Gionee Elife E8 has more to it than its 24MP camera

With phones becoming smarter by the day, it has become possible for us to replace most of our other gadgets with this 5-6 inch small device, the smartphone. One of the most vied achievements of the phone makers has been to be able to replace a camera’s presence with a smartphone in our lives.

The latest to enter this race is Gionee, which announced its flagship killer, Gionee Elife E8, with a 24MP primary camera. The slide below gives us some idea of the device in terms of what all it comes with, including specifications, indicative price and other key offerings.The camera is sure the highlight. One might wonder whether Gionee is being too ambitious by offering a camera brimming with so many pixels. Well, we do want the smartphone makers to be ambitious and raise the bar every time they release a device, however it should not be without substance. What guarantees those perfect clicks in a camera is not just the number of pixels it captures but also the size of the pixel which is determined by the camera sensor.

Here Gionee hasn’t revealed much about its sensor, which again makes us wonder about the quality of images that the 24 MP would produce. However, other features of its optical system, like the dual LED flash, six element lenses with Sapphire glass, image stabilization, phase detection, autofocus and 3 times zoom facility, do add to its credibility. Also, a glance over the specifications makes us realize that, at this price range, Gionee has much more to offer than just great clicks. Moreover, a large phablet size screen, which though makes the device a little heavy, is presented in a classy sleek colour. The CPU, OS and battery of the device have remarkable potential to provide smooth functioning of the system.

Furthermore, the device delights us with a good internal storage capacity, which is further expandable. Another main highlight of the device is its finger print sensor, which in a way also justifies the cost. Considering the above factors, we realize that Gionee is offering a lot more than its peers in the same range, hence making it totally worth giving it a try.

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Moto G (Gen 3) vs Lava Iris X5 4G: CGG3 Protection vs Superior Selfies

If Lava Iris X5 4G highlights the power of 4G in its communication, Moto G (Gen 3) makes a special mention to its water resistance advantage. However, despite different value propositions, both the smartphones share one thing in common, and it is their effort of offering high-end features at affordable price points. What merits this comparative review is their comparable price points and also nearby launch time. In this review, we compare the two devices to see how they stand up to each other.

Design

Let us start with what strikes the eyes first, the colour. Moto G (Gen3) is available in standard black and white colour variants, where as Lava Iris X5 tries to be a little different with its icy white and royal black colour range. In overall physical terms, Moto G measures 142.1x72.4x6.1-11.6 mm and weighs 155grams, where as Lava IrisX5 measures 141.6x70.8x7.6mm and weighs 128grams. In hand if Moto G feels a bit fattish, curvy and a bit heavier device, Lava Iris invokes somewhat flattish and lighter feel. The sleek appearance of Lava Iris X5 looks elegant but the variation in the curves of Moto G’s entire body looks different and unique.

Display

The 5 inch display screens of both the devices come with HD resolution (720x1280) and pixel density of 294 ppi, making the visual experience at par with each other. However, the display of Moto G stands out with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Lava Iris X5 on the other hand has entrusted the display safety to Asahi Dragontrail Glass, which has a pristine finish. Here it is imperative to note that CGG 3 comes with native damage resistance technology, which makes it 40% stronger in terms of scratches and durability.

Performance

Moto G (Gen3) is powered by 1.4 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) processor and Lava Iris X5 runs on 1.3 GHz Quad Core (64 bit MediaTek) processor, which indicates that Moto G has an edge over Lava Iris at this front. With its Operating System (OS) Android Lollipop 5.1.1, Moto G retains the slight edge over Lava Iris which comes in slightly older version of Android Lollipop 5.1 technology. Also, Moto G comes in two RAM variants i.e. 1GB (8GB storage) and 2GB (16 GB storage). However, Lava Iris X5 offers only 2GB RAM option with 16 GB in-built memory. In both the devices, you can expand the memory up to 32GB with the facility of a separate micro SD card slot.

Additional Features

Both Lava Iris X5 and Moto G (Gen3) offer 13 MP primary/rear cameras for an outstanding photography experience. The f2.0 aperture in their back cameras ensures the entry of more light, resulting in brighter images. For your selfies, Lava Iris gives you a better deal with its 8MP secondary/front camera in comparison to Moto G which has 5MP secondary camera. But, in Moto G, you also get High Dynamic Range (HDR) that enables the capturing of brightest and darkest shades in a particular frame, which looks quite similar to what you see in real life. At the battery front, Lava Iris X5 has a 2500 mAh Li- Po battery to give you a talk time of more than 24 hours, where as Moto G is not far behind with its 2470 mAh battery.

X Factor

Identifying the needs of the current generation, both the smartphones have come up with something unique to flatter their target audience. Moto G boasts of its water resistant feature under IPX7 technology, which means, you can use the phone even in a rainy weather. On the other hand, Lava Iris X5 highlights its compatibility to the 4G network; with that internet speed in your hand, you can get an amazing experience of surfing, uploading, downloading and a lot more on the internet.

