Intex Aqua i-5 review

While Intex has been making feature phones for a long time, it was only recently that it forayed into the smartphones segment. The company is currently offering 12 mid-segment smartphones under its Aqua range and has drawn out plans to launch 20 more smartphones in the coming quarter. The company is also gearing up to promote its smartphones with a new marketing campaign that suggests that it's serious about selling them.

The Intex Aqua i-5 is yet another budget Android smartphone, with which the company promises to deliver a feature rich package at an economy price. Does it have what it takes to stand tall in a segment dominated by the likes of Micromax, Karbonn, Xolo and Spice? We try to find out in our review.

Design/ Build
Over the last couple of months, we've seen a deluge of large screen (5-inch and onwards) phones from Indian handset makers and a number of them look identical bearing the same form factor, design elements and even materials. The Intex Aqua i-5 is not really much different except that it's slimmer compared to other budget smartphones in the market.


The phone is 8.8mm thin and weighs 155 grams but doesn't feel very bulky. The phone comes in Black and White colour variants and we got a Black one as our review unit.

The front of the phone features a 5-inch display with the three capacitive touch buttons, namely Back, Home and Menu located just below it. Strangely, the Menu button is marked like the 'Task switcher' button that we see in stock Android and HTC's recent Android phones. Also, the markings of these navigation buttons are not visible when the phone's backlight is off.

The earpiece, a 2-megapixel front camera lens and the sensor array are all placed above the display, along with some Intex branding. A chrome frame separates the back cover and the front panel.

The power/ screen lock button is located at the right hand side of the phone towards the top, which is a little inconvenient. We feel it could've been positioned a little bit lower. The button appears to be made of chrome plated plastic and does't offer good tactile feedback. The volume rocker key is located on the left-hand side at almost the same position.
There are no ports at the bottom while the Micro-USB port and the 3.5mm headset jack sit at the top of the phone.

The back features a removable cover that sports a glossy finish and is susceptible to smudges. The 12-megapixel rear camera lens is located towards the upper side of the back and protrudes out a bit. A small round LED flash is located just next to it. There's some more branding and a speaker outlet towards the bottom.

Opening the cover reveals a battery compartment, above which are slots for a conventional SIM card, a micro-SIM card and a microSD card. You'll need to remove the battery to swap SIM cards.

Display
The Intex Aqua i-5 comes with a 5-inch qHD IPS screen that has a resolution of 540x960 pixels and pixel density of 221ppi, which is decent, and graphics and text appear sharp, although a 720p screen could have taken it to the next level. The viewing angles looked good. However, it's difficult to read or take pictures in sunlight, as the screen is extremely reflective. Videos and pictures looked good and colours appeared natural.
User Interface/ Software
The Intex Aqua i-5 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the latest iteration of the OS at the time of penning this review. Intex has skinned some UI elements of the OS and also offers a second theme that offers a different icon set. Even the default theme that offers stock icons has undergone some changes with Intex choosing a White colour for the status bar and the notifications tray and the Settings menu. 

You also get lock-screen widgets, an Android 4.2 feature. You can choose from the Clock, Camera, Gmail, Google Now and Messaging widgets in addition to widgets offered by third-party apps installed on your phone. These widgets offer glanceable information from the apps and allow users to perform certain app actions even when the phone is locked.

There are seven customisable home screens that can be filled with app shortcuts and widgets. The notification tray also features a settings shortcut and a clear all notifications button, along with expandable notifications (expanded with the two-finger pull gesture). It features the same setting toggles shortcut that's found in stock Android and adds some of its own as well, for quick access to Airplane Mode, Battery status, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Data connection, Data usage, Audio Profiles, Brightness, Screen backlight timeout and Auto rotation.
Camera
The Intex Aqua i-5 comes with a customised Camera app and allows you to capture photos in HDR, Face beauty mode, Panorama modes, Auto scene detection, and best shot modes in addition to an EV bracket mode for taking multiple exposure photos. The app also comes with the usual controls including settings for Exposure, Colour effect, White balance, Scene Modes and ISO, among others. The phone's camera also supports continuous shots taking up to 16 shots in that mode, smile detection and face detection. Some of the options in the camera app's interface are not self-descriptive which makes it a little unintuitive for new smartphone users.
The 12-megapixel autofocus camera takes good quality images in daylight. However, we observed that pictures taken in low-light conditions did not come out well. Pictures taken indoors with less light were also a little grainy. Colour reproduction was pretty accurate though.

