Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
GooGle Versus
eVenT Lenovo Z2 Plus vs
The Pixel era OnePlus 3
cometh? iPhone 7 Plus vs
Samsung Galaxy
S7 Edge
Chief
Speak
Debjani Ghosh,
Intel phone of the month
lenovo z2 plus
@mymobilemag
firstcall
M
illions of people use smartphones powered
Editorpage
by Android, the worlds most popular mobile
operating system. Android has changed the
eDIToRIAL
mobile phone market forever, ever since
the first smartphone running Android, the HTC Dream, Pankaj Mohindroo | editor-in-Chief
October also saw the launch of Apples new smartphones, Varun Lama | Sr. manager Human Resources
the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, in India. Although both
b. G. mathur | manager- Production
smartphones come at hefty prices and look similar to their
predecessors, but what really makes the iPhone so popular?
CIRCULATIon
Weve reviewed the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in this
Lalit Sharma | Sr. manager Circulation
issue. We also have an exclusive interaction with Debjani
Ghosh, Managing Director, South Asia - Intel Corporation,
one of the most influential persons in tech in Asia. We also ADVISoRY boARD
take a special look at Motorolas new Moto Z, the finest bejon misra
modular smartphone to be available in the market today. Rajan mathews
And then there are reviews of the Honor 8, Lenovo Z2 Plus, S.D. Saxena
Motorola Moto Z Play, Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro and many Subhash Chandra
more smartphones. And of course, there are responses to Sunil Dutt
your queries and letters. Sonu bhasin
Happy reading! n Uvaraj natarajan
The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors
and omissions contained in this publication, however caused.
Pankaj mohindroo The opinions and the views contained in this publication are not
necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to
eDIToR-In-CHIeF Follow Us: seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in
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Twitter
twitter.com/mymobilemag Volume XI, Issue X, noVembeR 2016
58
36
Style Notes 36 CHIEF SPEAK 92 Vinod Pandit and Amit Saxena
share their plans and
Debjani Ghosh, Vice
10 LETTERS President, Sales and strategies to get Lephone
12 NEWS Marketing Group, into the Indian phone
16 MOBILE DOCTOR Managing Director, South Asia, limelight
18 RUMOR MILL Intel, talks about the
113 MY GUIDE companys future plans and
42 PRODUCT FOCUS
strategy for India
Motorola just gave an all-
20 JUST IN
new life to-be-dead concept
We take a closer look at all new
FACE TO FACE of modularity with the
Honor 8 Smart, Xiaomi Mi Max
40 Rakesh Yadav and Fu Zan launch of Motorola Moto Z.
Prime, Asus ZenFone 3 Laser
Cheng of HGD India talks We take a detailed look at
and more
about companys thrust areas the device.
and future plans.
27 CELL SPEAK
What those who matter in the
44 EVENTS
54 Opera CEO Lars Boilesen, talks We look at the key
world of tech are saying.
about the brands vision, new announcement made
vistas and the importance of during Googles first
28 LEAD STORY Indian market hardware event,
We take a closer look at the and yes, the Pixel too.
latest update from Googles
camp, the Android 7.0 Nougat 86 Ubers head of engineering, 48 SNAPSHOT
coupled with some helpful tips Apurva Dalal, on the tech that Lenovo Yoga Book: A closer
and tricks, devices which will drives the company that has look at Lenovos latest
be getting the latest update become synonymous with cab innovation in the laptop
and more. apps. domain
113 100 88
RELIANCE JIO
ARRIVES
Will it change the Indian digital games that you guy review subscribed your magazine, travel which are not
landscape?
Versus
Digital Books vs Paper Books
and many a times I wait for not only do I get to know available in India. It saves a
The Fitness Band Face Off
you next edition to see about the newly launched lot of my time as the section
which game you have devices but the My Guide provides me with a list and
IPHONE
Tested
MANIA reviewed now. I try those section of the magazine saves me from all the
The new iPhones are here,
games and some turn out helps me explain the
Asus ZenFone 3, Fitbit
Charge 2, Titan Juxt Pro,
Gionee S6s, Coolpad
Mega 2.5D, Misfit
and so are iOS 10 and a
new Apple Watch. research work.
Shine 2, Intex
FitRist Pulzz, Acer
Predator 15 and
more...
PHONE OF THE MONTH
INTEX AQUA FISH be really good while others, customers which device is Archna Rastogi
@mymobilemag
OnePlus introduces online who is the Senior Vice President had bids worth over Rs. 20,000 the core team behind Apples
storeOnePlusStore.in in and President of Asia Pacific crores during the spectrum widely popular virtual assistant,
India and India of the organisation. auction. The second largest Siri. Viv was started by Dag
Sunil Lalvani has been bidder after Vodafone was Airtel Kittlaus and the company will
previously associated with with around Rs.14,000 crore. now be working for Samsung to
names like Blackberry, Nokia New in the telecom sector, create a virtual assistant like Siri
Corporation, EMC Corporation Reliance Jio also made an for the South Korean brand
amongst various others. impressive start by bidding for name. Samsung took over the
the key 4G airwaves for Rs. firm for an unknown amount
Chinese brand OnePlus has Jio makes world record by 13,672 crores while Idea and the information was
opened its online store touching 16m users in just 26 cellular won the spectrum of confirmed by the organisation
OnePlusStore.in in India. days worth 12,798 during the entire through a blogpost. The
Similar online stores by the A telecom venture by Reliance process. company wants to integrate
company are already present in IndustriesReliance Jio Vivs artificial intelligence
countries like USA, China and recently claimed that the Google wants to provide fast assistant in its Galaxy
UK. OnePlus will be only selling company has created a world Wi-Fi to everyone smartphones which will help
smartphone accessories on its record by crossing over 16 the company expand voice
online platform. The list of million users in just 26 days of assistant services to home
items will include, Tempered its operation. Jio- the telecom appliances and wearable
Glass Protector, Protective project which launched its devices. As per Samsungs
Cases, Flip Cover, Otterbox services in September came official, Viv should be able to
Case, Dash Type-C Cable, Dash along with a Welcome offer power a Samsung smartphone
Power Adapter and Dash Car which provided its users with Last year Google came up with by sometime in next year.
Charger for the OnePlus 3 and free data and calling services till an initiative where the US based
OnePlus Icons earphones. The December. The company also company provided free Wi-Fi at Ola now allows users to book
company is also offering various claimed that the initiative has a number of railway station in cab without internet
limited period offers through grown faster than any other India, now it looks like the
the e-store. The online store has start-up or telecom initiative company wants to expand the
also listed companys flagship around the world including project with the plans of
device- OnePlus 3 listed on the Facebook, WhatsApp and providing Wi-Fi not only to India
site but clicking on the link will Skype. Jio has introduced but to the world. The software Popular cab provider, Ola has
redirect the users to Amazon Aadhaar based paper free SIM major during the Second introduced what it calls an
which is exclusive online selling activation process in around Google for India event offline feature which allows
platform for the device. 3100 cities and towns which announced that the company is the users to book a cab on poor
activates the users SIM within planning to take the initiative to or without any internet
Qualcomm India President a few minutes. The initiative the next level and mentioned connection. The users can book
Sunil Lalvani quits which is already hitting that the project will be expanded an app by sending a location
Qualcomm Indias President, milestones is expected to grow globally. Google aims to bring message to the company, as
Sunil Lalvani who was even further in coming days. free internet connection to soon as the company figures out
associated with the company cafes, malls and all the other that the user is offline, Ola will
for just over a year now has Spectrum auction 2016 brings places under its newly launched send the user details of the
stepped down from position. government just Rs. 65,000 initiative known as Google driver, cabs and all the other
Lalvani had replaced Avneesh crore Station. The company plans to necessary information via SMS.
Agrawal who was working with The month of October witnessed extend the initiative in India by The app would use your
the multinational telecom and Indias largest spectrum auction providing free and affordable registered number and other
semiconductor equipment process. This years spectrum Wi-Fi before starting this information for billing with no
company for around 21 years. auction only managed to bring initiative in other countries. extra charges. The users can
No specific reason has yet Rs. 65,789 which is way lower pay with cash or by using Ola
surfaced due to which Lalvani than what was expected. Bharti Samsung takes over AI firm Viv, money. The feature is available
has stepped down but according Airtel and Vodafone emerged as the core team behind Apples on all types of rides including,
to a report by The Hindu top buyers followed by Idea Siri Micro, Mini, Prime and Lux.
Business Line, Lalvani quit Cellular and Reliance Jio South Korean name, Samsung
because of performance Infocomm. The highest bid has recently taken over the TRAI blames pol congestion for
pressure. Lalvani was reporting made by a company during the machine-learning virtual massive call drops
to Jim Cathey at Qualcomm process was by Vodafone which assistant firm, Viv which was Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India in a statement has with selected plans will be products on Facebook have to remain with the network
directed existing telecom extending to all the customers. Messenger through chats and for at least one year.
operators to meet quality of To avail the service the monthly messages. The verified
service norms and prepare a users will have to get a new merchants will have to sign up Intex to launch mobile wallet
compliance report. TRAI in the modem which will be charged with Shopify first. The service with mRuppee
statement mentioned that pol whereas the price of the monthly Messengers users will get to see The domestic technology brand,
congestion has resulted into rental packs will remain the a Shop Now icon on their Intex has recently announced
large failures of inter-operator same alongside the increased screen which will allow the its partnership with Tata
calls which is affecting the speed. The company has stated users to see the entire catalogue Teleservices Subsidiary,
interest of the consumer. The that both new and existing of items available for them to mRupee to launch its first
organisation issued the customers can book V-Fibre buy. mobile wallet service. Named
statement to protect the broadband service through as Intex MyWallet, the service
consumers interest. The Airtels dedicated website. Airtel offers iPhone 7 for will help users make payments
authority previously issued a Rs.19,990 with integrated payment
showcase notice to the operators Snapchat introduces glasses functionalities and
for call drops issues which were with built-in camera conveniences within the
exceeding the norm on Snapchat has recently handset. The service will allow
September 27 and also met the introduced its very first physical the users to recharge, transfer
officials of certain operators product Spectacles. money, booking trains, bus or
regarding the issue including Spectacles are glasses by movie tickets, shopping and
Bharti Aitel, Vodafone and Snapchat with in-built camera. more directly from the Intex
Reliance Jio and asked them to The spectacles come with a MyWallet. The company will
submit a daily call traffic data Snapchat integration and can also introduce a retailers portal
report. record a video of ten seconds. where the Intex retailers will get
The glasses come with a button opportunities to get higher share
Airtel introduces V-Fibre on the side which when pressed of customers wallet by offering
broadband service with will record short videos which retail assisted services of
unlimited voice calling can be uploaded on Snapchat recharges, bill payments,
as a SnapStory directly. The Bharti Airtel is offering the utilities and money transfer.
glasses are equipped with 115 newly launched iPhone 7 and
degrees lens wider than most iPhone 7 Plus at the price of Rs. Google Play Music Service
phone cameras and will allow 19,990 and Rs.30,792 launched in India
users to capture better videos. respectively. The telecom Google has introduced its Play
The new Snapchat Spectacles company will be providing the Music Store in India. The
are priced at $129.99 which is device on a contract basis with service which was available in
approximately Rs. 8,647. a minimum down payment. other parts of the world has
Under the offer, the organisation debuted in the country where
Bharti Airtel recently announced Now users can buy products will provide the users with a songs and albums are available
its V-Fibre broadband service in from Facebook messenger device under a new postpaid to buy. The service which was
the country. The initiative was without leaving chat space plan with free local and STD rumoured to launch back in July
introduced in Chennai and as Shopping platform, Shopify has calls, free roaming, and free was introduced at an event
per the company claims; the introduced a new feature that data (5GB, 10GB or 15GB, as where the company launched
service will be offering speeds will allow users to shop directly per the chosen plan). As per some apps and new features
up to 100MBps. The Super through Facebook messenger Airtels website the offer is specifically for Indian users.
fast broadband service will be chat without actually having to available only for the customers Although Google Play Music is
rolled out in 87 other cities in leave the conversation. Shpoify in Noida and Karnataka. In the available in India now but the
India in the coming weeks, had partnered with the social plan, iPhone for life, the subscription based service,
starting from Delhi-NCR and networking giant last year to customer will be paying the Google Play Music All Access is
Bengaluru. Along with the Shop sections on Facebook down payment whereas the rest still not available in the country.
introduction of V-Fibre Pages. Now the two organisations of the amount will be paid by With this initiative Google will
broadband service, Airtel are taking the partnership to a Bajaj Finance but the customers be competing with the names
announced that the unlimited new level where the shopping will not be allowed to port to like Apples iTunes, AItels Wynk
free voice calling service which platform is offering its another network while the Music amongst others. n
was earlier available for users merchants a chance to sell their contract lasts and the customers team@mymobile.co.in
Samsung has even publicly I want the best smartphone one camera is generally
apologised for the Galaxy out there in the market, used to capture a normal
Note 7 fiasco. and cost is not an issue. photo while the camera
Should I go for an Android capture all the details
I want a good smartphone or an iPhone and which are and then the software
mainly for the purpose of the best options in there? intelligently merge both
browsing the Web, emailing Amit Mishra the photos, giving you
and social networking. My It all boils down to your much sharper and detailed
budget is Rs 10,000. I preference. Both the photos.
want to go for the new Moto operating systems are
E3 Power but some people amazing in their own What is stock Android? Why
I have a budget of Rs are suggesting that I should right. In Android you get are people so impressed by
20,000 and I want a phone buy the Redmi Note 3. a plethora of apps and it and why is it important?
that has a good display Which is the better option? sharing content it easier Diksha Parashar
and very good battery life. Priya Dhawan, Mumbai on this platform, while in Stock Android is the purest
Which phone should I go The budget smartphone iOS you get a secure and version of Android given
for? market is full of choices, encrypted ecosystem plus by the Google itself. Most
Ravi Taneja, New Delhi so I can imagine your you get faster updates of the manufacturers adds
Keeping the budget and as compared their own customisation
your requirements in mind, to Android. If to the latest Android
I would suggest you to get you love to use version released by
the Lenovo Z2 Plus. Not Android then I Google, but in the case
only does the smartphone would suggest of stock Android, there
look appealing, it is that you should is no modification in the
powered by a 5-inch FHD go with Samsung software meaning that you
display, Snapdragon 820 Galaxy S7 Edge are getting the version
processor, 4GB RAM and or else if you Google releases for its
64GB of non-expandable want to go for an own range of devices. In
internal storage. The device iOS device then stock Android, there are
is powered by a 3,500mAh Apple iPhone not many bloatware apps,
battery, meaning it should 7 Plus would meaning you are getting
last a full day on a single be a good clean interface which does
charge. For Rs. 19,999, option as it not much RAM and is
Lenovo Z2 Plus is likely optimised enough to
to get the most give a delightful
bang for your experience to its users.
buck. Stock Android devices
is equipped with generally work faster than
I have been some hardware others. n
hearing a lot of coupled with
new about Samsung dual camera Is your mobile phone
phones exploding. setup. acting strange?