Conclusion

Going by the specifications, we note that the differences between the two devices are minor. They have comparable display screen size, resolution, RAM, expandable memory option, and primary cameras, and both are 4G network compatible. However, Moto G (Gen3) has the advantage of CGG3 protection, slightly higher version of the OS and processor. On the other hand, Lava Iris X5 has the advantage of superior secondary camera, which means better selfies, and slightly higher battery capacity. Moreover, in the Indian market, while Lava Iris X5 4G is available at around Rs.10,750, Moto G (Gen 3) smartphones start at around Rs.12,000 onwards.

In the end, the choice is between more expensive, slightly bulkier Moto G with CGG3 protection and sleeker looking Lava Iris that promises better quality selfies.

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Micromax Yu Yuphoria has an edge over Lava Iris Alfa L

The smartphone market is only getting competitive. Each smartphone maker is eyeing to grab a larger share of the ever-growing market by finding new ways of differentiation in its devices. Two recently launched devices Micromax Yu Yuphoria and Lava Iris Alfa L are similarly competing to get the attention of customers. Therefore, we have decided to compare the two devices to make it easier for the customers who may be considering either of the two devices.

Micromax Yu Yuphoria (142.38x72.96x8.2mm; weight 143g) is all new pocket friendly device that has a sleek buffed steel body and is available in back colour and champagne gold with white colour. It has a full HD 5 inch display screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and screen resolution of 1280x720. The mobile device spec detail includes 64 bit 1.2 GHz Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 processor that is paired with 2GB RAM and Adreno 306 GPU. It comes with 16 GB in-built storage with the possibility to expand the memory using micro SD card (32GB).

Yu Yuphoria runs on Android Lollipop 5.0.2 based Cyanogen Mod 12 OS and comes with app themer that permit the user to customize the display of the device. It has a 2230mAh battery that offers a Talk Time up to 7 hours which might not sound sufficient for heavy mobile phone users. The Smartphone is 3 times scratch resistant and has a 67 percent screen to body ratio. In the Indian market the device is available at around Rs.7000 and offers a good package deal for any mobile user looking for a good smartphone.

On the other hand, Lava’s newly launched Iris Alfa L is an ‘app’ packed device. With a dual-SIM and FOTA (firmware over the air) support, this Android Lollipop 5.0 based smartphone comes with 1GB RAM, is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core mediatek processor and has IPS Capacitive Touchscreen. The user of Lava Iris will get 8GB of built-in storage that comes with expandable feature via microSD card (up to 32GB). The battery capacity of the phone is 3000 (mAh) that offers talk time on standard battery of up to 22hrs 6min (2G) and 13hrs 15 min (3G).

Lava Iris Alfa, priced at around Rs.8000 onwards, is for those looking for smartphone with a bigger screen (5.5 inch; resolution- 960x540) and in-built app features. It comes with an offer to download music from Hungama Music app free of worth Rs.2000. Along with this there is Truecaller premium app and the phone is loaded with Adaptxt keyboard app that is compatible with 11 Indian local languages. The smartphone is made for those looking for a phone with larger screen size and longer battery.

Micromax Yu Yuphoria has a 1080p video recording along with an 8MP primary camera with LED flash, Omni vision sensor with f2.2 aperture and 5MP front snapper with 4P lenses, 86 degree wide angle lens and f/2.0 aperture. Lava Iris, on the other hand, has 8MP primary camera LED flash and a 2MP front-facing camera.

Both the smartphones are android devices that support dual SIM and have Bluetooth features. They both have audio connector ranging 3.5 mm. When it comes to connectivity options those looking to buy Lava Iris Alfa L can get features such as 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Micro-USB, A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, and FM radio. On the other hand, Yu Yuphoria supports all the connectivity the user is expecting from a flagship device such as dual SIM with dual standby, 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and a lot more.

Lava Iris has built-in application like Google Talk, YouTube, Gmail, Google Search and Google Play. But this phone does not have a FM Radio, a feature that Yu offers to its user. Lava on the other hand supports music formats such as MP3, 3GP, AMR, WAV- Video formats: 3GP, MPEG4, AVI. Yu comes with limited support with music formats such as AAC, AMR, MID, MP3, OGG and WAV.

It can noted that Micromax Yu Yuphoria offers bigger RAM, larger storage, GG3 protection, higher resolution, and more powerful front camera. On the other hand, Lave Iris Alfa L comes with larger display screen, higher battery capacity, and a processor that offers slightly better clock speed. In addition, Lava also packs in many Apps. At the price front, both the devices are almost comparable, with Micromax having slight advantage. In overall terms, we think Micromax Yu Yuphoria has an edge over Lava Iris Alfa L.