The phone can record HD videos and we found that the quality of videos captured through the back camera was good. It also offers EIS or Electronic Image Stabilization to minimize distortions caused by shaking of hands while shooting a video. Unfortunately, the camera saves videos in the archaic .3GP file format.
Performance/ Battery Life
The Intex Aqua i-5 is powered by a 1.2GHz Mediatek MT6589 quad-core processor. It has 1GB RAM onboard, and PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU. There is 4GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card.

With Android Jelly Bean, the overall experience of navigation through the interface was impressive, thanks to Project Butter and the phone's quad-core processor. We did not experience any lag while launching apps, playing games, scrolling web pages or switching between apps.
However, we were not able to play full-HD clips and the phone did not support formats like .MOV natively, though third-party apps available on the Play Store easily fixed that. The speaker on the phone delivers decent quality sound at high volume levels, but there's some muffle when the phone lies on its back, as the speaker grill is located at the back. The sound output is also a little low compared to other smartphones reviewed recently. The headphones that come with the phone offer average quality sound output. The phone also offers FM Radio. It also offers Audio Profiles to quickly switch between different sound settings.

Call quality was good, during our testing process, however, we experienced issues using 3G data. We tried using two different SIM cards, a micro-SIM and a conventional SIM card of two different networks, but experienced intermittent connectivity while using 3G data for browsing.

The phone was able to get a GPS lock rather easily while using the Maps app.

The phone comes with a 2000mAh battery, and based on our experience, it will last you a full day with medium to heavy usage, including 1-1.5 hours of phone calls, two email accounts with push notifications, screen at maximum brightness, playing some music and video clips, Twitter notifications and WhatsApp chats. It's also worth pointing out that we had Wi-Fi and auto-brightness turned off and the phone was hooked to a 3G network. Altering these settings might help in running the phone for a longer duration, depending on your usage pattern.

Verdict
The Intex Aqua i-5 is a decent option if you're looking to buy an Android smartphone that costs less than Rs. 12,000, offers a quad-core processor and runs the latest version of Android. Intex is offering a flip cover and screen guard along with the phone, making it a complete value for money proposition.

However, the Aqua i-5's QHD display is a little inferior compared to 720p display of the likes of Zen Ultrafone 701HD.

Another issue we're concerned about is the phone not getting a reliable 3G connection in areas where other phones with the same SIM card were able to latch on to a 3G network. The phone was constantly switching between 3G and EDGE.

Price: Rs.11,690

Pros

• Good build quality
• Good performance
• Runs Android 4.2

Cons

• Low resolution qHD screen
• Problems connecting to 3G network
• Power key does not offer good tactile feedback

Ratings (Out of 5)

• Design: 3.5
• Display: 3
• Camera: 3
• Performance: 3
• Software: 4
• Battery Life: 3
• Value for Money: 3
• Overall: 3

Samsung Galaxy S4 mini

If Samsung's Galaxy S4 is more phone than you think you need, the electronics giant has just offered up the smaller, more midrange -- and surely cheaper -- Galaxy S4 Mini.
Like a decaffeinated beverage, Samsung is hoping to give its lighter smartphone much of the same S4 taste with just a little less oomph. Although the Mini has stepped-down specs compared with its flagship family, like a lower-resolution screen and an 8-megapixel camera instead of a 13-megapixel shooter, it's no slouch when it comes to the Galaxy S4's core features, like a built-in TV remote control.
As with the Galaxy S3 Mini that came before, this version is aimed more toward the mass market than the high-end sector. Here in the middle, the Mini plays the role of the lower price option compared with the marquee Galaxy S4, without sacrificing too many of the superphone's more-defining features.
The CNET crew got hands-on time with the smaller smartphone in London at the June 20 launch event, and at Samsung's simultaneous shindig in New York. Here's how it stacks up against the original Galaxy S4.
Importantly, the Galaxy S4 Mini runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean underneath its TouchWiz layer. Custom interfaces like TouchWiz are notorious for stalling Android update efforts, so starting at such a current OS build is crucial for keeping a phone like the S4 Mini from falling behind the times.
With TouchWiz comes a mountain of software embellishments, like more one-touch system settings in the notifications pull-down and options like Air View, which produces an onscreen cursor when you wag your finger close to the screen.
Samsung hasn't told us exactly which extras will take root in the Mini, but it's safe to assume that it's an almost identical software build as the Galaxy S4's. Transporting its signature Galaxy-only abilities across devices is absolutely Samsung's style.
If software enhancements are your thing, the presence of these bonus features is one reason to pick the Mini over any other midtier device: you won't have the most powerful hardware, but you'll still hold onto features like Group Play, and Samsung's built-in apps. (For more on all these, check out this full Samsung Galaxy S4 review.)
We're most gratified to see the S4's IR blaster make its way onto the Mini. This little hardware bauble turns your phone into a TV remote control when paired with the WatchOn app. Top phones like the HTC One andLG Optimus G Pro share this soon-to-be living room staple, but the Galaxy S4 Mini will be the first of its class to also bail you out when your TV remote falls behind the couch.
As for connections and communications, Bluetooth 4.0 keeps the Mini current. NFC, which makes content-sharing possible with a tap, will make it onto LTE-enabled versions of the Mini. We're not sure why Samsung isn't including NFC in non-LTE Mini handsets, but it likely has something to do with cost control for different markets worldwide.