Does this mean I should situation right now. Both Email your queries at
avoid buying Samsung smartphones are decent in I am seeing a number of team@mymobile.co.in
phones for a while? performance, but if I had to devices with dual camera and our mobile doctor
Rahul Chopra, pick one, Id have got the set ups. What is so special Arshdeep Singh will
Bengaluru Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. The about them and are they suggest remedies for
No, not at all. Samsung is device comes with some better than single cameras? your ailing device.
a renowned smartphone superior specs as compared Kiran Mathur
Disclaimer: The views
manufacturer, so dont to Motorola Moto E Power With a dual-camera setup
expressed by Arshdeep
yet write off the company. and does have an edge in you have the advantage
Singh are his own and
And in case of the Galaxy terms of design language. If of getting a photo with
do not necessarily
Note 7, something went you are comfortable buying greater details, sharpness
coincide with those of
terribly wrong, hurting the it then Xiaomi Redmi Note and clarity than a single
My Mobile.
companys brand image. 3 is best-suited for you. camera. In dual camera,
Talk in Tech
Corners
Samsung working on that the Galaxy Note 7e could cost about also includes a magnetic clipboard that
Rs. 25,000. We expect to hear a lot attaches to the Yoga Book for taking
the Galaxy Note 7e? more about Samsung Galaxy Note 7e in notes and record your creations. The
Samsung has been facing a tough time
coming days. Any takers? Yoga Book comes in two variants: one
lately, ever since the Galaxy Note 7
that runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow,
fiasco shook the whole tech industry.
The Galaxy Note 7 debacle would cost Lenovo Yoga Book gets and one that runs Windows 10.
the company about $5.3 billion, and a release date
more importantly, Samsungs reputation At IFA 2016, Lenovos Yoga Book was Intel to launch a
has come under the scanner, something praised for its innovative approach to wearable device for
that should worry the worlds largest make a tablet device more productive. rural India
smartphone maker. For most people - Its a little fascinating machine, and is Intel has always been known for trying
the Galaxy Note 7 is dead. And there probably coming to India next month for to bridge the digital divide and is com-
is a little chance that Samsung even Rs. 38,000, sources tell My Mobile. The mitted to work closely with the govern-
bring the Galaxy Note 7 to the market lightweight 2-in-1 folds out to reveal ment to make India digital. Sources
again. Evidently Samsung is working on two panels, one with a 10.1-inch FHD tell My Mobile that Intel is working on
a phone that might be a low-cost variant display, and another that Lenovo claims a new wearable that will be aimed at
of the Note 7, dubbed the Galaxy Note to be a virtual halo keyboard that rural population. Unlike a regular smart-
7e, sources tell My Mobile. Apparently learns of its own, based on the typing. watch, Intels wearable will help people
the alleged Galaxy Note 7e is believed to The Yoga Book comes with a working to detect the levels of Carbon dioxide
be made from leftover Note 7 materials. stylus thats shaped like a pen. It can in the air, and is targeted at rural India,
Samsung hasnt even said the device be used in two ways: use a digital stylus where a lot of women rely on biomass,
exists, however, My Mobile believes that on the tablets touch screen and the such as fuelwood and charcoal for cook-
the Galaxy Note 7e might get released in other is an ink nib to create notes on ing, risking their health. There is no
India before the end of the year. Weve physical paper, which can be converted word on the exact release date. n
also learned from our trusted sources into digital notes on the screen. Lenovo team@mymobile.co.in
Honor 8 Smart
The other Honor 8
H uaweis sub-brand, Honor launched the new
Honor 8 Smart at an event in India on October
12, alongisde the companys new flagship, Honor 8
and the Honor Holly 3 (under the Make in India
initiative). The Honor 8 Smart is being seen by many
as a slightly watered down (in spec terms) but far
more affordable version of the Honor flagship, which
won rave reviews for its design and perforemance.
Taking a look at the specs-sheet, the Honor 8
Smart sports a 5.2-inch full HD (1920x1080
pixels) display and is powered by the
companys own octa-core Kirin 650 processor
clocked at 2GHz. It has 2 GB of RAM and 16
GB of onboard storage which can be further
expanded using a microSD card -in both
regards it is second to the Honor 8, which has
more RAM and storage to spare.
On the camera front, it features a 13-
megapixel rear camera with Sony IMX214
sensor (no dual camera here, unlike the Honor
8 and the Huawei P9), 5P lens and F/2.0
aperture and an 8-megapixel front facing
snapper with BSI and a 4P lens for selfies
and video calling. It comes with camera
features like professional mode, beauty
mode, food mode, time-lapse and slow-
motion feature. It is backed by a 3000
mAh battery and runs on Android 6.0
Marshmallow and the companys
EMUI 4.1 on top of it. The Honor 8
Smart is stacked with connectivity
options like Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth,
NFC and 4G LTE. It is also accompanied
by a fingerprint sensor at the back of the device
which claims to unlock the device in 0.5 seconds.
The Honor 8 Smart comes with a price tag of
Rs.19,999 in black, white and gold colour variants.
As we said, it is a more affordable variant of the
Honor 8. n
team@mymobile.co.in
Quotes
We are disappointed that the amount of the
recommended penalty that has been imposed is very
large amount for the operators. The TRAI has made
some recommendation to the Department of Telecom
(DoT); the DoT will obviously review this in the context
of the licence conditions and then take a call...
Rajan Matthews,
Director-General, COAI, speaking to CNBC-TV18 after
TRAI had recommended a penalty of Rs 3050 crore on operators in the
Reliance Jio interconnectivity controversy
Limelight
ANDROID
GOES
NOUGAT
THERE IS A NEW VERSION OF ANDROID IN TECH TOWN.
AND AS USUAL, INTEREST IS HIGH ABOUT JUST WHAT IT
BRINGS TO THE TABLE AND WHETHER IT MARKS A NEW
CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLDS MOST POPULAR
MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEM. AND OF COURSE, THERE
IS ALSO THE USUAL DEBATE ABUT JUST WHEN DIFFERENT
DEVICES WILL GET THE NEW OS, IF INDEED SOME EVER WILL.
SO AS ANDROID GETS A NOUGAT FLAVOUR, ANUJ BHATIA
TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEW OS, WHAT IT OFFERS
AND THE DEVICES THAT ARE RUNNING IT.
T
hese three words: data, cloud and fragmentation problem. In this issue, it is all
mobility sums up the digital world about Android 7.0 nougat - Googles latest version
where we live in. In the age of digital of Android. nougat has been made official, and
transformation, where smartphones is a significant upgrade over marshmallow (better
have positioned themselves as a lifeline for billions known as Android 6.0). Google has continued
of people, communicating in the always-on, to refine its mobile oS - and one could notice a
always-connected, cannot be escaped. Perhaps number of small yet significant features in Android
which is why we are fighting over the future of 7.0 including the split-screen mode. The other big
Android, the mobile operating system that runs changes include the ability to reply to incoming
on the majority of connected devices, ranging messages inside the notifications. And there are
from smartphones to tablets to smartwatches. a ton of neat features that we are going to bring
Previously we had touched upon Androids you up to speed with.
It tastes good
THE LATEST VERSION OF ANDROID IS NOT ONLY FASTER THAN BEFORE
BUT SMARTER AS WELL. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY USERS MAY HAVE TO
WAIT FOR A WHILE TO GET IT.
A
ndroid 7.0 nougat is the devices confirmed to get the latest update. of marshmallows card-like approach.
latest version of Googles We have been running Android 7.0 nougat Alerts from the app cluster together,
mobile operating system, on a Google nexus 6P, and heres our final with colors and icons to distinguish from
used by billions of people verdict. between the different notifications. The
worldwide. It is faster, improves battery biggest change, however, comes in the
life, brings better notification system, Improved notifications form of quick reply functions. The quick
enables Googles Daydream vr, while notifications on Android were a bit reply feature will allow you to reply to a
allowing split-screen functionality for confusing, sometimes messy but they have message without the need to open
Android devices. nougat, however, does finally been improved over marshmallow. the app. Its quite handy for
not bring a visual Android overhaul. It still The notification center has been given text messaging or
looks the same. If you have used a device a major visual overhaul, which is a popular
running Android marshmallow. Despite welcome change. In Android 7.0 nougat,
Googles best efforts, Android 7.0 nougats notifications are flatter and wider, taking
reach could be limited, with barely a few the entire width of a smartphone, instead
Limelight
messaging services like WhatsApp and on the same screen. In Android 7.0 nougat, toggles. It reduces the number of swipes
Facebook messenger. it can be activated simply by pressing-and- required to turn off Wi-Fi, for instance.
Android 7.0 nougat lets you set priority holding the recent apps button. The multi- Whats more, you can even customise
levels for any apps notification. So, when window feature is particularly useful on any this area. Swipe down with two fingers and
you press-and-hold a notification, you can large screen-sized smartphone or tablet. touch the edit button. Then, youll be able
actually block all future alerts from the app. Users can drag the black bar in the middle to drag and drop the tiles whenever you feel
This could be particularly useful when you to change the size of the split, or remove it like it.
dont want to get unnecessarily alerts from altogether. It works really well (when tested
your network provider, or any app that on a nexus 6P), with most apps supporting Battery enhancements
continues to send multiple notifications split-screen mode. A few apps didnt work In 2015, Google introduced Doze within
in a day. smoothly in split-screen mode though. Android 6.0 marshmallow, a feature that
helped save the battery when the phone was
Multi-window Smarter quick settings not moving or in idle condition. In Android
manufacturers like Samsung and LG In Android 7.0 nougat, quick settings 7.0 nougat, Doze has been pumped up,
have added multi-window or split-screen have become more customizable. Above with the battery optimizations even when
functionality into their skins for quite notifications, when you swipe down with the phone is moving around in a pocket.
sometime, Google has made it a part of finger, you will see a row of icons for toggling So basically, when the screen is turned off,
nougat. The biggest reason why Samsungs features such as Wi-Fi, flashlight, screen nougat has more control over the phones
note lineup is so popular among the rotation, cellular data and battery. Its great battery, which enhances the battery life by
business community has something to do to see a set of fast options, without at least 15 per cent in case of ours when
with the way users can run two different expanding to access the tested on a Google nexus 6P.
apps side-by-side. even Apples ioS now full set of quick
supports multi-window feature. With Conclusion
smartphones getting bigger in size, it Googles Android 7.0 nougat is a great
is a great idea to run two apps software update. It brings some significant
simultaneously side-by-side changes like the quick-reply feature,and
the ability to control notifications. Android
nougat does support Googles ambitious
mobile vr platform, Daydream vr;
however, only a few new handsets will be
compatible including Googles Pixel lineup.
If youre using a nexus 6P or nexus 5X,
then you should definitely care about
Googles Android 7.0 nougat. You can
taste nougat, on the Pixel and Pixel XL,
as both the smartphones run Android 7.1
out-of-the-box. Its really a pity that Google
has not been able to address the issue
of Android fragmentation. nougat tastes
sweet - but not many people will be able
to experience it on their smartphones. We
will keep you informed on just who will be
able to get it on their phones inthe coming
days. n
Split Screen
o ne of the major highlights of Android 7.0 nougat is that now you can
open use more than one app in a single screen. Its very useful, in case,
you want to use two apps simultaneously. To activate split screen (or multi-
window feature), long-press on the recent apps button, open the app you
want to use on the top of the screen, then select the second app you want
Data Saver to use from the list. You can then drag the divider to resize the app. not all
apps support multi-window feature, but we found that most apps do. n
Limelight
DPI and Silence
font size Notifications
Clear all
recent apps
I n Android 7.0 nougat, you can clear all
the recently used apps by tapping on a
hidden Clear all button at the top of the
screen. When youve closed all your recent
apps, a new icon is displayed letting you
know there are no recent items to view.
Surely the feature is not revolutionary but
again its easy to clear used apps from the
recent apps list. n
ANDROID NOUGAT:
5 SMARTPHONES GETTING
THE NEW MOBILE OS
Huawei
ANDROID
NOUGAT COMES
T he nexus lineup may be dead and
it wont get revived in the future -
Nexus 6P but the nexus 6P still remains the one
WITH TONS OF of the best high-end smartphones in
the market. The Huawei-made nexus
IMPROVEMENTS 6P has a full metal body and although
AND NEW it doesnt come close to the Galaxy
S7 edge or the iPhone 6s Plus, the
FEATURES. smartphone gets thumbs-up for its
THAT COME 5.7-inch QHD LG v20 has a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4Gb of rAm, a
3,200mAh battery, a 16-megapixel rear camera with a 75-degree field of
POWERED WITH view and a secondary 8-megapixel camera. The front camera is rated at
5-megapixels. The eye-catching feature of the v20 remains the always-on
THE LATEST
second screen, a small area above the main screen that can display apps and
ANDROID notifications. The LG v20 promises to have great audio with LG is calling a
32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, for crisp audio. The v20 is first smartphone from
(NOUGAT) Googles partners to come with Android 7.0 nougat on-board. LG is rumoured
UPDATE. to launch the v20 in India before the end of the year. n
Limelight
Google Pixel
T he Pixel, one of the two smartphones, built by Google inside and out,
is an alternative to the Apples iPhone 7 and Samsungs Galaxy S7. The
5-inch FHD phone is made with an aerospace aluminum-grade body and
Corning Gorilla Glass 4 screen. Like the nexus 6P, the fingerprint scanner
is on the back to unlock the phone but also to access and scroll through
notifications. The Pixel has a 12.3-megapixel camera, featuring an f/2.0
aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots of light. As per Google,
the Pixels camera has been given a score of 89 by Dxomark - the industry
standard for camera and lense image quality - making it the highest-rated
camera phone in the market today. The Pixel comes with Google Assistant
built in, unlimited cloud storage for photos and DayDream virtual reality.
The Pixel will cost rs. 57,000 ( 32Gb) and rs. 66,000 (128Gb). n
In Conversation
NoveMBer 2016 | 37
In Conversation chief speak
a country with tremendous potential with a very long time. So far, system and a start-up eco-system which is so exciting the way it
we have not really acted on that potential. And its true not just for is building out and I think now it is going to go in the next phase
Intel, its true for everyone. We have never realized the true power of, where its going to get into serious development and I cant wait to
promise of that potential. At Intel there is a very very strong belief see what that phase looks like. And we have users who are finally
that we are now in that phase of transformation where finally that realizing that this is not just entertainment, there is much more
leap is going to happen and if doesnt happen now, it will never to it. So, it is all sort of coming together. Fingers crossed. We have
happen. Thats how we see it because right now everything is falling the networks getting built slowly but surely, so if it doesnt happen
in place. You have a Government that believes in technology, you now, it is never going to happen.
have a Government that really has laid out a very bold vision. Some
bother too much about how will this vision be met. I would rather If there is one thing you could do to make things happen faster, what
have a Government that believes in aggressive goals and fails in would it be? I just want everything to go as it is going. I dont want
meeting them than one which sets very conservative targets which to change anything. I really want it to go as it is going. And I just
really dont move the needle. And I am very clear on this and I think this is the right time where everyone just needs to get behind
think we have the eco-system coming together like never before. it and do whatever they can. especially from a media perspective,
everyone, whether it is the big guys like us, Cisco, Microsoft - do whatever they can to spread the word, make it happen. This is
everyone is committed to Digital India. We have a maker eco- not the time to critique. Critique by all means after two years or
three years or whenever but this not the time to critique. This is
the time to just, you know, when you are trying to push something
uphill, everyone used to go behind and give it one hard push so
that it goes. I think, the time for that is now where we really have
to come together.
