM slots out of which the bigger slot can be used as a microSD card slot. On the left, you have the volume rockers and staying true its, ‘Samsungness’, the main button sits at the center below the display along with the capacitive touch buttons. The pearl white color of the device is fantastic.

In the box you get:

The Galaxy A3
Earphones
Charger + Cable
SIM Removal Tool
Information Booklet

The devices are marketed as selfie and camera friendly and hence provide instant access to the camera from the lock screen. The touch felt responsive, and there were minimal lags in the time of use. The Galaxy A5 has a 1280×720 display which is a dissapointment as Samsung could have easily provided a Full HD display at the price.

The Galaxy A5 comes for a price of Rs. 25,500 and has more to offer than its younger sibling; the Galaxy A3. Stay tuned for the full review of the devices only on iGyaan.in.

Specs	Samsung Galaxy A5
Operating System	Android 4.4.4
Screen Size	5.0 inch HD Super AMOLED 1280×720 pixels
RAM	2 GB
Battery	2300 mAh
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 410
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz
GPU	Adreno 306
Front camera	5 MP
Rear Camera	13 MP
Price	Rs. 25,500

Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 1 — The A3 and the A5 Compared : The A5 being the larger variant

February 5, 2015

Hands On with the New Tizen-Based Samsung Z1

Android has taken over the market share and is widely available across multiple brands. Companies like Samsung, LG, Motorola and a lot of other companies have greatly benefitted from the Google’s open source operating system. But several electronic giants are attempting to come out of Android’s shadow and set up their own operating systems.

Samsung is attempting to break free from Android’s dominance with its homegrown Tizen OS. Samsung had already inducted Tizen in its Gear family of smartwatches and now they have launched the first phone based on the OS.

We got our hands briefly on the new Samsung Z1 which is the first phone based on the new operating system.

The Samsung Z1 totally looks like something that came out of Samsung’s stable. It has recognizable features including the physical button at the center. The phone has a metal-like casing that along with the polished back panel gives it a premium feel.

The Z1 is being marketed as a multimedia device and offers multitude of content through its tie-up with hungama.com and live tv options like BoxTv. But it comes with a 4-inch WVGA display that doesn’t feel adequate for a complete multimedia delight. The bit that is appreciated is the expandable storage option which is up to 64 GB; an amount great for multimedia hoarders.

Tizen OS looks and feels like the TouchWiz UI

Tizen OS looks and feels like the TouchWiz UI on Samsung’s Android devices. The only thing missing is the app drawer. The drop down menu too looks exactly the same as TouchWiz UI with similar setting options. It will be familiar interface for anyone switching from an Android device or upgrading from a feature phone into a smartphone.

Samsung claims most of the major apps are available on Tizen OS

The company has attempted to bring features from its higher end devices on Z1 like the ultra power saving mode, which up until now has been available on premium handsets like the Galaxy S5 and Note 4. It also offers 500 MB of free data plan with Reliance and Aircel for six months.

Overall, in the brief amount of time we spent with the device, we were excited to see Samsung trying to bring something new to its consumers. The device still falls short of competing with products like the Redmi 1S and the Moto E but is still a good effort. The company said that they will be refreshing their line-up of devices over the future and we would like to see where the new path leads Samsung.

January 14, 2015