Performance
While it's tough to guess how well the Galaxy S4 Mini will perform all around the world, the specs do tell a promising story. First up, there are up to six bands for global LTE support, plus HSPA+ 42 speeds, and 3G and 2G fail-safes.
LTE-ready builds of the Mini won't come to every market, but if you've got LTE phones where you live, that's the version you should expect to see when and if the handset lands in a store near you. Otherwise, you'll get a 3G version of the phone, and, in some markets, even a dual-SIM device. The double-barrel configuration has its benefits, but don't hold your breath for a dual-SIM Mini to hit every country (sorry, US).
Now what about raw computing power? Unlike the superpowered quad-core or octa-core Galaxy S4, the S4 Mini will pack a 1.7GHz dual-core processor under its hood. That's completely respectable, depending on the chipset's make and model, and I'll guess that most people won't miss the Galaxy S4's high-octane gaming speeds.

Which to buy: Galaxy S4 or Galaxy S4 Mini?
Without pricing or availability details from Samsung and its global partners, it's hard to make a value judgment about which is the better deal. (We'll update this Galaxy S4 Mini First Take with that information as soon as Samsung loosens its lips.)
From the looks of it, the Galaxy S4 Mini has the ingredients to deliver a very solid smartphone experience at a more affordable price, though the screen quality and battery life could flag compared with the real S4 deal. More-serious mobile gamers and camera snobs should stick with the fully loaded Galaxy S4.
That advice also goes for anyone who consumes a large amount of reading and viewing material from the phone screen. The S4's, while fairly reflective, will still trump the Mini's lower-res display.
Still, if you like the sound of a surely less expensive device that keeps most of its key features, and you don't mind some toned-down specs, hold off for the moment until more information about the Mini pours in.

Sony Xperia L : Review

Verdict:

Surprisingly good value with superb low-light camera performance - an excellent Budget Buy handset

The Xperia L is Sony's mid-range handset for this year, slotting in under the powerful Xperia SP and flagship Xperia Z. It's currently fairly expensive on contract but, at less than £225 SIM-free, you get an awful lot of phone for your money.

The handset doesn't have a spectacular specification, but it all works well as a package. You get a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM and Android 4.1 - not much on paper, compared to the near-2GHz monsters we're now seeing on premium smartphones, but we've no complaints about the handset's performance. Apps open and shut with a snap and animations are silky-smooth.

As we expected, the phone's performance in our Sunspider 1.0 JavaScript benchmark wasn't spectacular. It completed the test in 2,646ms using the default Chrome browser, which is twice as long as we saw from the Xperia SP with its 1.7GHz dual-core chip. Chrome is slow in Sunspider, but even with the faster Dolphin browser we only saw 1,564ms, which is very much a middling result.

Subjectively, this average benchmark score didn’t make much difference to the phone's web browsing performance. The Maps app glides smoothly under your finger, and there's barely a hesitation while panning smoothly around web pages - only a barely perceptible slowdown when scrolling past a large image. When compared side by side with a Samsung Galaxy S3, the more powerful S3 had slightly smoother browsing, but there's not much in it.

You shouldn’t have a problem with gaming, as the Xperia L's processor produced a competent performance in the 3DMark benchmark. 4074 is a much better score than we expect to see from a phone at this price, and is up with much more expensive phones such as the HTC One X+. It's also quicker in 3D games than the Samsung Galaxy S3, showing you're getting better 3D performance than last year's premium handsets.

We were also impressed with the Xperia L's screen. Again, its 854x480 resolution is pretty standard for a phone at this price, and you have to zoom in to read text on web pages, but we saw bright whites and punchy colours. The Xperia L's LCD display doesn’t have the true blacks of an AMOLED screen, but blacks are still very deep. It's a high-quality display for a relatively inexpensive handset.

The phone's design certainly divided opinion in the office. In an era of slimmer smartphones, it's unashamedly chunky, with a large chin and a concave back with a pleasing rubberised finish. The phone's protruding edges make it feel like it would survive most tumbles, as the screen would be protected unless you dropped the phone straight on its face.