In Conversation
position in developing the worldwide road map to 5G. And at the iBall leverage the technology that exists to create products that
last piece, the connected devices pieces, for us, we are looking at are customized for India.
the 50 billion potential of the devices out there.
I mean, data is the new currency. So when you look at the You mentioned iBall. Intel has also been notable for its work with a
devices that are going to generate the mammoth data, its the number of Indian brands, notwithstanding the assumption that many
automated cars, the automated factories and thats the future. So people make that real quality only comes from MNC brands... If you
thats what we are gearing up for. We are gearing up for the future. want disruption, you need people who can innovate fast. And
We are gearing up to ensure that we have a leadership role, not I think India needs disruption more than anything else today.
just leadership role in catering to future needs but we are under Positive disruption, thats what is going to shake up the market,
our Ceo and President, I strongly believe that we are playing a thats what is going to bring change. So this is where you need
strong role in creating that future and defining what that future quick movers and a quick mover can be a local brand, could be
looks like. And while we do all this, of course we will continue an MNC brand. You need people who can take decisions quickly
to work on the SoCs for phones and all that. But there is just so and really think and the one thing that I have seen in players like
much more out there. Micromax , iBall, etc., is they have their finger on the pulse of an
Indian consumer. They really know what Indian consumers need.
When we had met last year, wearables had been the rage. That And it is not just the oeMs but even someone like Flipkart or
particularly frenzy seems to have passed. What is your take on Snapdeal - they really know what gets consumers ticking, what is
wearables? It will evolve, it is too early. See, any category gets need. They are very quick in their ability to go address that need.
developed. May be first there is a hyped stage, but the sustainable Whether it is product innovation or process innovation and thats
growth one where you have identified the needs is what is needed. what causes the disruptions in the market. I am all for working
And that is the work we are doing in the wearables, to understand with any partner who is willing to disrupt. Innovate to disrupt.
where is the wearable really needed? Technology in India, if it Because without disruption you are not going to be able to swing
doesnt impact livelihood, it is meaningless. Similarly in the the needle in the other direction, the way you need to.
wearables case - and this globally - we have to identify the role
wearables can play. The way we look at it, there are a few pretty Finally, whats next for Intel in India? I think the time now is to
obvious areas where wearables can play a huge role whether it is just do what we are doing and go into depth. It is really about
health or security. There is another area where we believe they can getting into the next level of depth. I mean in India we pretty
play a huge role. The things you do daily - if you are a runner, you much mirror the Intel global strategy because digital India lends
are working in a factory, can the wearable actually allow you to do itself so beautifully to the entire virtual cycle of growth that I talk
what you are doing better, smarter, faster? once you identify it, you about. The data centers, the cloud infrastructure which is the
build. And those are the ones that will find sustainable markets backbone that is required. It is a must for the success for Digital
and growth. The wearable segment is just evolving and people are India and as you build these out you need to ensure they are safe,
starting to build out strategies that have more staying power. they are smart, they are secure, and analytics is thought through
Generally people think the wearable is a watch and is tied and built into the system. So there is this huge play for the back
to fitness. But the work that our wearable team is doing, it is in bone or the backend of Digital India, the infrastructure. And then
day-to-day life in the urban context, in the rural context, where you have the entire connected device piece which I think is going
something like this, the technology, can help you. once we have to get into the next phase, where its not just about, yes, I have
identified the real need, thats where we will be going. What shape a phone but it is about the technology is helping me earn more
it comes in, it can be anything from a bracelet to a helmet in a money or do this or do that and better. So that it get us into the
factory, to a pair of spectacles. next level of phase. I think that is what excites us because once
citizens are at that level, once they see the relationship between
A lot of people associate Intel with cutting edge innovation generally technology and livelihood, thats when you can do so much more.
associated with high-end products, but you also have worked on So, that piece is very exciting. And for that piece, a large part of
products that are surprisingly affordable. How do you manage this? focus will be rural India for us which is something that we started
Intel has always had a good, better, best road map. And even when doing. So how do we do more of that or how do we go deeper into
you look at performance and innovation, performance doesnt just that and in between is the connectivity piece where we focus on
come with price. We deliver performance in value, mainstream building a strong network infrastructure for India - all three areas
and at the highest possible level. But it is performance that is are the areas where Intel plays exceedingly well. Now we just have
needed in each segment so that it can fit in the cost structure. to customize our playbooks so that we can go more into depth and
We have always had this. It is just that now the local oeM system make sure it happens in India. n
in India is maturing. So, you are getting to see local players like nimish@mymobile.co.in
M
ention a smartphone
these days and it is a
fair chance that the first also been
things that come to most seeing camera cases
peoples minds are hardware specifications which add battery life to the phones they squad seeking
- things like processors, display resolution, cover and well, we have seen our share of something different.
RAM, camera megapixels and the like. add on camera lenses (remember Sonys
Well, not if you are talking of the new Moto Lens Style Cameras) and even some cases Mods, Moto Style
Z from Motorola. Yes, there is no doubt that add speakers to phones (JBL had What makes the Moto Z devices very
that the phone boasts a very eye-grabbing planned one for the Lenovo Vibe X2). In different is the fact that while they are
design - it is a wafer-like 5.19 mm thin fact, earlier this year, LG positioned its G5 essentially modular in nature, they
and has a metal body that stands out in a flagship as a modular device to which you also enable you to attach accessories
crowd - and that it comes with a formidable could attach components. (Moto Mods) to them almost
spec sheet (a 5.5 inch AMOLED quad By and large, however, the idea of a seamlessly. Doing the magic is a magnetic
HD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 modular phone often came a cropper on connector at the back of the phone - all you
processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, a the altar of utility. The modules, no matter have to do is attach your Moto Mod to the
13.0-megapixel rear camera and stock how useful, were often a pain to use - you phone and you are ready to go. The phone
Android to boot). But what makes the Moto had to pair them with the main device using notifies you that a mod has been attached
Z special is actually what can be added to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi which meant fiddling within seconds of your attaching it and
it. Literally. with passwords and codes, or attach them well, thats it. There are no passwords to
physically which again could be quite a play around with, no pairing requests. All
The Mod Angle tedious task - in the LG G5, for instance, you need to do is just slap the mod on the
We have been hearing of modular phones attaching a module meant removing the back of the phone.
for quite a while now. Almost a decade battery cover and then restarting the And the Moto Mods are not just easy
ago, a company called Modu had tried to phone. And this fiddling around often to attach, but easy to use as well. Unlike
promote the concept of a phone to which detracts from the biggest feature of a some mods (like the Sony camera mods
you could add more features like a better phone - its accessibility and convenience. for instance), the Moto Mods work
camera, better speakers and so on, by So, yes, while modules for phones were through the default apps on the phone
placing a core phone unit into jackets always around, they were always more in itself and do not require any special apps.
which contained other features. We have the concept stage and mainly for the geek So the Hasselblad True Zoom (which
In focus
adds a 10x optical zoom camera to the
device) can be used by the default The future: yes!
camera app or even through Instagram The present? while theres no denying the ease of use of
and Facebook and other apps. It is not as All in all, the Moto Z is perhaps the best
the mods, the fact that they work only
if you are tied down to a particular set of modular phone ever made and is very
with the Moto Z series restricts their
apps if you want to use a mod. And the well specced in its own right too. But
utility for some users - you will have to
Mods themselves are very versatile: we at Rs 39,990, it does not come cheap
buy a Moto Z phone to use them. That
have used the Hasselblad True Zoom, the and the mods are not exactly
said, if you are interested in a modular
JBL SoundBoost speaker and the Moto inexpensive either - the Hasselblad
phone, then this is easily the best option
Share Projector and all added a significant True Zoom comes for a princely Rs
around. n
dimension to the phone. 19,990 as does the projector mod. And nimish@mymobile.co.in
F
or Google, the mobile Micromax develop smartphones
handset market isnt new. running Android mobile operating
Android, the worlds most system. With the release of Pixel and
popular mobile operating Pixel XL, Google has done something
system, is developed by Google after unexpected - perhaps for the first
all. So, Google is as experienced as time in its history, it has designed
Apple in the smartphone market, and manufactured smartphones on
right? Google is not, technically, a its own - representing a major shift
handset player, even though it has an from partnering with major Android
experience of partnering with handset OEMs. The question is whether or
makers like Huawei, HTC and LG to not the Pixel lineup will be enough
develop Nexus devices that represent for Google to establish itself as a
the true Android platform. By and legendary handset maker, or if it will
large, Google is a software company share the same fate as Microsoft and
and its OEMs such as Samsung and BlackBerry?
In focus
Google has always been seen in solution to consumers with its Pixel lineup,
The premium factor
the background when its comes to just like Apple.
Googles new smartphones dont come
the smartphone market. Today, most But its not as easy as it seems. If we
cheap. The success of the Pixel and Pixel
smartphones from the likes of Samsung, recall, Google has had issues to crack
XL will depend a lot on Googles reach
Lenovo, Motorola, Huawei and Xiaomi the smartphone market with the Nexus
in an emerging market like India, where
are powered by Android, the worlds most program. Despite the popularity of Google,
the organised retail sector remains quite
popular mobile operating system. Until Nexus-branded phones have not been a
scattered. Google will also face tough
now, Google mostly relied on its Android huge success. And although the Huawei-
competition from players such as Apple
OEMs to sell smartphones, but no one has made Nexus 6P was critically acclaimed,
and Samsung, both of whom have a solid
managed to come close to Apple, barring the device loses to the iPhone 6s and
brand recall value.
the South Korean company Samsung. Galaxy S6 in terms of sales.
Google may be the brain behind the
The worlds largest smartphone maker Similarly, Google tried really hard to
worlds most popular mobile operating
is purely fighting Apple on its hardware push its Android One program in India,
muscle - and has been showing less for which, CEO Sundar Pichai had shown
dependency on Google to win the race. lot of interest. While Google refrained
Samsungs Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge even from revealing the reason for the failure
though are powered by Googles Android of Android One program in India, sluggish
mobile OS, but the company uses its handset sales and the lack of interest from
TouchWiz UI layer on top. The result: its hardware partners, could lead to its
the user interface (UI) does looks totally demise.
different from what you see on a Nexus
smartphone. The hardware challenge
Samsungs increasing focus on its Tizen To commercially sell the Pixel and Pixel
OS, which currently powers the companys XL smartphone in a market like India,
television sets and smartwatches should Google has to manage
be seen as an indication that the South inventory, provide
Korean doesnt have to depend on Google 24x7 customer
to sell its devices. service and sign
deals with network
Betting on Pixel providers for
But with its new Pixel lineup Google will data bundling.
be seen selling the smartphones directly Thats just like
to consumers it created from design to scratching the
manufacturing to software. Experts claim surface.
that Googles latest push in the mobile A smart-
handset market is not only aimed at Apple phone like
but it would badly affect Samsung, which Pixel, for instance,
has had rough few months of late, with the requires a large retail space to showcase
whole Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. the device. Although Google has tied up
If we look at the premium market, both with a number of offline and online retail
Apple and Samsung are the two preferred partners, the company in the near future
system, but being a hardware manufacturer
competitors. Samsung has always had might need to setup it own stores on the
aint that easy and a completely different
some competition from Google in the form lines of Samsung Cafe to better position
game altogether.
of its Nexus lineup, be it smartphones or its products.
Whats more, unlike in the past, where
tablets. But, this time around Google has Google also needs to understand that
Nexus devices had a price edge over other
a bigger role to play to make the Pixel and the majority of Android smartphones are
flagships, the Pixel has to go toe to tor
Pixel XL a big success, not only against being sold out in the tier-2 and 3 cities
against the competition. Its a jungle out
the iPhone 7 but also beating Samsungs and for that a more local approach has to
there.
highly popular Galaxy S7 range. be followed in their regard rather than the
Welcome Google! n
Google wants to provide a complete conventional one.
T
he Pixel and Pixel XL might one solution provider. Is Google trying to
have grabbed all the headlines adopt an Apple-like hardware approach?
for being the first Google Lets find out where Google is up to these
smartphones designed in- days.
house -- and thats just the beginning.
The launch of Daydream vr headset and Google Assistant
Google Home, further introduction of Using artificial intelligent (AI), Google
Google Wifi, and a new Chromecast could Assistant not only gets smarter but more
perpetuate Google more closer to an all-in- personal than ever. Its an upgrade over
Google Now, you can say. While it was first
included in Googles new Allo messaging
app, released in September, it will be
integrated deeply into smartphones,
smartwatches, intelligent speaker
system, and even Cars, for that matter.
Google Assistant is designed for two-
way conversation, meaning you can ask a
question and followed by several follow-up
questions. Google Assistant understands
natural language, like Siri, so you can
speak in the same tone as you generally
converse with someone.
In focus
Google Home faster. Unfortunately Google isnt and Pixel XL
Home is primarily Googles take on Amazon saying much about the Chromecast smartphones will
Echo, a new smart home speaker system Ultra beyond its capability to decode and be able to work with the
that has been baked with Google Assistant, displaying 4K content. Google Chromecast Daydream view. Talking about the
the companys new digital assistant. The Ultra will go on sale in November for $69 headset itself, it is crafted with fabric and
intelligent speaker stays in your home, and ( or approx rs. 4678). Thats double the soft microfibre, and is designed to fit over
can be used to ask questions, play music, price of the Chromecast 2. eyeglasses. The vr headset also includes
access information from Google Search or Google has tasted success with the a controller. Google has been working
Google apps and services, and even control Chromecast, given its attractive price tag. with a number of content partners such
your smart home. Its a small, little device For those whove got a 4K-enabled T.v, the as Netflix, Hulu, CNN, and many more.
and comes in white but users can change Chromecast Ultra is still affordable, even Googles own services like YouTube, Play
the base with a variety of different color at rs. 4678. Store, Play Movies, Street view and Google
options in fabric and metal. On the top, Photos will have dedicated vr apps.
Home offers a touch capacitive control Daydream View
mechanism, allowing you to manually Googles first endeavour into the mobile Google Wi-Fi
control the Assistant. Home is priced at virtual reality was seen with the release of A smart Wi-Fi router, really? Well yes,
$130 (or approx rs. 8,676) and can be Cardboard, a small yet practical approach quite evident if Google comes up with a
purchased in November in the U.S. to popularise vr. Now, with the release smart, modular Wifi router. Google already
of Daydream view, its getting clear that offers an intelligent Wifi router, dubbed the
Google Chromecast Ultra Googles ambitions are sky high and not OnHub. However, Google Wi-Fi is designed
Alongside with the launch of the Pixel and just mere fillers. to be modular, and is designed in-house,
Pixel XL, Google also formally announced After it revealed its Daydream mobile vr like its new Pixel lineup. Instead of relying
the third-generation Chromecast, the platform at I/O 2016, Googles actual on a single router that you can place in a
Chromecast Ultra. The last-generation headset - Daydream vr view - will go on sale room, Google Wi-Fi can be purchased in
Chromecast was more of a secondary next month for $79 (or approximately rs. a pack of three (say, if you live in a large
update over the original Chromecast. 5288). The vr headset will fully harness house) for the best possible signal. There
With the Chromecast Ultra, Google has Googles newly developed Daydream is also an app to manage your Wif-Fi to
added features such as 4K with HDr platform for high-quality mobile vr. Its control over the network. Google Wi-Fi
(High Dynamic range) support. The a Google Daydream-ready vr headset - will be available later in the year. A single
Chromecast Ultra looks identical to the and requires a high-end smartphone to unit is priced at $130 (or approximately
previous generation model, but without the take advantage that can run the platform, rs. 8631), or a three-pack for $300 (or
Chrome branding. It also gets an ethernet obviously. approximately rs. 20,074). n
port connectivity, and is believed to be At the time of writing, Googles Pixel anuj@mymobile.co.in
1 4
At first glance, Lenovo Yoga Book The Lenovo Yoga Book has no
looks like a regular book, but it folds physical keys. Instead, the second
out into a full-fledged computer using touch-sensitive surface can become
the companys signature 360-degree a virtual keyboard, dubbed the Halo
watchband hinge. Its a smart choice, keyboard. Each key provides haptic
at least, design-wise. feedback while you type on it. Sounds
cool, right?