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Obi Worldphone SF1 steps into world's leading smartphone markets

Silicon Valley is the meeting place of world's most innovative technology and breath taking art. From the heart of the valley, Obi announces it’s unique range of smartphones under the master brand Obi Worldphone. Considering that the global legends like John Sculley and Robert Bruner of Apple fame have come together to envision, design, build and launch this range, we most certainly have to check Obi's flagship, the Obi Worldphone SF1, where SF stands for San Francisco and number 1 represents the first in series. This flagship device of Obi Worldphone had its global launch in San Francisco followed by regional releases in East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand), Middle East (Dubai, Saudi Arabia) and lately in India as well.   

In today’s hyper competitive smartphone market, the company claims that its mission is to bring beautifully designed, technologically superior smartphones, priced at an exceptional customer value. If this sounds like what you need, let's find out what this device really brings.

A design to stand out from the rest

With our phone becoming part of what we wear and carry, we also want it to reflect our unique style, choice and comfort. Even then, how easy is to discover and mould an original, unique design in a small utility device like smartphone? Well, Obi seems to have raised the bar here. A custom User Interface (UI) with original and authentic silhouettes as expected of Ammunition Group, where every detail and curve is carefully crafted to make the piece a class apart and instantly recognizable as Obi Worldphone.

Particularly, SF1 comes in the timeless classic black hue, with metallic accents and a unibody compose, with “Designed in San Fransisco” stamped right behind. The fiberglass-reinforced body has accents made of an alloy of Titanium and Aluminium. The High Young's module makes it less prone to bending. The premium of having an oleophobic, anti fingerprint and UV coating saves our time on keeping it new, clean and scratch free. It has an elevated floating screen experience, emphasizing on a more engaged interaction with what we see and do with our smartphone.

However, if you happen to be a smart, busy and, somewhat, clumsy person like me, your eyes would go looking for strength and durability. Thankfully, SF1 is built with Corning Gorilla Glass (GG4), the toughest in category to protect the display (It is important to note here that even iPhone6 has CGG3). The raised screen is placed with a special gasket for protection. The architecture is such that the metal end plates at the top and bottom are more likely to hit the ground before the glass and they have been designed to take the impact, so that we are ready to take knocks better, and explore life in style!

Read More: iPhone6 vs Obi Worldphone SF; It's specifications vs brand

SF1 comes with a rich and sharp display

With an eye for detail and expression, the smartphone screen gives a good 5 inch display, as is common and demanded in smartphones now a days. The dimensions are 146*74*8.1mm, giving it a sturdy look. The screen is equipped with High Definition (HD) 1080 X 1920 pixels, which means richer colour and sharper details with 443ppi in cell Display. To make you feel right in the middle of your movie experience, the device has Dolby 5.1 discreet channels of high fidelity surround sound. Having a secondary microphone helps in noise cancellation, so that you can communicate neat and be heard clear-cut no matter where you are.

A phone that runs on eight engines

Coming to the roots of the device, Obi’s SF1 processes on Qualcomm MSM8939 64 - bit Snapdragon 615 with 1.5 GHz Octa-core clock speed. This is a good speed, but there is more to it, especially considering that not only your smartphone should perform matching your pace but also save on power where you are taking it easy. Although the Snapdragon 615 is octa-core, it is not just eight cores. It is actually four fast (1.7GHz) plus four not-so-fast (1GHz) cores. As a result, the system shifts to the slower, less power-hungry, cores when there is no load, and back again smoothly when there is. The benefit is both performance and power saving. This is not yet common in smartphones, therefore, Obi’s SF1 sure comes with an advantage. The Adreno 405 GPU 64 bit in turn provides first class HD gaming experience due to its support for both 2D and 3D games, giving you both compatibility and performance. The phone operates on Google's, Android 5.02 (lollipop) software, hence all Google Play store supported applications run on Obi Worldphone.

SF1 comes loaded with softwares and storage choices

Beside Obi custom user interface, other softwares include Swiftkey, Accuweather, Clean Master, MS Office, AVG Anti virus and a lot more to come! To support all these there is a well planned option for either 16GB internal storage with 2GB RAM or 32 GB internal storage with 3GB RAM. Along with this it has a micro SD slot for an expandable memory upto 64 GB, hence we are never short of space. The DDR3 RAM and eMMC 4.5 ROM is the fastest possible option for the given processor, plus 15GB cloud storage on Google. The quick charge feature in 3000 mAh battery power supports phone life for 20 days standby time, upto 28 hours talk-time, 10 hours video playback time and a delightful 100 hours of music playback.

A camera that is supported with authentic hardware

Most importantly, with 13 Mega Pixels rear camera, 5 Mega Pixels front camera with LED flash on both sides powered by Sony Exmor IMX214 Sensor, SF1 is actually a professional camera in the palm of your hand. Not only it ensures superb lowlight photos, but in high density resolution too. The f/2.0 Aperture allows a good amount of light to fall on the lens to capture a sharper image. One can capture a scene with everything in focus or refocus the image taken as it is never too late, zoom to read text, click photos in low light as layered flash will not ruin the photo's brightness, texture, color or take split second perfect focus even in the sun. Capturing RAW images always allows higher quality photo, as it does not compress the photo like in JPG, BMP etc. formats. Touch focus, face/smile detection, panorama HDR. Video 1080p@30fps, Ubifocus, Chrome flash and optical zoom assist us to capture timeless memories and selfies, perfectly forever.