However, some weren't sure about the hard edges at the bottom of the handset, which can dig into your hand - we think it's something you'll quickly get used to, and is only really a problem if you're used to a phone with rounded edges such as the Galaxy S3.

prices at around 17000, it can be a good option competing with the likes of grand and lg optimus l9

Micromax Canvas 4 specs leaked

A week before the official unveiling, an online website has leaked out specs of Micromax's upcoming Canvas 4 A210 smartphone.

A source in contact with popular technology website AndroidOS.in has revealed that Canvas 4 would sport a 5.0-inch IPS HD 720p display powered by a 1.2GHz MediaTek MT6589 quad-core processor, which is very much similar to its predecessor A116 Canvas HD.

The website also revealed that the phone would ship with Android v4.2.2 out-of-the-box and house a 13.0-megapaixel main camera and a 5.0-megapixel secondary snapper on the front.

On the design front, the smartphone would feature a plastic back-panel case along with aluminum chassis around the lateral side. It is also reported to measure 8.9mm in thickness and weigh 145g. The next generation Canvas smartphone is expected to be priced between ₹16,000 and ₹17,000.

Considering the above report, Canvas 4 seems to be a moderate upgrade to its predecessor and if the above specification list leaked by the website does become a reality, it is most likely to disappoint many Micromax fans as the hype and marketing blitzkriegs by the company had created huge expectations for the upcoming phone.

Leaked specs of Micromax Canvas 4:

Model	Micromax Canvas 4 A210
Display	5.0-inch IPS HD 720p display
OS	Android v4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor	Quad-core MediaTek(MT6589) processor with 1.2GHz
RAM	1GB
Storage capacity	16GB, comes with microSD slot for memory expansion
Camera	Main: 13.0-megapixel camera Front: 5.0-megapixel camera
Battery	2000 mAh
Dimensions	8.9 mm thickness
weight	145 g
Add-ons	Aluminum chassis on the lateral side, with plastic back-panels
Price	expected to  be around ₹16,000 to ₹17,000

Samsung Galaxy Core

DESCRIPTION

The Samsung Galaxy Core will be a low- to mid-range model with a 4.3" WVGA display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor (possibly a MediaTek or something like that), 5MP camera and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. One of its more interesting features is that it will come in a Dual SIM variant, where the two SIM card slots will be able to remain active simultaneously. The Galaxy Core will come with the lovely TouchWiz Nature user interface and all of its useful features like Smart Stay, S Voice and Smart Alert, with the last one alerting you to missed calls and messages once you pick the phone up.

DESIGN

• Device type:
  • Smart phone
• OS:
  • Android (4.1)
• Dimensions:
  • 5.09 x 2.66 x 0.35 inches (129.3 x 67.6 x 8.95 mm)
• Weight:
  • 4.37 oz (124 g)
    the average is 4.4 oz (127 g)

DISPLAY

• Physical size:
  • 4.3 inches
• Resolution:
  • 480 x 800 pixels
• Pixel density:
  • 217 ppi
• Technology:
  • TFT
• Touchscreen:
  • • Multi-touch
• Features:
  • Light sensor, Proximity sensor

BATTERY

• Capacity:
  • 1800 mAh

HARDWARE

• Processor:
  • Dual core, 1200 MHz
• Graphics processor:
  • • Yes
• System memory:
  • 1024 MB RAM
• Built-in storage:
  • 8 GB
• Storage expansion:
  • microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC up to 64 GB

CAMERA

• Camera:
  • • 5 megapixels
  • Flash:
    • LED
  • Features:
    • Auto focus, Smile detection, White balance presets, Burst mode, Geo tagging, Panorama, Scenes, Effects
• Camcorder:
  • • 720x480 (DVD) (30 fps)
  • Features:
    • Video calling
• Front-facing camera:
  • • 0.3 megapixels VGA

MULTIMEDIA

• Music player:
  • Filter by:
    • Album, Artist, Playlists
  • Features:
    • Album art cover, Background playback
• Radio:
  • • FM, Stereo, RDS
• Speakers:
  • Earpiece, Loudspeaker
• YouTube player:
  • Yes

INTERNET BROWSING

• Built-in online services support:
  • YouTube (upload), Picasa

TECHNOLOGY

• GSM:
  • 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• UMTS:
  • 900, 2100 MHz
• Data:
  • HSPA (unspecified), HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS
• Multiple SIM cards:
  • • 2 slots
• Positioning:
  • GPS, A-GPS
• Navigation:
  • Turn-by-turn navigation

Conclusion

I personally feel that this phone will not move up to the expectations until a serious price drop..

This phone is good for 11000 bucks but at the moment it looks pricey...

better alternative can be Lenovo P770 ....