2 5
T h e Yo g a B o o k i s e x t r e m e l y When not typing, simply tap a button
lightweight at 690 grams, and its and turn it into a drawing pad. Make a
only 0.38 inches thick. The device sketch, or scribble on it just like you
is actually made up of two tablets would do on a Wacom tablet. Lenovo
joined together, one with the 10.1- also includes a magnetic clipboard that
inch Full-HD display and the other attaches to the Yoga Book for taking
with a touch-sensitive surface. notes and record your creations.
3 6
The second half of the Yoga Book is The Yoga Book also comes with a
also a tablet, and meant to be used by custom Real Pen stylus. It can be
graphics designers, similar to those by used in two ways: use a digital stylus
Wacom. But unlike the regular Wacom on the tablets touch screen and the
tablet, the other half, which Lenovo other is an ink nib to create notes on
calls the Creative Pad, can be used physical paper, which can be converted
for both typing and scribbling. into digital notes on the screen.
In focus
APPLE REINVENTED THE TABLET MARKET WITH THE IPAD, AND IT CHANGED
THE STATUS OF THE MARKET FOREVER. LENOVO, HOWEVER, IS TAKING
ONE STEP FORWARD WITH THE YOGA BOOK. THE DEVICE, A 2-IN-1
TABLET COMES WITH AN INNOVATIVE TOUCH-SENSITIVE KEYBOARD THAT
DOUBLES AS A MINI LAPTOP, NOTEPAD, AND A DRAWING CANVAS. WE
TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT LENOVO YOGA BOOK. By Anuj Bhatia
7
The Yoga Book will
be available in both
8
The tablet also gets
a microSD card slot,
9
L e n o v o Yo g a B o o k
appears to be a unique
10
Lenovo has not launched
the Yoga Book in India
Windows 10 and a micro-HDMI port 2-in-1 tablet, different at the time of writing.
Android Marshmallow and, a headphone from the hybrid H o w e v e r, C h i n e s e
6.0.1 versions, with jack. Unfortunately, machines from the company has plans to
identical designs. Lenovo has not used traditional PC makers. launch the Yoga Book
Hardware-wise, the more versatile USB For some people - the in India before the end
tablet is powered by an Type-C port which is Yoga Book sounds too of the year at around
Intel Atom x5 processor, common nowadays. futuristic. But we like Rs. 38,000, although
4GB of RAM, 64GB of the concept of a touch the speculated price
storage and up to 15- keyboard and stylus and may change during the
hours of battery life. thet cool form factor. release.
anuj@mymobile.co.in
In focus
Here Come The
Sevens!
THE NEW IPHONES HAVE ARRIVED IN INDIA, BOTH OF THEM. AND
NEEDLESS TO SAY, INTEREST IN THEM IS VERY HIGH INDEED. SO
WHAT EXACTLY IS NEW ABOUT THEM, ARE THEY REVOLUTIONARY OR
EVOLUTIONARY, AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, ARE THEY WORTH
INVESTING IN? WE TRY TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS IN THIS
DETAILED IPHONE FAQ.
We wont keep this for the end. How much black and jet black models, we would Does the return of black make a huge
do the new iPhones cost? have to concede that no, the iPhone 7 difference to the appearance of the
not surprisingly, the answer is: a fair does not represent the militant design phones?
penny. The iPhone 7 starts at rs 60,000 overhaul that many were expecting it Well, yes, it does. In fact, we would go
for the 32 Gb edition, while the iPhone to be, given Apples penchant to alter so far as to say that if you are buying an
7 Plus costs rs 72,000 for the 32 Gb design radically after two years. Yes, there iPhone for flaunt value, then perhaps the
edition. Interestingly, however, the 16 are claims about better materials being black and jet black versions should be
Gb models have been phased out and used in the construction, but in terms of the best options. Unlike their iPhone 4
users now have 32 Gb, 128 Gb and 256 sheer shape and size, the new iPhones and 4S predecessors which had a black
Gb models to choose. The price break up seem to be cut out of the same fabric that back panel but had steel coloured sides,
of different models goes thus: made their predecessors. In fact, both the jet black and black editions of the
iPhone 7 32 Gb: rs 60,000; 128 the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are exactly the new iPhones are totally black, giving
Gb: rs 70,000; 256 Gb: rs 80,000 same proportions as the iPhone 6s and them a very unique appearance. Yes,
iPhone 7 Plus 32 Gb: rs 72,000; 6s Plus. They are slightly lighter, though some might find the jet black a trifle too
128 Gb: rs 82,000; 256 Gb: rs the iPhone 7 Plus is 188 grammes to glossy for comfort, especially given its
92,000. the 192 grammes of the 6s Plus, while tendency to pick up smudges and stains
both phones are available in silver, the iPhone 7 is 138 grammes to the 143 we found ourselves wiping it clean
gold and rose gold and now also in jet grammes of the iPhone 6s. There are a almost every time we touched it but we
black and black yes, black is back on few other changes the antenna bands have not seen iPhones look this good for
the iPhone after a sabbatical (it was last are no longer as visible on the back as quite a while now.
seen on the iPhone 4S). they were on previous editions, and the So barring the colours, the look and
iPhone 7 Plus now has a dual camera design seem largely the same. What has
Lets start off simply: has the much talked set up that protrudes from its back. but then changed?
about iPhone design change happened in placed inside a case, as many will be, it is Well, actually a fair bit. First off, the
the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus? very difficult to tell the new iPhones apart displays, while being of the same size
Well, if you discount the return of the from their predecessors. and resolution as their predecessors,
claim to handle colour better than their that digital zoom has been significantly addition of stereo speakers, a new
predecessors. Then there is the little improved, allowing you to get reasonably dimension has been added in
matter of the processor - as with every clear shots even at 10x digital zoom. terms of loudspeaker sound
new edition of the iPhone, Apple has While things have definitely improved in quality. most significantly, the battery
included a better improved processor with this regard, although we would suggest lives of both devices have improved - we
the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, what it terms the stopping at 6x. Another area where we actually were able to get through a day
A10 Fusion processor. The cameras have have observed a significant improvement of use on the iPhone 7 with a little care,
been improved too, and now both the is in depth of field and bokeh, where and the 7 Plus easily saw through a day
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cameras come with backgrounds are getting blurred very and a half of use. And yes, the water and
optical image stabilization. The iPhone 7 effectively, if not as spectacularly as on dust resistance seems to work just fine
Plus also has dual cameras on the back. devices like the Honor 8. - we gave each of them a light dunk in
both phones also come with water and the water and they survived to tell the
dust resistance and rather significantly Cameras are an important part of the iPhone tale. Added to the camera muscle, we
now come with stereo speakers as well. experience. How good are the ones on the would say that these are perhaps the best
And of course, storage has been doubled new iPhones? multimedia phones out there. Top it with
across the board. These are phones with The answer is: very good indeed. Yes, the the app treasury that they have at their
massively improved innards. dual camera set up makes a difference to disposal, and these are both contenders
but there is something missing too, the iPhone 7 Plus camera performance, for being the best smartphones out there.
isnt there? The 3.5 mm audio jack! but for us, the real change in camera Period.
Yes, thats absolutely right and there performance on both devices is in low
has been a right royal ruckus over Apples light performance. once considered the So tell me then: should I buy the new iPhone
decision to do away with that trusty bit of Achilles Heel of the iPhones, low light 7 or iPhone 7 Plus? Especially if I already
hardware. Apple claims that the removal performance is actually a strength of the have an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus.
of the audio jack will give them more space new ones. Glare is handled brilliantly We So wish there was an easy answer to
within the phone for better component and colour and detail are also tackled this one. It really depends on what your
placement. And in terms of sheer quality, sensibly, so you do not get the impression needs are. If you are looking for a high
we must concede that the sound in the that a photograph has been brightened performing phone with an exceptional
bundled ear Pods sounds better when up artificially. We think these are the camera, then the iPhone 7 Plus becomes
connected to the Lightning Connector best cameras we have seen on a phone, an easy phone to recommend, with only
as compared to the 3.5 mm audio jack. winning back the iPhone the title of best its large size being a deterrent. In terms
Apple has also bundled an adapter that camera phone. Whats more, there is a of sheer performance, this is perhaps one
allows you to use 3.5 mm headphones new portrait mode that is being brought in of the best phones in the world out there.
with the new iPhones - it is not an elegant with a new software update in the coming Things however get a bit more iffy in the
solution but it works just fine. but yes, days, which should make the shooting case of the sleeker and more compact
you wont be able to recharge your phone experience even better. iPhone 7. For while there is no doubting
while using the earphones. that in terms of sheer appearance and
In terms of general performance, where do ease of use, the iPhone 7 is the better of
There has been a lot of talk about the the new iPhones stand? the new iPhone duo, it is markedly inferior
dual cameras on the back of the iPhone 7 We are going to be blunt: we never had in terms of camera performance, with
Plus. Do they really make that much of a any problems in terms of performance no dual camera set up or optical zoom
difference? with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, so while to perk it up. So if you have an iPhone
Well, there are two 12.0-megapixel there is no doubt that the iPhone 7 and 7 6s, the move to the 7 might not seem a
cameras on the back of the iPhone 7 Plus are great performers, users might not compelling one, but if you are considering
Plus - one is a wide angle lens and the notice that great a difference in terms of investing in a 7 Plus, we would go right
other a telephoto lens. The latter is the general performance. both phones handle ahead and recommend it whole heartedly,
interesting one as it lets you optically high definition content brilliantly, the as we would go out on a limb and call it
zoom into subjects up to 2x. That does fingerprint readers remain benchmarks perhaps the best phone out there. n
not sound like much but does make a for the rest of the market in terms of nimish@mymobile.co.in
difference in phones. Apple also claims accuracy and consistency and with the
In focus
In Conversation
The infrastructure in India will additional language support and
continue to improve during the next localized content, and one of the
5-10 years as telecom companies best download managers available.
continue to invest. However, their Our compression technology has
efforts will have to match the growing also improved to include video
population of India and millions optimization and to reduce buffering
coming online. when streaming. With increasing
The Internet itself is growing usage of internet and apps, there is
bigger as we speak. Since 2012, the also a need to manage apps so that
average webpage has doubled in size they dont strip the smartphone of
due to larger images, more tracking precious resources such as battery,
tools, more ads, more complex code RAM and mobile data. Opera Max
and embedded code, and services is one such solution that combines
such as social-media plug-ins. That the secure connection of what a VPn
means increased load times, and provides and data saving compression
more data being transported through technology to give users a secure way
the cell towers. of managing apps and data
The use of streaming video is usage in a simple
expanding the amount of data manner.
flowing through the infrastructure of We will continue
the web and is forecast to grow at a to innovate with
faster rate than mobile connectivity. new apps and
To bring a billion Indians online, features that will
we need to fix the internets most make our Indian
common challenges. Today, Operas users online
compression technology is more experience
relevant than ever. It is essential better.
in making sure the internet is
accessible for everyone by reducing Opera is best
the data traffic needed to experience known for
the web faster and in an affordable its browsers,
manner. but in recent
times we have
How important is the Indian market seen the company
to Opera today? Any numbers you come out with other
would like to share about the number apps too, such as
of users, and the number of staff you Opera Max and the
have in the country? India has always VPN app. Is this
been an important market for Opera. part of a strategy to
It is home to the largest number of move away from
our mobile device users. In the last 6 browsers? Web
years, we have increased the number browsers have
of Opera users from 1 million in been our core
2010 to 50 million today. product from
A majority of our users today the beginning.
come from smartphones. Over the With the
years, we have updated the Opera growing
web browser with resourceful m a r k e t
features such as an easy to use UI, and evolving
consumer needs, we have adapted Indian plans in particular? The gaming The Opera browser for Android powers
ourselves to develop performance and announcements, Idea Games Club, for the YUniverse browser in smartphones
privacy apps such as Opera Max and Opera example, that you have heard recently are by Yu Televentures and Comet browser in
VPn. With both of these apps, the focus is solutions powered by the Opera Apps Club, Xolo smartphones. Samsungs Ultra Data
to enhance the overall online experience a netflix-style subscription service for Savings mode, featured in the brands
for users, which has always been a goal at premium Android apps. It provides users recently launched J series smartphones, is
Opera. This diversification is a conscious with an all you can download subscription powered by Opera Max, as is the S Secure
strategy to establish Opera as an Internet offer, payable through operators billing mode in Samsungs J 7 Prime. In addition,
company that has a wider range of apps systems. Its app portfolio ranges across we have partnered with OeMs to preinstall
and a strong mobile advertising business. productivity, entertainment, gaming, Opera Max on Android smartphones by
messaging and so on. We have partnered Micromax and Intex.
What is the status of Opera TV in India? Opera with more than 15 operators across the
TVs presence in India is thorough over the globe to offer this service. What is the way ahead for Opera in general
top (OTT) video streaming service deployed and in India, in particular? Any particular
on selected end user devices such as Sony Idea Games Club is a subset of the Opera product we should be looking out for? every
Smart TVs & blu-ray players, Samsung blu- Apps Club. It allows users to download and citizen of the 1.3 billion population of India
enjoy unlimited, should be able to get online, in spite of the
full-version low-end smartphones they are able to afford
premium gaming and the sluggish mobile networks they
apps on their might come across from time to time. We
smartphones, believe that Opera has a very important role
without worrying to play here, specially with our compression
about in-app technology. For India in particular, we are
purchases and planning to invest aggressively for growing
advertisements. users in tier two and three cities. Being able
The flat sub- to access the web can be life-changing.
scription-fee The next wave of internet users are more
model will save comfortable interacting in the local
consumers a lot language, and we place a special emphasis
of money and on both localization and delivering content
effort compared based on geolocation.
to buying apps We are also looking at delivering a
one by one from better news experience to our users. We
the traditional app are already improving on the existing news
store. We have section in Opera browsers and testing the
also launched Tata feasibility of a standalone app for the same.