SF1 covers most of the networks

The network reach and communication features GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) /WCDMA (850/900/1800/1900 Mhz)/HSPA+ /4G LTE (FOD B3 1800 MHz and TDD B40 2300 MHz). The device supports Dual SIM (Micro and Nano, WLAN direct Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Dual band. Blutooth (v4.0 A2DP) and GPS with GLONASS. GLONASS is known to provide faster and accurate fixes, especially in EMEA, Asia and North America. The phone comes with a custom designed charger and a micro USB data cable (v2.0) to connect further. The brand upholds a standard one-year warranty in most markets. The phones are built by CK Telecom Limited, a leading mobile phone ODM/OEM provider in Heyuan, China.

Obi Worldphone SF1 takes smartphone experience to next level

Ammunition has designed Obi Worldphone from concept to completion. SF1’s industrial design, user interface (UI), superior features and packaging, everything is aimed at user experience, as if this stylish device is built to bring out the connection between the smartphone and its owner. With this combination of beauty and power, Obi aims to serve customers around the world. However, the most interesting aspect is the price tag (App. USD200-250), which actually makes one think as if the company is tactically underrating the device, as if this beauty deserved to cost more. Moreover, Obi promises to push the limits of smartphone experience by working to bring in more softwares and plans to sell its own line of accessories soon.

Well, SF1 most certainly brings some fresh air of Silicon Valley in the global smartphone market in terms of class, originality, display, camera, sound and battery life at an exceptional price. With its mission to fuel the dreams of those young and upbeat, we see every reason that the device would be able to attract attention across the markets. On the whole, to the great customer delight, Obi Worldphone SF1 seems to have raised the overall quality bar for the price point it comes in.

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Sony Xperia E4 Dual vs Xiaomi Mi 4i: The Winner is Clear

Calling Xperia range as ‘designed to inspire and built to last’, Sony presents the devices in hand as powerful tools to explore, discover and learn. On the other hand, Xiaomi emphasizes the high quality and performance of its devices and introduces an element of exclusivity by adding ‘just for fans’.Irrespective of the way two companies want their devices to be perceived, it is clear that both of them aim to deliver the best at moderate prices. Therefore, it is important to compare Sony Xperia E4 Dual and Xiaomi Mi 4i to find out which of the two makes for a better deal.

Look & Feel

We begin with the design features of the two devices. Sony Xperia E4 Dual measures 137x75x10.5mm and weighs 144g, whereas Xiaomi Mi 4i measures 138.1x69.6x7.8mm and weighs 130g. In general, Xperia is a relatively broader and thicker looking device and with its rounded shape and textured surface gives a sturdier look. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has a relatively sleeker body that may be more comfortable to hold in hand. Also, Xiaomi has used finely textured and matte-sprayed material for resistance to fingerprints and grease. It matte back cover is smooth to the touch and feels great against skin, and fits just right and bendsseamlessly across the sides to meet the front display. Furthermore, while Xperia is out in only black and white, Xiaomi is available in black and white including various other trendy shades like orange, light blue and pink.

Display

On the display front, both the devices come with a screen size of 5 inches, but there is significant difference in pixel resolution that has implications for the quality of images. The Xiaomi device produces 1080x1920 pixel resolution and has a pixel density of 441 pixels per inch whereas the Xperia device comes with only 540x960 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 220 pixels per inch. It is obvious that in terms of crispiness and sharpness, the quality of images produced by Xperia would be somewhat lesser in quality than that of Xiaomi.

Performance

Xperia E4Dual is powered by Mediatek MT 6582 1.3Ghz Quad-core processor, where as Xiaomi Mi4i is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 1.7GHz Octa-core processor. Xiaomi has definite leg up over Xperia on several counts. Firstly, Mi 4i runs on Android 5.0.2 OS whereas Xperia E4 runs on a slightly older version Android 4.4. Secondly, Mi4i comes with 2GB RAM, which is double of Sony E4 that has 1GB RAM. Thirdly, with 16GB internal storage, Xiaomi is clearly ahead of Xperia E4 that comes with 8GB internal storage. However, it is note worthy that out of the two devices only Xperia provides expansion of storage through MicroSD card up to 32GB. Still, on the whole, Xiaomi leaves Xperia way behind at the performance level.

Additional Features

Camera has become an integral part of smartphone users lives. Moreover, given the love of people for selfies, a good camera can become a key to success easily. Once again, Xperia E4Dual, with its 5MP (rear) and 2MP (front) cameras, lags behind Xiaomi mi 4i that boasts of 13MP (rear) and 5MP (front) cameras. Furthermore, on the battery front, while Xperia has 2300 mAh battery capacity, Xiaomi takes a lead with its 3120 mAh battery capacity. Other add-ons like WiFi, FM, Bluetooth and GPS are available on both the devices. In terms of connectivity, both the SIM cards of Xperia support only 3G Network, while Xiaomi’s dual SIM supports 3G, 4G and 4G LTE networks depending on the market.