Docomo Apps Club You will hear more about these innovations
ray players and other consumer brands. in India and we have more announcements in the months to come. Our roadmap for
The OTT service called Opera TV features in the pipeline. the overall company is promising. If the
over 1000 applications ranging from local acquisition goes through, this will mean
and international video on-demand, news, We have seen Operas browsers on a number more people will be able to use Operas
music, fashion, sports and kids content of devices in India. Any more tie-ups in the products. Together with our new potential
from a variety of broadcasters and content pipeline, not just for browsers but for other partners, we would have a user base of
owners such as TeD, Sony LIV, Vouge, apps, too? We have partnership agreements some 800 million users. The consortium
Wired, Red Bull TV, Washington Post, Al- to preinstall Opera Mini on all Android is big in China, and we are big in emerging
Jazeera to mention a few. handsets and tablets of Indian OeMs markets. Together, we can cross-promote
such as Micromax, Intex, Karbonn, Lava, our products to more users and grow
We have seen Opera showing a lot of interest Videocon, Celkon, Spice, Zen Mobiles, stronger financial muscles to develop new
in gaming of late. Where do you plan to go Panasonic etc. This covers almost 80% of products.n
with this in general, and do you have any the Indian OeM nimish@mymobile.co.in
TechBytes
Lithium-ion Batteries
F rom your iPod to your smartphone to your cars battery,
Lithium-ion batteries are nowadays used in almost in
every gadget you see in the market. Lithium-ion batteries
flows from negative electrode to positive electrode. In case
of Lithium-ion batteries, the positive electrode is made of
a compound known as lithium-cobalt oxide (LiCoo2) or, in
are considered one of the most powerful batteries but newer batteries, from lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4).
are also prone to burst into flame. You might have heard Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than the other types of
the Samsung Galaxy note 7 fiasco, where the companys rechargeable batteries making them highly useful for
smartphone was bursting into flames. This was primarily portable devices. As Lithium is a reactive metal, this also
due to the faulty high-density lithium-ion battery used in means that it can store more energy as compared to other
it. but what exactly is a Lithium-ion battery? How does batteries. The batteries can hold its charge for a longer
it work? Well, to start with, Lithium-ion batteries are period of time as compared to other batteries and they
basically a rechargeable battery which houses a precious have no memory effect meaning, that you dont need to
metal known as Lithium. The metal is considered to wait it to get completely discharged before charging it
be the lightest metal with the highest electrochemical again. but there are some flaws as well. These types of
potential. In order to know these types of batteries, let batteries do not have a long shelf life. These are highly
us first look at how a battery works. A battery is made sensitive towards high temperatures and degrade faster at
of compartments known as cells and each cell has three higher temperature. And yes as they are highly sensitive,
components: positive electrode, a negative electrode and chances of catching fire in the battery is always higher
an electrolyte. When you charge the battery, the ions flow than any other batteries types. As we all - and Samsung
from positive to negative electrode and while discharging it - now know. n rohan@mymobile.co.in
Spectrum Auction:
In Focus
Damp Squib?
THE MUCH-HYPED AND AWAITED SPECTRUM AUCTION CONCLUDED
IN JUST FIVE DAYS OF ITS COMMENCEMENT AS ALREADY DEBT RIDDEN
TELECOM OPERATORS AVOIDED AGGRESSIVE BIDDING PRIYANKA DUA
TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AUCTION.
T
here is no doubt that spectrum this time the total amount of spectrum sale of two bands: 900 MHz and 1800
plays important role in telecom was put on the block by Government is MHz.
industry or say a lifeline for 2,354.55 MHz, but the Government has According to industry experts, the
the operators. More spectrum only managed to sell 965MHz from seven auction was a failure due to high pricing of
means more consumer satisfaction and in different frequency bands i.e.700MHZ bands. Sources close to the development
simple terms the more the merrier. Which 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 also told My Mobile that, there were no
is why many people were disappointed with MHz, 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz. takers for the 700 MHz and 900 MHz due
the results of the latest round of spectrum Looking back to the last year auction in to high reserve price and now trAI has to
auctions in the country. It ended in only five 2015, the Government sold of about 89 per re-look at the pricing.
days, with the centre receiving bids worth cent of the total 418.05MHz spectrum put Faisal Kawoosa, Lead Analyst, telecoms
rs 65,789 crore, about 11 per cent of the up for the sale and the auction concluded at cMr research says, I think this auction
expected rs 5.66 lakh crore and only 40 in 19 days. the centre raised rs 1.09 lakh has shown the judicious approach adopted
per cent of the total airwaves on the block crore which was 36 per cent higher than by the operators and in a way they have
being sold. expected and even in the 2014 auctions, shown that telecom is
the operators are already in debt of the centre had raised rs 61162.22
close to rs 3 lakh crore and the reserve crore from the sale
prices were very high, experts said. of 399.2 MHz of
spectrum from the
In Focus
This is the highest ever amount
garnered in the last five years.
This is a cause of happiness. Its a
big achievement that we could sell
965MHz, which is more than the
cumulative amount sold since 2012,
- Manoj Sinha, telecom Minister
beyond buying of spectrum. said. However he blamed the lack of eco- price of rs 11,485 crore per MHz. Small
tarun Pathak, Senior Analyst, system behind no bids in the 700MHz wonder the debt ridden telecom industry
counterpoint research, was more band. maintained distance from the premium
optimistic, saying, I think it was a good airwaves.
auction overall if we exclude 700 MHz and Bidding in Auction In fact there were no takers in 900 Mhz
900 MHz where little to no response was vodafone emerged as the highest bidder band.
widely anticipated due to high price. Infact with bids worth over rs 20,000 crore, the response for premium bands was
4/5th of the spectrum was valued for these followed by bharti Airtel at rs 14,244 crore, expected and yes we think Government
two bands. Hence it will be unfair to look new entrant reliance Jio won airwaves at should reconsider the pricing as it is too
into the actual sale of spectrum with the rs 13,672 crore and Idea won spectrum high by any metrics currently, Pathak
total value put into table. For other bands worth rs 12,798 crore. reliance Jio has said.
like 2300 MHz and 1800 Mhz it was renewed its expiring spectrum in 800 on selling unsold premium band at
almost a complete sell out which synced MHz band in Gujarat circle and purchased reduced price, Pathak added, We dont
with strategic interest of the telcos too. additional spectrum in the 800 MHz, think it will be any time soon. Lte services
Meanwhile, telecom Minister Manoj 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands. other has just picked up momentum in country
Sinha seems happy with the response telecom operators like tata teleservices and telcos are yet to get returns on their
and taking this is as a big achievement. won airwaves in the key markets of Delhi earlier capex . In such a scenario we think
this is the highest ever amount garnered and Mumbai at rs. 4,400 crore. reliance that one should look at the scale of internet
in the last five years. this is a cause of communication bought spectrum in only penetration especially Lte services for a
happiness. Its a big achievement that one circle for rs 65 crore, and its new year and then decide accordingly.
we could sell 965MHz, which is more partner Aircel won at rs 1,100 crore. Faisal said, I would say rather than
than the cumulative amount sold since reducing prices, they could go for phased
2012, the Minister Flop show of systematic auctioning in consultation with
premium bands the industry, adding that I see it should be
right from the day one auctioned need based, even if that means
of auction there was no in multiple auctions. n
activity in 700MHz priyanka@mymobile.co.in
due to its high base
Welcome to
Spotlight
BlackBerry 2.0!
FOR MANY YEARS,BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONES WERE A STATUS
SYMBOL FOR PROFESSIONALS AND CONSUMERS. THEY WERE
THE FIRST CHOICE OF PEOPLE LIKE US PRESIDENT BARACK
OBAMA AND KIM KARDASHIAN. BUT NOW BLACKBERRY
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD STOP DESIGNING ITS
OWN SMARTPHONES. ANUJ BHATIA LOOKS BACK AT THE
END OF AN ERA.
B
lackBerry announced it is largest smartphone maker, BlackBerry exclusive to Verizon in the U.S and also its
exiting the space for more mostly dominated the high-end smartphone first touchscreen smartphone to counter the
profitable and growing software market, especially in the U.S. iPhone, shook the brand BlackBerry from
business. Once a poster boy of Everything was smooth until Apple within. It had a touchscreen but the phone
Canadas booming tech industry with a launched the iPhone in 2007, followed was poorly received. The problem with the
market value of $80 billion, BlackBerrys by Google unveiling the first Android BlackBerry Storm was the missing link
market value today is about $4.6 billion. smartphone in the year that followed. Both between hardware and software. In 2008,
At its peak, the company was synonymous Apple and Google were new into the mobile Apple announced support for third-party
with smartphones. Today, its share of the handset business back then, being looked apps on the iPhone. BlackBerry, again,
market stands at less than a percentage as newcomers in front of BlackBerry. had nothing new to offer. To counter Apple,
point. So what went wrong? Soon enough, Apple started to scale up its
Many believe that BlackBerry was a operations with the newly found success
victim of its success. It quickly conquered of the iPhone. On the other hand, Google
the market in no time - with its innovative was getting attention for designing a mobile
phones touting physical QWERTY-keypad. operating system tailor made for touch
At that stage., BlackBerry had everything screen devices such as smartphones and
- enough cash, support from the Canadian tablets. The mobile phone market, which
government, R&D muscle, relationships BlackBerry understood well, started to look
with network providers, expertise in making different altogether. BlackBerry missed on
software and hardware in its own , and a the opportunity to counter the competition
loyal following of business and enterprise and seek to move beyond its comfort zone.
users. BlackBerry even created a messaging Perhaps the biggest reason for the fall of
service (BBM) for its phones, which BlackBerry could be linked to its late entry
further drew the interest of consumers. into the touch-enabled mobile phone
Even though the Canadian company was market.
nowhere close to Nokia, then the worlds The failure of the Storm in 2008, an
Spotlight
was good, but the software experience was
sketchy and the lack of apps led to the
failure of the Z10. Throughout the year,
BlackBerry went on to launch a number
of smartphones running BlackBerry 10
OS, but its market share kept falling. The
situation was getting worse day-by-day
and on September 23, 2013, BlackBerry
announced that it agreed to a $4.7 billion
buyout by a consortium of investors led by
Fairfax Financial. CEO Thorsten Heins was
shown the door and the struggling maker
appointed John Chen to lead BlackBerry.
CEO Chen has been trying to get
BlackBerry to its past glory since joining
in 2013. When Chen took over three years
ago, he outsourced manufacturing to
Foxconn. But he sees BlackBerrys strength
in mobile and security software. Chen did
try to save the hardware business with the
launch of BlackBerry Passport in 2014, a
phone aimed to take on the likes of Apples
however, in 2009, BlackBerry announced software experience integrated well iPhone 6 Plus and Samsungs Galaxy Note
its own app store, with a much smaller into BlackBerry hardware. However, the 4. The company even adopted Android OS,
selection of apps than the competition. implementation took too long. In 2011, in an attempt to return to profitability - the
It was only in 2010 that BlackBerry BlackBerry debuted the PlayBook, a BlackBerry Priv was the BlackBerry phone
finally seemed to take on Apple and Google tablet device running the new software. to come running Android. But once again,
- the BlackBerry Torch was introduced; a The tablet proved a major disappointment Chens efforts were in vain. The companys
hybrid smartphone with both a touchscreen - it needed to be paired with a BlackBerry latest smartphone, the DTEK50, has
and a physical keyboard. It offered better phone for full functionality! It was soon been completely outsourced. BlackBerry
experience than the companys previous heavily discounted, leaving the company recently announced a joint venture with an
smartphones. But BlackBerrys proprietary had to bear heavy losses. The next year, in Indonesian telecom company as part of
OS was aging and the company needed 2012, the company had no major products its strategy to end all device manufacturing
to overhaul its software approach. So, in to showcase and the new BlackBerry 10 and focus on software development. The
2010, BlackBerry acquired QNX software OS didnt arrive. The smartphone maker Canadian company said the partnership
solutions. On paper, the idea was to also announced to cut 5,000 jobs to trim will specifically help Blackberry develop
provide a compelling costs. and license its software, including security
Finally, in 2013, the BlackBerry Z10 solutions and applications, through its
was announced, based on the new mobile Mobility Solutions unit.
operating system. The hardware BlackBerry has responded to the market
that it is better at making secure software
and applications, rather than designing
its own smartphones. For CrackBerries,
its difficult to digest that BlackBerry has
stopped making its own devices after a long
14 years in the business.
An era has well and truly ended. n
anuj@mymobile.co.in
Scramble!
CONTROVERSIES ARE NOT NEW TO RELIANCE JIO AND NOW
ANOTHER ISSUE HAS COME UP AS ITS USERS ARE FACING CALL DROPS
DUE TO LACK OF POINTS OF INTERCONNECTION (POIS). PRIYANKA
DUA TRIES TO EXPLAIN THE WHOLE ISSUE AND THE ROLES OF THE
DIFFERENT PLAYERS INVOLVED.
O
TH
ER
S
RK
N
O
ET
ETW
W
N
O
R
HE
RK
T
S
In Focus
ust when you thought that reliance Jio with enough interconnect enjoying superior HD voice services being
reliance Jio had spent enough capacity to meet the usual demand of 15 offered by rJIL, rJIL said in a statement.
time in the limelight, the issue to 20 million customers. We understand Faisal Kawoosa, Lead Analyst, Telecoms
of interconnectivity popped reliance Jio presently has approximately 2 at Cmr research says, I believe whatever
up. Interconnection is the linking of to 3 million customers using their network. is happening can only help the incumbents
telecommunications networks so that Hence, we are unable to substantiate to affect Jios performance in short term.
customers of one network can communicate reliance Jios claim for additional capacity, Ultimately, this is the era of co-creation and
with customers of another network. To rajan S. mathews, Director General, CoAI they all will have to live together. There have
make a call from one network to another, Later, Jio accused the operators of breach to be efforts to look at more of collaboration
an interconnect fee is to be paid to the of licence agreement and also requested rather than tussle.
incoming network operator. This is a way TrAI to intervene or to take action against Agreeing to the same, Tarun Pathak
of paying for the resources used of the the telcos. The TrAI issued a consultation Senior Analyst, Counterpoint research said,
operator of the terminating network while paper on 5 August in which the regulator I think the matter is only short terms and
the originating operator network makes sought the reduction of interconnection will eventually die down as key stakeholder
revenues from the call charges. charges which provoked CoAI to write a sit and resolve the issue. extending the
letter Department of Telecom in which the same will not be in interest of consumers
Growing Spat industry body mentioned that Jio is providing or any player in the ecosystem.