Concluding Remarks

We note that Xioami Mi 4i out shines Xperia due to its more advanced OS, bigger RAM, larger internal storage, superior cameras and longer lasting battery. There are distinctive design elements to consider too, such as overall size, shape and the color options to choose from, however, they could be a matter of individual preference.

Last but not the least, we also looked at the price tag on leading Indian e-commerce sites, where Xiaomi Mi4i is priced at around INR12,999 and Sony XperiaE4 Dual is at INR11,290. In spite of slightly higher price, we think Xiaomi offers a much better deal than Sony Xperia E4.

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OnePlus2 Says Something Bold, But Without A Headset

OnePlus started in 2013 with a vision of launching a superior device, a device that could enhance users’ experience of technology. With OnePlus 1, the company experienced success and created for itself a mass following. In its endeavor to become a leading player in the smartphone market, the company has come up with a slogan - Never Settle - and has launched another device, OnePlus 2. Given all the guesswork that was on before the launch, in this review we try to find out how closely the new flagship phone from OnePlus has lived up to peoples’ expectations.

The One Plus2 features indicate the urge of its makers to innovate. Considering the outer body, Plus2 measures 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm and weighs 175g. Well, for some the device may be a bit heavier and thicker, considering that getting slimmer is the larger trend. Still, for others, a device that marks its presence in the hand is a great idea. To catch the eyes, the company has come up with the style swap range that allows you to play with the looks without altering the form factor of Plus2. So with its sandstone black variant one can add different textures offered by the company.

OnePlus 2 has a 5.5 inch display screen that comes with the added protection of Corning Gorilla Glass. With 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080) pixels resolution and the pixel density of 401 pixels per inch, the device promises great viewing experience to its users with sharp and clear images. Furthermore, the device is energized by 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 1.8 GHz Octa-core CPUs and GPU Adreno 430. Plus two runs on Oxygen OS based on Android 5.1 which is meant to improve the user experience.

 

Source: bit.ly/1Ubywm1

The device is accompanied by 13 MP primary and 5MP secondary camera which is distortion free. The camera is enhanced with 6 lenses and laser focus to avoid distortion and color aberration. The device is loaded with features like autofocus, Optical image stabilization,and an f/2.0 aperture, which gives your picture a power to showcase your craft. Well, a device with contemporary technology might have appeared handicapped if it wasn’t supported with equally powerful battery. One Plus2 comes equipped with a 3300 mAh LiPo battery.

Furthermore, this china-based company had made their device an easy to carry computer where storing data has no limits. The device comes in two variants – 4GB RAM/64GB Memory for INR 24,999 & 3GB RAM/16GB Memory for INR 21,062 approx. Considering that smooth performance and viewing experience is becoming increasingly the choice, OnePlus2 is likely to get the attention of many.

To ensure hassle free data storage and exchange, the device comes with Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi and USB type - C charger that will not only power up the device but also help exchanging data from PC. The device supports two nano SIM cards. To go well with their OnePlus cardboard, the company has loaded sensors like Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity and Ambient Light to bring the theater experience closer to the smartphone users.

As the company leadership has been saying, the OnePlus2 does have something bold to say, especially the OnePlus cardboard that adds on to the experience of looking at the device. However, if one is looking for the same pleasure for the ears, one needs to buy the headset separately. Considering that headset is a must for every smartphone user, OnePlus somewhat disappoints by not delivering the headset along with the device. All that you will find in the box is one USB type-C Cable, OnePlus2 USB power adapter and OnePlus2.

Interestingly, we note that the device is out with almost the same features that were being predicted in the gossip circles before the launch. The device will be out in market from August 11 on Amazon.

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Gionee Marathon M3 vs Lenovo A5000: The battle of battery and memory

In spite of fast paced innovation in the smartphone technology on all fronts, there is one front where innovation has been rather slow, and this is battery. Moreover, with millions of apps and so much more to do in a smartphone, it is really hard to figure out what battery size would be ideal for a smartphone. Two Chinese brands are battling out in Indian market with their devices, Gionee Marathon M3 and Lenovo A5000, that boast of having 5000 mAh and 4000 mAh battery size respectively. In this comparative review, we examine what all these two high-battery devices come with.

Source: bit.ly/1OBiePQ

Design

The style and design is not much distinctive with a simple candy bar design. While Gionee M3 comes with dimension 144.50x71.45x10.40mm and weighs 180g, Lenovo A 5000 has slightly slimmer and lighter body with dimensions 140x71.4x9.98 mm weighing 160g. Largely made of plastic, Gionee Marathon carries a massive non removable battery inside and is available in black and white variants. On the other hand, Lenovo A5000 is madeof polycarbonate plastic and non-sticky fingerprints materials and is also available in black and white variants. However, a relatively slimmer design and light body with rounded edges makes this device comfortable to hold.