It all started when reliance Jio wrote to full-fledged services and subscriptions to
Telecom regulatory Authority of India up to more than 1.5 million users on its TRAI intervention
(TrAI), Chairman rS Sharma that the network, claiming to test/trial users. The After all that war or words and letters, the
industry body Cellular operators Association letter also mentioned that reliance Jio was regulator has decided to intervene in the
of India (CoAI) had rejected its generating data volumes which were 25-30 battle and issued show cause notices to all
times the Indian average and bypassing operators. The regulator had given them 10
government regulations with predatory days to explain the reason and why action
pricing and unfair competition. The letter should not be initiated against them for
also requested the telecom department not meeting norms. meanwhile, the three
and to TrAI to intervene in the matter and leading operators had already submitted
tell Jio to stop giving full fledged services their responses on the same in which they
masquerading as tests. have mentioned that free voice calls offered
The war of words got escalated when by reliance Jio as the reason for heavy
CoAI wrote to the Prime minster office network congestion.
and expressed its deep concern In their submission to the regulator telcos
over the recent consultation said that, Free voice calls by reliance Jio
papers floated by the TrAI is prompting people to use more minutes,
accused the regulator for thus leading to an increased traffic at the
adopting discriminatory interconnection points, according to
practices against existing sources. The operators have also asked
operators. meanwhile TrAI to examine the alleged violation of
Jio added a link on its the telecom tariff order by reliance Jio,
website with call drop sources added.
details the operator TrAI, Chairman rS Sharma also
has faced during a 24- confirmed to my mobile that the regulator
request to provide hour duration. Jio in its link put out data for has received the responses and now they
additional points of interconnects (PoIs). September 22 saying over 12 crore out of are examining it. We will take action
CoAI responded that incumbents operators 15 crore call attempts by its users failed. according to law, he replied when asked
are providing sufficient points to supports The deliberate move to not provide about any action the regulator is planning
15- 20 million users and reliance Jio has sufficient interconnection capacity, as is to take against telecom operators.
only 2- 3 million users. apparent from the above numbers, is clearly Clearly the last word has not been said
The members of CoAI would like to aimed at hindering rJILs entry into the sector on this controversy. Stay tuned for more. n
clarify that they have already provided and is depriving Indian customers from priyanka@mymobile.co.in
Battle of the
Face-Off
Sevens
O
ne is the flagship battle gets much tighter in the case of
from Cupertino, the the S7 Edge and the iPhone 7 Plus.
other is the apple We are not going into the processor
(pun intended) of and RAM comparisons because both
the Korean eye. And they both devices run on different platforms
deliver a terrific dollop in terms of with different requirements. But
performance - so much so that each while the iPhone 7 Plus scores over
can lay legitimate claim to the title of the S7 Edge with its dual camera
Best Smartphone in the World. But arrangement and optical zoom as
what if you had to choose between well as dual speakers, the S7 Edge
the iPhone 7 Plus and the Samsung still comes with expandable memory
Galaxy S7 Edge? Well, lets help you and a higher resolution quad HD
make up your mind. display. We are calling this one a tie,
something that has not happened
Design and appearance before, really.
If you had told us a few years ago Winner: Tie.
that a Samsung phone would look
better than an iPhone, we would Software
have laughed at the very notion. The Software has been the core strength
stark fact, however, is that with the of the iPhones and this does not
S6 and the S7 Edge, Samsung came change with the iPhone 7 Plus. iOS
back to the phone design wars with a 10 might be a bit on the buggy side
vengeance, blending glass and metal but it still comes across as simpler
brilliantly. But while the Galaxy S6 and more intuitive to use than the
was a clear winner over the iPhone Touch Wiz layered Android on the
6s, the battle between then S7 Edge Galaxy S7 Edge. Whats more,
and the iPhone 7 Plus turns out to Apples iOS app edge over Android
be a close one, if you take the black remains in place, as does the fact
variant of the latter, which is in our that most iPhone users get access
opinion, simply stunning. We are to updates much faster than Android
still giving this to the S7 Edge for users do. This round to the iPhone 7
managing to squeeze in a 5.5 inch Plus and very comfortably at that.
display into a much more compact Winner: Apple iPhone 7 Plus
frame, but this is a tight call.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Camera
This is a formidable battle indeed.
Hardware While the S7 Edge sports a 12.0-
One department where Samsung has megapixel camera with f/1.7
always held sway over the iPhones aperture, the iPhone 7 Plus brings
has been in pure hardware. But the two dual 12.0-megapixel cameras
64 | nOvEMBER 2016
versus
Face-Off
MENTION HIGH-END SMARTPHONES AND IT IS A FAIR CHANCE
THAT THE FIRST TWO THAT WILL SPRING TO MOST PEOPLES MINDS
WILL BE THE IPHONE 7 PLUS AND THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S7
EDGE. BUT WHICH OF THESE TWO IS ACTUALLY THE ONE FOR
YOU? WE PIT THEM IN A CONTEST AGAINST EACH OTHER TO
FIND OUT.
with f/1.8 apertures to the party. shown considerable improvement is
And well, they both deliver terrific battery life- you can comfortably get
results. Some might prefer the through a day on a single charge.
brighter colours of the S7 Edge but The S7 Edge showed slight signs
photography purists are more likely of heating up but never reached
to be swayed by the more realistic alarming levels. The iPhone 7 Plus
shades of the iPhone 7s shots. What held a slight edge in sound quality
tilts the scales in favour of the iPhone because of its dual speakers, though,
7 Plus is the availability of 2x optical and its fingerprint scanner seems
zoom and its highly improved low more consistent. With both devices
light performance. This is a tight call being water and dust resistant, we
again, but once again, the iPhone 7 are scoring this another narrow win
Plus wins. for the iPhone 7 Plus.
Winner: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Winner: Apple iPhone 7 Plus
nOvEMBER 2016 | 65
personality
Ten Facts
Profile
1
Shreyl Sandberg is the first women ever to become
a member of Facebooks board of directors. She
became the first woman to get elected as a board
Know About 2
Sandberg who was born in the capital of the country
was raised Jewish. She even has a Bar Mitzvah and
still believes in her Jewish roots.
Sheryl Sandberg,
3
Sheryl got a GPA of 4.646 in High school but didnt
get the valedictorian post as she got ninth position in
COO of Facebook her graduating class.
5
After taking her graduate degree, Sandberg opted
for MBA. She had her MBA in hand in 1995 and
graduated with highest distinction.
6
If you think Sandberg is only the board member at
Facebook, you are mistaken. She has been on the board
of the directors panel of Walt Disney Company since
2010 and is often considered as a future CEO.
8
When she was employed at Google and became
pregnant, she lobbied for and got Google to
create parking spots specifically for pregnant women.
10
Campaign in 2014 which is a
movement to stop people from
using the word bossy while
describing young girls. Sandberg
has names like Victoria Beckham,
Beyonce and Jennifer Garner
amongst others on board for this
campaign.
i
tel can be considered On the display, the device
a new entrant into the sports a 5-inch HD IPS display
Indian smartphone with a screen resolution of
market. The company 1280x720 pixels. The display
made its debut with the launch does produces some sharp and
of it5311 and now they have vibrant colours. The display
come up with their flagship also comes with some good
device, the it1520, which is viewing angles, and streaming
touted as worlds cheapest music videos and trailers was a
smartphone to sports an iris delightful experience.
scanner.
Good hardware and
Compact design and performance
good display The phone is powered by a
The itel it1520 also known quad-core MediaTek processor
as SelfiePro smartphone, coupled with 2GB of RAM
does come with a good design and 16GB of internal storage
language. Although the device which can be further expanded
is made of plastic, but it does via microSD card. The phone
not look cheap. We liked the has connectivity options like lighting situations, the device
verdict
diagonal pattern which gives a 4G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. performed averagely and we
Looks
saw noise and graininess Smart-looking device
08 /10
premium look to the device. It Moving to performance, the
with textured rear
is lightweight and comfortable itel it1520 has its hits and kicking in. The front-facing panel finish
to hold, thanks to the slight misses. The device handled camera also does a good job
Features 08 /10
curve at the back. At the front, daily tasks like browsing, in taking selfies and the flash Good display but no
is helpful during low light. fingerprint sensor
you will find a front-facing listening to music, using social
camera flanked between a media apps, playing basic The device runs on the latest Performance 08 /10
Middling specs
front-facing flash and the games, with no sign of lagging Android 6.0 Marshmallow and above average
and the company has kept performance
usual array of sensors, while or slowing down and handles
the earpiece sits right above it casual games like Temple Run the user interface to stock. Ease of Use 08 /10
User interface is
and at the base you will find 2, Can Knockdown effectively The interface is easy to stock-like
the navigation buttons. At but when we tested it with navigate and use. And yes
Value For Money 08 /10
the right there are volume high-graphical games like the iris scanner works almost Can be considered to
accurately. be a good smartphone
rocker and power on/off Warhammer 40K: Freeblade,
button while the left is bare. At we noticed some frame and
OVERALL 80%
the top there is an audio jack lags. Although it is a not meant
Conclusion
With a price tag of Rs 8,490,
while at the base there for heavy games but still does
the smartphone is a good
is a microUSB port. At the well in normal use.
option, but it faces stiff PROS COnS
back you will find a primary On the camera front, the
competition from the likes of Good Middling
camera coupled with dual device has a 13-megapixel
Lenovo K5, Coolpad Note 3 display, specs,
LED flash and underneath are rear and front cameras. The
dual-SIM slots, one microSD rear camera takes some good
lite and more, which offers good mediocre
more impressive performance camera battery life
card slot and removable photos in broad daylight,
at a similar price point. n
battery. Overall, the device although the photos were a bit (For detailed specifications,
team@mymobile.co.in please refer to My Guide)
does look good. oversaturated. Under the low
Videocon cube 3
Another budget warrior
V
ideocon recently at the base there are three colour output. Watching The smartphone is powered by
revamped its navigations buttons. On the movies was good but we saw a 3000mAh battery which can
mobile business right you will find a power a bit of yellow hue on the last up to a day of normal use.
strategy and button and volume rocker display.
has launched its next-gen while the left is blank. At Conclusion
budget warrior, the Cube 3 the back you see a primary Good performer With a price tag of Rs. 8,490,
smartphone in India. But does camera coupled dual LED The Videocon Cube 3 is the smartphone offers some
it have all the ingredients to flash and once you remove powered by a quad-core modest specs coupled with
become a success? the back panel, you will see MediaTek MT6735 processor some good performance for
a removable battery coupled clocked at 1.3GHz. The phone a buget-centric smartphone.
Glossy design and with dual SIM slot and a is backed by a 3GB of RAM But still it faces a stiff
average display microSD card slot. On the top and 32GB of internal storage competition from the likes
The Videocon Cube 3 does there is an audio jack while at which can be expanded up of Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime,
give a premium look with a the base there is a microUSB to 64GB via microSD card. Lenovo K5 Plus, and Coolpad
glossy finish and the plastic port. Overall, the device has The smartphone support all Note 3 Lite, which which
used in the smartphone is a light form factor and is connectivity options like 4G, offers better specs and
of good quality. The golden compact enough, making it VoLTE, GPS/A-GPS, Wi-Fi and performance at similar price
ring along the edges coupled comfortable to hold and use. Bluetooth. The performance point. n
with checkbox pattern at the On the display front, the of the device is satisfactory team@mymobile.co.in
rear glossy panel does makes device features a 5-Inch HD as it handles most of the
it look sturdy, although the IPS Screen with DragontrailX multi-tasking and regular
back is prone to smudges. 2.5D curved glass. The apps smoothly. Whether be it
Verdict
On the front, you will see a display delivers good viewing using WhatsApp, Facebook, Looks 08 /10
Glossy check box
front shooter coupled with angles and gives decent YouTube and more, the device finish looks good
earpiece and front flash, while was consistent. We also found Features 08 /10
that it handled most casual Average display but a
lightweight device
games like Temple Run
without too much difficulty.
Performance 07 /10
Middling specs and
On the camera front, the average performance
t
he home-grown Under the hood, there is a
brand, Intex is 64-bit quad-core processor
best known for MediaTek MTK6735
launching some processor. It has 3GB RAM
really affordable smartphones and 16 GB of internal
and it has added yet another storage which can be further
budget smartphone to its expanded up to 64 GB using
Aqua series- the Aqua S7. But a microSD card. On the
can it go neck-to-neck with camera front, it features a 13-
some formidable competition megapixel rear camera while
in the affordable phone the front facing camera is of
segment? 5-megapixels with a single
LED flash. It supports camera
Decent-looking features like PIP mode,
device panorama mode, slow motion
The Aqua S7 sports a decent video, gesture shot and
design with a screen size smile detection. It is juiced
of 5-inches. The device by a 3200 mAh Lithium- lasts for up to two days (one
Verdict
measures 142.5x72.5x8.5 polymer battery and runs on advice: dont charge it with any
Looks 08 /10
mm and weighs 150 grams. It Android 6.0 Marshmallow. other charger, it will take too Decent looks and
features curved edges and on Connectivity options include long). The device is a multi- comfortable to
handle
the lower part we can find the dual-SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi tasker, doesnt hang. All the
three obvious touch buttons, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, applications run pretty well
Features 07 /10
Average
with the speaker grilles and GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, FM while the audio quality too is specifications
the charging port at the radio, USB 2.0 and a 3.5 above average. However, the Performance 08 /10
Decent performance,
bottom. Going up there is the mm audio jack. It also comes camera is just average. Overall, a multi-tasker
front facing camera and a 3.5 with a fingerprint sensor at the performance is decent.
Ease of Use 08 /10
mm audio jack. Coming to the the back. The smartphone is Doesnt hang
back of the device, on the top also accompanied with the Conclusion Value For Money 08 /10
we find the rear camera panel, SOS feature which sends the Given the above average Decent
specifications, and a
a fingerprint sensor below that users location to five pre- specifications and the decent great price
and on the lower portion there registered contacts in case performance by the device, for
OVERALL 78%
is the Intex branding. On the of an emergency. The Aqua Rs.9,499, the device can be a
left side of the device is the S7 comes in rose gold, dark good option to buy. However,
volume rocker as well as the blue and champagne colour the Intex Aqua S7 is likely to
power on/off button. options. face a tough competition
from the likes of Xiaomi PROS COnS
Decent Another Decent for Redmi 3s Prime which comes Good battery Slightly
specifications performance with 3 GB RAM, 4100 mAh
life, expensive,
Decent 720p HD
The Aqua S7 sports a 5-inch And it performed pretty battery and is powered by a
performer display
IPS (1280x720 pixels) 2.5D decently. The device is Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
curved glass display with comfortable to hold and processor. n (For detailed specifications,
please refer to My Guide)
a pixel density of 294 ppi. battery life is very good - it team@mymobile.co.in
Gionee S6 Pro
Trying to turn on the style
G
ionee has metal unibody coupled with the primary camera coupled indeed a good experience.
recently added double chamfered edges with dual-LED flash with
another member adds charm to the device, but companys logo sitting right Hardware and
to its S series it does don a similar look to beneath it (some might performance
with the launch of S6 Pro. the recently launched Gionee mistake it for fingerprint The Gionee S6 Pro is
And with this the company S6s. At the front you will sensor due to the dimple like powered by an octa-core
is optimistic that it will once find the a secondary camera design). Overall, the device MediaTek MTK6755
again become a contender coupled with an earpiece and does give a premium look processor, also known as
in the Indian smartphone the usual array of sensors but still at this price point Helio P10. The smartphone
market. But does this stylish at the top while at the base we have many others like is backed by a massive 4GB
phone have what it takes? there is the home button Xiaomi Mi 5, Lenovo Z2 Plus, of RAM and 64GB of internal
which also acts a fingerprint OnePlus 3 sporting a better storage. The smartphone
Solid design and sensor coupled with recent design language. supports all the connectivity
good display menu and back buttons. The Moving on, the device options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,
For Gionee, the design part left houses a volume rocker comes with a 5.5-inch 4G and more. At a time
of the smartphone is of and the power on/off button Full HD display with a when companies like Lenovo
uttermost importance. We while at the right you will find screen resolution of 1080x are giving you the latest
have seen many good looking the dual-SIM slot. At the top 1920 pixels. The display Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
phones from Gionee and this rest the audio jack, while at comes with some good processor coupled with some
one is not an exception. We the base there is the USB viewing angles and colour good specs at Rs.17,999,
got the gold version for the Type C port flanked between reproduction. We watched Gionee is still stuck with
review and it was indeed a two speaker grilles. the trailer of Battlefield 1 and the MediaTek processors.
smart looking device. The At the back you will find Power Rangers and it was Although, the Helio P10
PROS COnS
Sleek Mediocre
Conclusion
design, camera, Overall, with a price tag of Rs
Good average 23,999, the smartphone does
display, battery life look as a good bargain at first.
smooth UI
It does comes with some good
design language coupled with
(For detailed specifications, massive storage and RAM. But
please refer to My Guide)
if you consider other aspects
Honor 8
Dual Camera Phenomenon
Y
our smartphone
still isnt close to a
professional grade
DSLR. But the
Honor 8 has a very good camera,
offering much better results
than rival smartphones in a
compact form factor. The Honor
8 is not a cheap phone at Rs.