Display

The display screen size of both Lenovo A5000 and Gionee Marathon M3 is 5 inch, which allows for better visual experience. Both devices have IPS LCD capacitive touch screen with 16M colours and offers a resolution of 720x1280 pixels HD with 294 ppi pixel density which is very sharp, clear and detailed. The viewing angles are pretty decent and the sunlight legibility is also fine. Therefore, on the display front, the performance of both the devices is pretty much the same.

Performance

Both Marathon M3 and Lenovo A5000 run on Android 4.4 Kitkat. However, Gionee has tried to give their device a distinctive look by creating their own skin Amigo UI layered on top of the OS. Both devices have a MediaTek MT6582M 1.3 GHz Quad-core processor, coupled with a 1 GB RAM. However, nowadays with the bombardment of mobile apps 1 GB RAM is considered to be a ediocre feature. In daily use, both device works fine and do respond to tap and swipe instantly. Both the devices are configured with 8GB of internal memory, which is expandable upto 32 GB in Lenovo A5000 and 128 GB in Gionee M3 via MicroSD card, which provides Gionee an edge over Lenovo.

Battery and Camera

Battery life is the USP of these products where Lenovo A5000 comes with 4000 mAh battery and Gionee Marathon M3 with a whooping 5000 mAh battery. Lenovo gives a talk time of 35h (2G) and 17h (3G). On the other hand, Gionee M3 gives an outstanding talk time of 51 h (2G) and 32 h (3G). Both devices have an 8 MP primary camera and a 2 MP secondary camera. The camera quality for both devices is decent capturing HD videosand images. Even the 2 MP front cameras perform well when it comes to taking selfies. Both the devices areequipped with features like geo-tagging, face detection and Panorama Shot.

Connectivity and other Features

Both Gionee Marathon and Lenovo A5000 are dual-sim phones, which support 3G. Addition to that both the smartphones have Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, 3.5mm audio jack, accelerometer and proximity sensor.

Conclusion

We note that both the devices are pretty much comparable on most of the indicators. Nevertheless, Gionee takes a definite lead on two counts i.e. expandable memory and battery. This reflects in price, where Gionee Marathon M3 is available at around Rs.10,500 and Lenovo A5000 at around Rs.10,000. However, Lenovo has been in Indian market for a longer period and has built some brand image. Therefore, it would be a challenge for Gionee to beat Lenovo in this segment.

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Lenovo K80 Simply Outshines Asus Zenfone 2

Asus and Lenovo moved many eyelids across the globe when they announced smartphones with 4GB RAM. Lets’ find out how the two first 4 GB Devices i.e Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML and Lenovo K80 compare with each other. 

Starting with dimensions Asus Zenfone size is 152.5x77.2x10.9mm and it weighs around 170gm, where as Lenovo K80 is 150.0x77.2x8.50mm and weighs 158gm. However, there is no difference in the display screen size and quality as both the devices come with 5.5” Full HD (1080p) IPS LCD capacitive touch screens. Both the devices run on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system (OS). The most important feature is the 4GB RAM that allows both device for faster switching between various applications. In the sea of similarities the only distinguishing factor is the slight difference in the processor where Asus Zenfone acquires a slight edge in processing capacity as it powered by Intel Atom 2.3 GHz Quad-Core processor that offers a slightly better clock speed than Lenovo K80 which is powered by Intel Atom 1.8 GHz Quad-Core processor. Both devices have 13 megapixel rear cameras with LED flash and 5 megapixel front cameras with a fixed focus.

As far as connectivity is concerned both have Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/g/b/n/ac), Bluetooth v4.0 and dual SIM slot. In terms of connectivity, both devices are available in 2G, 3G and 4G, depending on the market. In the Indian market, Asus Zenfone is priced at around INR23,000, where as Lenovo K80 is around INR17,000.

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With Four Detachable Lenses, India's iBall is Force Moving Eye Balls

iBall, an Indian company, entered the smartphone business in early 2000 and has acquired a name for its quality products in the budget segment. The company has launched another interesting product last month. iBall mSLR Cobalt 4 is a device that has been applauded for having some distinctive features, particularly 4 detachable lenses, only for INR 8500.

As the name suggests, mSLR, the mobile SLR, allows its user to capture better quality images with better zoom and LED Flash that makes the picture clearer in dim lights. The device comes with different lens attachments like an 8x zoom lens, macro lens with magnification (10x), fish eye lens and wide-angle lens (130 degree). Each lens comes with a distinctive quality that helps in enhancing the quality of the photos taken.

To make the life easy the gadget is accompanied by a lens clip and back panel for lenses that makes clicking tension free. The clip has a screw mount on one side, while the other side has a rubber casing to ensure that the screen does not get damaged. The additional lenses accompany a front top for security from dust, organism, fingerprints and smirch. But, iBall neglected to feature a similar lens cap for the back, so you have to supplant and convey the lenses deliberately.

In general the device is accompanied by enhanced 8MP primary camera with LED flash and an enhanced 3.2MP secondary camera with soft Flash. Other than the distinctive lens feature, iBall mSLR Cobalt 4 is powered by Octa Core 1.4 GHz Cortex A7 advanced processor and runs on Android 4.4 KitKat OS. Furthermore, the device has 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage capacity expandable up to 32GB with microSD card. Cobalt 4 comes with 5 inch display screen size with resolution qHD 960x540 pixels and 220pixel density, has capacitive touch screen. Also, the device comes with battery capacity of 2000 mAh. The device is available in black color, with a metallic bronze strip on both the sides that enhances its aesthetic appeal. The good built quality of polycarbonate makes it comfortable to hold the handset in hand and adds to the style statement of the user.

In terms of connectivity the handset supports Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, Bluetooth, USB Internet and FM with recording facility. The device comes with a data cable that will not only charge the handset but trading data from PC and charging other gadgets will become hassle free. The Audio jack provides the facility of changing radio channels, controlling volume and connection and disconnection of calls without touching the device that makes it easier for those who talk for long hours on phone and enjoy jingles of life.

This dual SIM device support GSM with 3G HSPA with a speed of 21Mbps Downlink and 5.7 Mbps Uplink. Also the device comes with sensors like G - sensor, Proximity sensor, and Light sensor. Taking all the above details in account the device fit in for those who love to see the world in still mode where even the minor detail of the image is visibly neat, clean and sharp. On the whole, iBall mSLR Cobalt 4 is a reasonably decent product that can give competition to others in the same price segment.

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Obi Wolverine S 501 Challenging HTC Desire 210 in Kenya

HTC has made a strong market base in Kenya by introducing mid-range smartphones to high-end smartphones. On the other hand, Obi Mobiles, a company co-founded by John Sculley, ex-CEO of Apple and Pepsi Co set its foot in the Kenyan market in March this year. In spite of being new Obi Mobiles stands a good chance to give HTC a tough competition. To be specific, in this review we are comparing HTC Desire 210 with Obi Wolverine S501 to see what they have to offer in the price tag, say around, KSh 9,000.

Look & Feel:

The biggest difference that we note in the first look is the style and the design. While HTC Desire 210 comes with dimension 125.7X65X10.5mm and weighs 130g, Obi Wolverine S510 has relatively bigger body with dimensions 144X73X9.6mm and weighs 167g. On the whole, HTC 210 is smaller, lighter but also relatively thicker looking device than Obi’s Wolverine. Desire 210 has a metallic body with color variants like black, white and red, on the other hand, Obi Wolverine comes with elegant white and striking black, leather-like cover thus protecting your device from cracks and scratches and adds value to your personality.

Display:

The display screen size of Wolverine S510 is 5.0 inch, offering significantly larger visuals than Desire 210 which has a 4.0 inch screen. Even though the screen type of both the devices comprises of TFT technology with capacitive touch screen, Obi Wolverine has an edge over HTC as it has TFT IPS which provides better color reproduction and greater viewing angle. Furthermore, Obi Wolverine takes a slight lead on the screen resolution with 480X854 pixels providing better display clarity in comparison to HTC’s 480X800 pixels screen resolution. On the whole, Wolverine has a definite leg up over Desire on the display front.

OS and Processor:

HTC Desire 210 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jellybean paired with MediaTek MT6572M 1GHz dual-core processor, whereas Obi Wolverine runs on relatively more advanced Android Kitkat 4.4 operating system packed with MediaTek MT6572M 1.2GHz dual-core processor that gives an accelerated performance. On the performance front too, Obi’s Wolverine acquires an edge over HTC’s Desire 210.

RAM and Storage:

RAM and internal storage is a matter of concern if you are looking forward to many apps and games. Both the devices are configured with 4GB of internal memory, which is expandable upto 32 GB externally. However, Obi Wolverine might impress you more with its 1 GB of RAM in comparison to HTC Desire 210 which comes with 512 MB RAM, about half of the former device. Double the RAM means Obi’s Wolverine will ensure faster performance and run applications relatively more smoothly.

Camera and Battery:

HTC Desire 210 has been designed with 5MP primary camera and a VGA secondary camera which over time has gone out of fashion. On the other hand, Obi’s Wolverine comes with a 5MP primary camera with a LED flash ad is placed in the middle of the device and a 0.3MP secondary camera for selfies. Both the devices are equipped with geo-tagging feature, however, Wolverine additionally comes with features like face detection and Panorama Shot. On the whole, Obi once again has a slight leg up over HTC. On the battery front, both HTC Desire210 and Obi Wolverine S501 have removable batteries with 1300mAh and 1500mAh battery limit respectively. However, Desire 210 offers talktime upto 9 hrs and standby time upto 260 hrs whereas Obi Wolverine gives you talktime upto 6 hrs and standby time upto 180 hrs. While Wolverine has a larger battery capacity, the claim of talk and standby time puts HTC Desire ahead of Wolverine.