29,999, and it wont replace
a DSLR - but its capable of
producing some great shots
thanks to a dual-camera setup.
ViVo Y55L
Good design on a budget
V
ivo has been always the latest edition in the Y series,
known for rolling out the Y55L, will the company be able
smartphones which attract more consumers through a
come with some mix of offline retail and interesting
interesting features like Hi-Fi audio, features?
fast processors and more. And the
company has been one of those Good design and display
few brands that focus on offline The metal body has now become
retail rather than opting for the
trendy online medium. So with
Verdict
Looks 08 /10
Smart-looking
device with
metal body
Features 08 /10
Good display
but no
fingerprint
sensor
Performance 08 /10 PROS
middling
specs, Average Good display, sleek
performance
design, smooth UI
Ease of Use 08 /10
User interface
is comfortable
to use COnS
Value For
Money 08 /10 Average camera,
Can be
considered as
mediocre battery life
an option
(For detailed specifications,
OVERALL 80% please refer to My Guide)
N
ubia, earlier features power on/off button of the tasks you throw at it marks. But the company has
known as a and volume rocker, while the quite comfortably. Whether added a lot of new features
sub-brand of left houses a hybrid SIM slot. be it web surfing, uploading in its custom UI. To start
ZTE, has now The base sports a microUSB pics on Instagram, watching with, when you long press the
re-launched itself as a solo port flanked in between two videos on YouTube or simply fingerprint sensor, you open
brand. And the company is speaker grilles, while the top switching between different the screenshot menu where
all set to once hit the Indian houses an audio jack. At the apps, the smartphone does are variety of options from
market with a new strategy and back, you will see a primary handle all this with so much long screenshot, free
an all new range of products. camera coupled with LED ease. And yes it handles screenshot to screen
And to start with, the company flash and a fingerprint sensor gaming very well too, even recording. Also, when you side
has come up with a new and at the base, you will see heavy duty games like Mortal scroll from both the edges you
smartphone, Z11 mini, which the companys logo. Overall, Kombat X were running get to switch between apps,
has lots to offer at a price tag the device is certainly a well- smoothly and we did not suffer open an app of your choice
of Rs 12,999. built one and does give a any instance of lag. and you can even optimise
premium look, but on the flip The Nubia Z11 mini runs your phone by scrolling up
It looks sturdy side, is a bit slippery (hold it on Nubia UI v3.9 based on and down few times on the
Nubia has bet on the glass with caution). Android 5.0 Lollipop. Yes, edges. These small things
body, and to some extent the On the display front, the it is running on a OS which adds a lot to the final output,
company has earned some device comes with a 5-inch has started to show its aging although we do hope the
brownie points, making a Full HD display with a screen company will update the
phone which sports a glass resolution of 1080x1920
verdict device to Android 6.0 at least
front and back design, pixels. The display does do Looks 09 /10 soon, if not Nougat itself.
Sleek design and
making it stand out from the a good job as it gives good lightweight device
conventional design everyone display output, although it is Features 09 /10 and comes with
is following these days. We got not the brightest one. Amazing camera
and good display
some best camera
the white model for the review, One of the major highlights
Performance 09 /10
and the device looks exquisite packs some Impressive of the phone is surely the
with an all-white look, but the interesting and consistent
performance
camera. The Nubia Z11
back was prone to smudges, innards Ease of Use
mini sports a Sony IMX298
08 /10
so using a case is inevitable. Talking about the hardware, UI comes with Sensor 16-megapixel rear
some interesting
The device is lightweight (138 the Nubia Z11 mini is powered features camera with CMOS image
grammes) and is certainly by an octa-core Qualcomm Value For Money sensor, phase detection
08 /10
sleek (8mm thick). And Snapdragon processor coupled Can be considered autofocus, sapphire glass
as a good option
what is eye-catching is the with an with Adreno 405 GPU. lens protection, six-element
red-coloured ring around the The phone is backed by 3GB OVERALL 86% lens, /2.2 aperture and
camera and backlit buttons of RAM and 32GB of internal NeoVision 5.8 which the
at the front, making it more storage which can be further company boasts is a DSLR-
attractive. expanded up to 256GB. level photography system. At
The front sports a 5-inch The smartphone comes with PROS COnS the front, the device comes
screen with 2.5D Arc Glass a 2800mAh battery and Sleek Mediocre with an 8-megapixel sensor,
and at the top you will find a support connectivity options design, battery life, a with a back illuminated image
good bit slippery,
secondary camera coupled like Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, sensor, five-element lens,
camera, runs a dated
with LED flash and an 4G LTE, dual-SIM and more. smooth Android /2.2 aperture. The camera
earpiece, while at the base Although, the processor performance version performance is pleasantly
there are physical backlit used is a bit old, but the surprising. The device does
(For detailed specifications,
navigation buttons. The right smartphone does handle most take some interesting shots
please refer to My Guide)
Apple WAtch
SerIeS 2 Ironing out the
rough spots
I
t might not have triggered square one for some more time
off the sort of wearables now. The crown for scrolling
revolution that some and zooming in remains on
pundits had predicted, but the right, along with a single
the first Apple Watch remains the button for switching the device
benchmark for most wearables in on and off. We received the
the market today (Android Wear 42 mm edition of the Apple
seems to be nowhere in sight Watch Series 2 and it was only
in comparison). And now Apple by glancing at the detailed
has released its second edition, specs that we realized that it
with a new name tag (Apple was actually slightly larger than
Watch Series 2) as well. Just how the original Apple Watch. It is
much has it improved over its also significantly heavier at 70
predecessor? grammes as compared to the 50
grammes of the original Apple
Lookswell, similar! Watch, but we did not feel any
Those expecting a radical significant increase in weight on
design makeover for the second our wrists when we first wore it.
Apple Watch are likely to be The watch still sports a premium
disappointed with the Apple look and remains easily the most
Watch Series 2. No, it is not distinct smartwatch out there by
that it looks bad. Its just that it a mile - you cannot mix the Apple
is almost like its predecessor in Watch with another watch.
most regards. Apple has resisted
the temptation to fiddle with the But with boosted
design and those expecting a innards
more regular watch like round Beneath all that familiar paint
dial will have to put up with a however is a fair deal of updated
T
Features
he Z2 Plus it feels very premium. Lenovo is a full HD one and because everything you 09 /10
would want in a
offers staggering has gone with a fiber glass of its relatively smaller size, flagship
specs and very frame for the phone which it ends up having a higher pixel Performance
good design at a claims is stronger than metal density. The phone is powered Smooth performer, 09 /10
great battery
surprisingly low price. But how and it certainly feels very by a Qualcomm Snapdragon
Ease of Use
will it cope against some very sturdy. The shiny glassy back 820 processor and comes Innovative UI once
formidable competition? (very reminiscent of the Jet with 3 GB/ 4 GB RAM options,
you get the hang 08 /10
of it
Black iPhone 7) will however with storages at 32 GB and Value For Money
Spartan yet attract fingerprints, which is 64 GB, respectively (not The best value for
money high-end 09 /10
handsome! why perhaps the company expandable alas). The camera phone around
We have shown the Lenovo has bundled a cover along at the rear is a 13.0-megapixel OVERALL 88%
Z2 Plus to quite a few people with the device. The most one while the front, the selfie
and the first impression that notable thing about the front business is handled by a
most have had is that it comes is the total absence of any 8.0-megapixel shooter. The
from the fruity company in touch buttons beneath the connectivity options include
PROS COnS
Cupertino. And there is no 5.0-inch display - there is only 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS,
eye Mediocre
denying that there is a lot in a fingerprint scanner below and it comes packed with six catching design,
the design of the Z2 Plus that it. The USB-Type C port is at sensors. And a very interesting design, Prone to
is reminiscent of the iPhone, the base of the phone, flanked touch is the sole button just Terrific smudges,
hardware, UI has a
particularly the slightly boxy by a 3.5 mm audio jack, beneath the display - it is
Great learning curve
sides and the glass front while the rest of the phone is not just a home button, but battery life
and back. At approximately relatively plain, save for the also a fingerprint scanner,
(For detailed specifications,
141 mm in length, the Z2 SIM card slots, volume and and wait theres more, it can
please refer to My Guide)
Plus is relatively compact power/display buttons on the also function as a navigation
for this day and age, and right. This is a spare, Spartan key, letting you swipe back
rather surprisingly goes with design and will not scream for and forth between recently match
a 5.0-inch display instead attention but is nevertheless used apps. Making sure all We have seen our fair
of a 5.5-inch one as seems handsome. this keeps running for a while share of devices that boasted
to be the rage these days. At is a 3500 mAh battery. And great design and specs
8.45 mm it is relatively slim Great specs running above it is Android but came a cropper on the
and its 149 gramme weight But handsome though it is, 6.0.1 (an update to Android 7 altar of performance. Well,
is on the lighter side. This there is no doubt what is the is expected by March) with a fortunately, the Lenovo Z2
is perhaps one of the more greatest selling point of the Z2 very minimalistic, near-stock Plus is not one of them. The
compact high-end devices Pus - it is unabashedly its spec interface. phone turned in a sterling
out there in the market. And sheet. The phones display And with a performance to performance when it came
SamSung
I
t is evident that we about the Galaxy A9 Pro is
genuinely do care its similarity to the Galaxy A7
MoTo Z
Play The
Budget Modular
Moto
T
he Moto Z might It aint about the square-shaped fingerprint no pretensions about being
have hogged looks scanner just below it. The super slim, even though
most of the If the Moto Z cut a striking sides are metal coloured at 6.99 mm at its thinnest
limelight with figure with its sliver thin and have the power/display point, it qualifies for being in
its sleek design and powerful figure, the Moto Z Play is button and volume rocker the slimness stakes. The feel
specs, but for those looking cut from a more regular as well as the SIM card slots of the device however is not
for the modular magic of design fabric. The phone and the USB Type-C port. as premium as the OnePlus
the Z at a lower price, the does remind us a lot of other And unlike the Moto Z, the Z 3 or the Mi5, and some
Moto Z Play is an excellent devices from the front which Play comes with a 3.5 mm might find it slightly on the
option. But will consumers is dominated by the 5.5 inch audio jack as well. Unlike larger side, but the textured
bite? full HD display, with the that worthy, it also makes back and protruding camera
integral to the way tell us a bit more about that? behind every
successful Uber ride is a technology many
we do business
of us take for granted, and our efforts are
focused on making that ride experience as
seamless as possible. We are committed
to provide reliable, convenient and safe
IT HAS NOT BEEN THE SMOOTHEST OF RIDES transportation, everywhere, for everyone. to
FOR IT, BUT RECENT TIMES HAVE SEEN UBER make that possible, weve built a technology
platform that uses complex algorithms to
MAKING ITSELF ALMOST SYNONYMOUS WITH connect riders with driver partners.
CAB APPS, NOTWITHSTANDING SOME STIFF technology is not just key to our growth
strategy but also integral to the way we
LOCAL COMPETITION. ANUJ BHATIA MET do business. Whether it is ensuring faster
etAs, maintaining demand and supply
APURVA DALAL, HEAD OF ENGINEERING,
equilibrium, or ensuring safety before,
UBER INDIA TO FIND OUT ABOUT MORE during and after the ride, technology makes
it all possible for us. We work in many
ABOUT THE COMPNAY, ITS PLANS AND areas, such as rider growth, driver growth,
THE TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS MADE IT THE digital payments, mapping, telematics, and
the Uber core experience. While the first
PHENOMENON IT IS TODAY, EVEN IN A two areas address how riders and drivers
COUNTRY LIKE INDIA. sign up on our platform, other aspects help
improve overall Uber experience for riders
and drivers.
In Conversation
the world where there arent detailed maps excellence in Hyderabad, designed to There is a perception among section that
-- or street signs. further improve product and operations, Uber is a regular cab-booking company
the ongoing need for maps tailored with a core focus to provide specialised but not many know that you are a high-
to the Uber experience is why globally support for critical incidents that require tech company. Does that even bother you?
were doubling down on our investment in immediate attention. Uber is a technology platform that
mapping. this will allow the us to build connects riders with drivers and there is
up tailor-made maps that would provide You decided to enter India in 2013, when a car- increased awareness about how Uber is
greater level of detail. For example, last hailing business was just started to blossom. fundamentally different from traditional
year we put mapping cars on the road in Three years later, Uber is far the largest taxi business. From a time when one
the United States. now our mapping cars cab-booking company in India, as per some had to make a booking days or hours in
have hit the road in Mexico and canada as rough estimates. Tell us about your journey advance, Ubers technology has made
well. the street imagery captured by our in India. India is a global market priority for it possible for people to push a button
mapping cars will help us improve core us, and is growing at an incredible pace. and get a ride. Millions of people across
elements of the Uber experience, like ideal our journey in India started three years ago different geographies are today using Uber
pick-up and drop-off points and the best with bengaluru, the growth since then has to get around the cities in a seamless and
routes for riders and drivers. been phenomenal. We started with three efficient way. our ever-increasing rider
Additionally, we have ton of existing employees in bengaluru, we are now a 600 base is a testament to how quickly people
routes data that we use to feed into our person strong team currently operating in have embraced this transformation in the
machine learning systems that then 28 Indian cities with over 400,000 driver urban mobility space fuelled by the power
supplement existing maps with key partners on our platform. of technology.
insights and predictions of locations. Weve invested and ramped up Ubers
We are also investing heavily in vehicle only engineering centre in Asia out of How is Uber different from its key competitors?
telematics signals ingestion and analytics bangalore to tap into the deep tech talent At Uber, we believe that competition is
that further helps us keep track of our pool in India. this centers charter is to healthy, as it helps one to move forward.
vehicles including guiding them better on innovate on transportation technology We know that our technology is better
directions. for India, many of which are then rolled than that of any local competitor across
currently, our engineers around the out in other markets around the globe. the world. Given we are in 450+ cities,
world, including the ones in India are Additionally, we have also set up our center our systems are able to learn and predict/
working closely on this global project. of excellence in Hyderabad. deliver customizations a lot better because
our focus remains on creating safe, rider/driver marketplaces around the world
Does your software have any features for reliable and affordable transportation have similarities. our mission is to build
ensuring the safety of the passenger, given and making it as reliable as running the best transportation system for the world
some of the incidents that have occurred water everywhere for everyone. We have - a system that eliminates congestion and
of late? We believe that technologies like introduced a lot of firsts in India like cash pollution and so in some ways we do not
Uber provide an incredible opportunity to payments which has now been extended think of competition as our bar at all. our
improve safety of rider and drivers in new to other markets in the world. UberDoSt, primary competition is with private car
and innovative waysbefore, during and a driver referral program which was ownership. our objective is to make sure
after every ride. developed in San Francisco with operations that you dont need a car. For most people,
For riders, we have incorporated several team in bengaluru has been picked up in a car is the second-most expensive thing
innovative safety features in the app to some other cities as well. More recently, we they buy, after a house and they utilise it
ensure a safe, reliable and convenient travel launched dial an uber that allows riders to less than 5%. You are spending a lot of
from point A to point b. these include the book a ride even if they dont have the app money on a depreciating asset that you use
call masking feature, the ability to see your downloaded on their device. We are also for less than 5%. Were targeting personal
drivers details in advance, GPS tracking, investing aggressively in India especially car ownership so that people dont buy
share my journey and the HeLP button in the areas of research and expansion. their second car and gradually not even the
which connects you directly to the police We are confident that ridesharing is going first car.
control room and an internal response to be the future of urban mobility and are
team as well to ensure passenger safety. going to focus our efforts a lot more in Tell us about your revenue model, if possible
there is also a round-the-clock customer helping build awareness of this mode of We cant comment n
support through our dedicated centre of transportation. anuj@mymobile.co.in
The Budget
Face-Off
Flagship Battle
school of design with a metal back and a glass
front. Both devices are impressively slim but
the Z2 Plus is more compact thanks to its
relatively smaller display. At the end of the
day, it is really going to boil down on what
you prefer - some might find the Z2 Plus
appearance more attractive, but the glass
back picks up fingerprints. The OnePlus 3
looks more solid in comparison but does not
really stand out in a crowd. We are going with
the Z2 Plus for its compactness on this one.