Connectivity and other Features:

Both HTC Desire 210 and Obi Wolverine S501 are dual-sim phones, and both the SIM supports 3G in both the devices. Both the smartphones have WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, 3.5mm audio jack, accelerometer and proximity sensor in common.

Conclusion:

We note that while both the devices are comparable on several accounts, there are some differences too. Obi’s Wolverine has a relatively more advanced OS and processor, secondary camera, larger display and double the RAM, whereas HTC Desire claims longer talk and standby time. The price in the Kenya market also works in favour of Obi Wolverine which is around KSh9000 in comparison to HTC Desire 210 marked around KSh10,000.

However, with a certain brand value, HTC Desire 210 may appeal to those looking for a more handy, smaller looking device, and are not constrained by funds. Where as Obi Wolverine would appeal to those keen on better visual experience while watching videos and playing games, better quality selfies and some style statement. On the whole, we note that other than specific brand priority and design preference, Obi’s Wolverine is a better investment considering the specifications and the price tag.

Features / Specifications	HTC Desire 210	Obi Wolverine S501
Dimensions (mm)	125.7 x 65.00 x 10.5 mm	144.00 x 73.00 x 9.60mm
Battery capacity (mAh)	1300	1500
Battery Talk Time(hrs)	Upto 9 hrs	Upto 6 hrs
Battery Standby Time(hrs)	Upto 260 hrs	Upto 180 hrs
Colours	Black, White, Red	White, Black
Screen size (inches)	4	5
Resolution	480x800 pixels	480x854 pixels
Processor	1GHz  dual-core	1.2GHz   dual-core
RAM	512MB	1GB
Rear camera	5-megapixel	5-megapixel, Autofocus
Flash	No	Yes
Front camera	VGA	0.3-megapixel
Operating System	Android 4.2	Android 4.4.2
Price	Around KSh 9,999	Around KSh 9,000

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OnePlus 2 gets the gossip circles going

After a long wait, OnePlus has finally announced that its second leader smartphone, OnePlus 2, will be releasing on July 28. In an official discussion post titled OnePlus 2: The World's First Product Launch in VR, Carl Pei, co-founder OnePlus, stated that the organisation needed to break barrier with the dispatch in a virtual reality occasion. The occasion will commence at 7pm PT (7:30am IST) and will be live gushed the world over. The company will be launching the device in 3D VR.

Unlike never before, OnePlus 2 will be dispatched in a manner where the world will not view the release but actually experience it. For this virtual launch, OnePlus applauds Google Cardboard for advancing the dream of bringing VR to homes far and wide. Imitating the Google Cardboard item, the Chinese smartphone maker has thought of OnePlus Cardboard, which is based on Cardboard 2.0, but with some notable improvements.

With the intention to push VR technology and make it more accessible, OnePlus is giving away these cardboards for free. The device will be wrapped in this cardboard and sold at the price of the gadget, without any extra charges. Beside the excitement created by 3D VR, the company is revealing the details of OnePlus 2 a tiny bit at a time to build the curiosity among the potential customers.

It is worth noting that OnePlus 1 continues to be an intense rival to several steady brands in the smartphone industry. Therefore, a lot of guesswork is going on in the market about OnePlus 2. As such, the company has confirmed that the forthcoming device will have USB Type-C integration, Fingerprint scanner and v2.1 of Qualcomm's top-end versatile processor, Snapdragon 810. The USB Type-C is a reversible charger that can be utilized both for exchanging information from PC and for charging different devices. This was feature not in OnePlus 1.

If we go by the pictures leaked by GizChina and Fonearena, the device appears elegant and feels solid with somewhat larger screen that may run between 5.5" and 5.7". The device may have the same shades of OnePlus 1, sandstone black and milk white. There is also buzz about OnePlus 2 having higher resolution than OnePlus 1, whose resolution is full HD 1080x1920 pixels. It may jump to QHD 1440x2560 pixels in OnePlus 2, with the pixel density improving from 401 to 445 pixels.

Furthermore, Snapdragon 810 onboard OnePlus 2 might be coupled with 4GB of RAM and a 3300mAh battery capacity. The new device is expected to address the issues raised with Plus 1, which had come with 64 GB inbuilt storage with no scope for expansion. Therefore, OnePlus 2 is expected to provide a slot for SD Card. Moreover, it may retain the Cyanogenmod 11S operating system, but run on company's own Android 5.0 Lollipop-based build. Moreover, International Business Times has reported that the new device may come loaded with 16MP primary (rear) camera and 5MP secondary (front) camera.

Furthermore, to enhance the 3D VR experience the device will be combined with Compass/ magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light Sensor and Barometer followed by pre-loaded games and applications supporting the OnePlus Cardboard. However, all these are speculations, only waiting to get officially confirmed by OnePlus. Guess we’ll have to wait for the virtual reality launch scheduled for 28^th July.

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