Winner: Lenovo Z2 Plus
Hardware
This is a tight tussle with both devices
sporting full HD displays, 64GB
RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
processors and front facing fingerprint
A
few years ago, the thought sensors (Lenovos also doubles up
of getting a high-end device as a navigation touchpad in a neat
for below Rs 30,000 would touch). However the OnePlus 3
have been considered a pipe also brings an AMOLED display
dream. Today, any device that goes above to the mix and has more RAM (6
that price point has a lot to prove, as there GB) and a camera with a higher megapixel
are a number of brands that are offering count (16.0-megapixel), which hand it victory
devices with high-end specs at well below in this round.
those price points. And for those looking for Winner: OnePlus 3
a high-end phone at a tight budget, there
are perhaps no better alternatives than the Software
Lenovo Z2 Plus (4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage Both phones come with Android 6.0 running
edition) and the OnePlus 3 ( 6 GB RAM, 64 out of the box, but each has its own flavour.
GB storage edition). But which of the two is While Lenovo has tried to keep things as
actually best suited for your requirements? close as possible to stock Android, OnePlus
Lets try and get an answer. has gone with its own Oxygen OS for the
OnePlus 3. Both are relatively unobtrusive
Design and Appearance interfaces which work well with the given
Its a clash between glass and metal here. hardware, and Lenovo has even added
While the Z2 Plus comes with a fibre glass some sport-centric features to the Z2 Plus.
frame sandwiched between two layers of In terms of sheer potential, however, we
glass, the OnePlus 3 harks back to the HTC would hand this round to the OnePlus 3, as
Face-Off
DO JUSTICE TO MOST FLAGSHIPS OUT THERE. AND THEY BOTH OFFER
THEM AT PRICES THAT SEEM TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. BUT WHICH OF THE
LENOVO Z2 PLUS AND THE ONEPLUS 3 IS THE PHONE FOR YOU?
By Nimish Dubey
Buyers Guide:
In Focus
In Focus
O
nce upon a time, before the in terms of sound quality and do a good job
age of Walkman, headphones in noise reduction.
were only limited to the people Headphones are also distinguished in
in the military or to telephone terms of wired and wireless. through wired
and radio operators. these were big, clumsy headphones, you can connect your phone or
looking devices with people using it only on any other music device using a wire. Usually,
special occasions. but with the arrival of these have a 3.5mm audio cable, which is
the Walkman and the introduction of the widely present in most of the audio devices.
3.5mm audio jack, we saw headphones Wired headphones have the advantage of
transforming into an integral part of our life. providing a superior sound quality than
Whether be it for pumping up your workout, the wireless one. Whereas, the wireless
going on a trip, or just relaxing at home headphones give you high portability factor,
while listening to your favourite classic or as you dont need any wire to connect to your
jazz music, headphones have redefined the smartphone or any other audio device. most
experience in the sound department starting
music experience for us. of the wireless headphones are connected
from high-pitch to deep bass.
In todays scenario, where there are via bluetooth through which you can just
a plethora of headphones with different pair your bluetooth-enabled device like
features and sizes, choosing the right one smartphones, laptops or tablets and can
Durability
Well, we dont buy headphones on a frequent
for you might get a little messy affair. It easily roam around over a short distance
basis. Unlike other electronics, headphones
is a well-known fact that headphones are without losing your connection to sound.
dont get obsolete within a short period of
a reflection of your lifestyle and hence
choosing the right one for you is of uttermost Choose the right size time. And if you purchase a good-quality of
headphones, then chances are there that it
importance. So to clear the mist, we present choosing the right size is of great
will stick for a longer period of time. So while
you a guide that will help you to choose the importance. As we told earlier, headphones
looking for a good pair of headphones, you
right headphone. but before that, lets gets come in different sizes, and in the end it
should also keep an eye on the build quality.
the basics right. all boils down to your preference. If you
there are many headphones which come
want some lightweight headphone which
What are the types can easily fold and tucked in your pocket,
with braided cables and can withstand
In Conversation
WITH PRODUCTS THAT ARE GETTING NOTICED AND APPRECIATED. ROHAN
PAL MET VINOD PANDIT, GM, SALES AND AMIT SAXENA VP MARKETING,
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LEPHONE TECHNOLOGY INDIA PVT. LTD.
Lephone is relatively a new name in the Indian vinod Pandit: the channel is already aware will stick to the traditional offline medium in
mobile phone industry. Can you tell us more about brand Lephone which gives us an terms of selling your devices? Amit Saxena:
about the company? vinod Pandit : Lephone edge over market reach, which will help us currently we are increasing our presence
is not a new name in Indian mobile Industry in placing quality products in short span of in traditional channel, as this is the biggest
as we have been present in Indian mobile time. though we will not be the cheapest channel in India. Later on we will also adopt
market for more than six years through but will offer a competitive price with o2o (offline to online) strategy which will
various channel of distribution, hence most (n+1 Factor) in present market scenario support our traditional channel also.
of the channel partners are aware of the with respect to the similar offerings from
brand Lephone competitions. With the type of product we It is a well-known fact that people in India
Lephone is a multinational mobile have launched we are sure that will create a are more conscious about the price tag and
companyestablished from china in Year pool of happy and satisfied customers. want a good value for money device. How
2005 by mr. Huang mingQuan (mr. victor). are you planning to encash this opportunity?
over the past decade, it has established Are there any specific models that you wish to vinod Pandit : As already mentioned by
itself as one of the leading mobile phone highlight as regards the Indian market? Amit Amit, we will not be the cheapest but at a
company in china. Lephone has pioneered Saxena:In todays market scenario 2 things competitive price with (n+1) factor to the
the democratization of technology in china are very important to a customer which we customer. to gain the added advantage
by offerings affordable innovations through are targeting. one is selfie second is big we would like to concentrate more on
their product offerings and removing battery. Keeping in mind these two points, reach as per our research, maximum new
barriers for large scale adoptions of advance we intend to develop our product portfolio brands are only focusing on tier 1 category
technologies. Lephone is currently among for the Indian market. In fact, we have town rather than tier 2 or 3; but with the
top 10 smartphone brands in china. Its already introduced one device with both help of our strong direct distribution we
a brand which is close to the heart of the these features which is going to be a big would like to focus more on tier 2 and 3
youth. And celebrates the vibrancies of life game changer in feature phone category in category towns as these places have got a
and empowerment. Indian market. In Smart Phones, we will huge opportunity which we want to focus
be available in 4.5, 5 and 5.5-inch screen and encash .
How do you see the Indian markets and what devices with major focus on memory,
are your targets in this regard? vinod Pandit camera and 4G capacity. What is your opinion on the Make in India
: India is one of the largest markets in the initiative? Amit Saxena: We are very
world with lot of potential and opportunities; A major challenge for many phone much impressed with the make in India
as compare to new brands, Lephone has manufacturers in India is after sales and campaign. All our product offerings are
advantage in channel acceptance that service. How are you planning to deal with under the umbrella of make in India. As
will make our journey easier in achieving this? Amit Saxena:You are absolutely a believer and participant in the make in
our short term and long term targets such right, After Sales is one of the Key Factor India policy, the company has commenced
as achieving a retail network of 25000 for success of any brand in India. We are business in India from this year.
retail partners and 300 Direct Distribution also very much concerned about this. but
Partners by 31st march 2017 with a instead of playing any aftersales related What are your expansion plans and future
market share of 2 per cent and in long run marketing gimmick we would like to brand strategy? Amit Saxena: by the end
we would like to be present among top ten increase our service center reach across of this financial year we would like to
mobile Handset brands in India. the country. We have already opened 123 have distribution presence in all districts
service centers in last 3 months which we of India. In starting, we will focus more
In the present scenario where many brands are planning to go up to 500+ by end of this in shop level activities and other retail
are offering impressive specification that too financial year. activation programs down the line which
at a relatively lower price, why do you think will be supported by the AtL also. n
that a consumer will opt for a Lephone device Are you going to follow the online channel or rohan@mymobile.co.in
Shopping List
Xiaomi Mi 5s
X iaomis mi 5 was a promising smartphone but was overshadowed by the
mighty onePlus 3. Xiaomi recently launched the mi 5s, the successor
to the mi 5 in China. Theres one major addition - a ultrasonic fingerprint
scanner built under the glass at the bottom of the phone. The mi 5s looks
sophisticated, with full HD 5.15 inch display, Snapdragon 821 processor
coupled with 4Gb rAm, 64Gb/128Gb of internal memory, and a 3,200mAH
battery. Sonys new ImX378 12-megapixel camera sensor is on the rear,
with a 4-megapixel camera on the front. A top-notch Android smartphone
starting at $300 (or approx rs. 20,119). Unbelievably, good! n
Infocus
GOING ABROAD OR HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE OVERSEAS
WHO IS COMING VISITING? GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A
NUMBER OF DEVICES OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED
IN THE COUNTRY, WE SUGGEST YOU HAND THEM THIS UBER GEEK
SHOPPING LIST. ANUJ BHATIA
T
iPad Pro from scratches. Dubbed the Slim book
he flagship
Pro, it can be used in four different modes. The
action camera
case opens as a clamshell, exposing the illuminated
from GoPro - the
keyboard and also activating the display. The keys
Hero 5 black has
are well spaced, offering a good typing experience.
been launched after
At $149 (or approx rs. 9941), the Slim book Pro is
months of rumours.
a great alternative to Apples Smart Keyboard. n
Like its predecessor, GoPro Hero 5 black is small and easy to
mount. It has a small touch screen on the back for navigation
purpose. The action camera has a built-in waterproof casing,
which can withstand water pressures up to 10 meters without
the need for a separate housing. The Hero 5 black can take
12-megapixel stills, and also captures wide-angle photos
and videos. And yes, the action camera will be able to shoot
in rAW. Interestingly, footage from the camera can be easily
uploaded to GoPros new cloud service, dubbed GoPro Plus.
The GoPro Hero 5 black, a 4K camera with built-in GPS,
video stabilization and three integrated microphones sells
for $399 (or approx rs. 26,221). n
Amazon Echo Dot W ho says there are no takers for smart speakers? Well,
Amazon proved the market wrong with the success of the
echo, and now it has added a new member with a cheaper version,
the echo Dot. So basically, the echo Dot is a smaller-sized version
of the echo, a voice-activated home speaker with bluetooth and
Wi-Fi capability. Priced at just $49 (or approx rs. 3626), the echo
Dot features a digital assistant called Alexa, which is like Siri,
Google now and Cortana. Alexa responds to her name - and will
recognise your video to help you listen to music playback, setting
alarms, providing real-time information on traffic and weather. A
great add-on, if youre ready to give space to Alexa. n
anuj@mymobile.co.in
november 2016 | 95
In focus Special
T
he Galaxy note 7 fiasco image. The company spent a huge sum were halted, and roughly 2.5 million units
will probably go as one of of money on marketing to better connect were recalled immediately.
the biggest catastrophes in with consumers. And the South Korean Samsung announced that it was
modern tech history. And at company was having a great time until the halting the sales of the Galaxy note 7
the time of writing, it had also become the Galaxy note 7 crisis botched up its image and starting an exchange programme and
most expensive product recall in the tech worldwide. With sales of its Galaxy S7 and sales resumed. but that was not the end
industry ever. Samsung recently stated J series going smoothly, the arrival of the of the matter. multiple reports of replaced
that the discontinuation of the Galaxy note Galaxy note 7 was already seen as a sure units catching fire started to come in,
7 would cost the company about $3 billion shot success when it first debuted in the embarrassing Samsung further to the
during the current and next quarters, first week of August. The note 7 received core. Finally, Samsung issued a statement
bringing the total cost of the recall to at positive reviews from the mainstream saying that the production of the Galaxy
least $5.3 billion. no doubt, Samsung media and was already hailed as the true note 7 had been permanently stopped.
has enough cash reserves to absorb the competitor to then soon-to-be-announced The massive recall exercise of the
shock from the Galaxy note 7 recall, the iPhone 7. Galaxy note 7 is an embarrassing setback
damage done is not just financial but also but within a few weeks of its launch, for Samsung. more importantly, the
in terms of public perception, courtesy all reports of the device catching fire and Galaxy note 7 recall case raises some
the negative publicity - for weeks, memes exploding surfaced, in some cases burning serious questions. At first, Samsung
mocking the note 7 ruled the Internet down cars. The phone was supposed to acknowledged that a minor manufacturing
and there was even a GTA 5 mod that had hit the Indian market on September 2; error in the batteries for the Galaxy note 7
people throwing note 7 devices instead of however, the retail availability had to be was causing the device to overheat. The
explosives at the enemy. And how can we postponed immediately after the news recall of a product, especially one that is
ignore those announcements of not using of the global recall started to spread like a flagship like the Galaxy note 7 couldnt
the note 7 at airports? wildfire. Soon afterwards, the Indian be easy. Samsung had an option to pull
over the past few years, Samsung aviation regulator too banned the use of the out the devices from the market and end
has been rather cautious about its public Galaxy note 7 on board flights amid growing the production. In retrospect, it would have
concerns of the safety of passengers. Sales made more sense. The company instead
wasted no time to announce an exchange
In focus
program in a bid to entice consumers from
not buying Apples new iPhones.
For the replacement, Samsung shifted
to another battery supplier chinas Amperex
Technology Ltd (ATL). Unfortunately, this
time the replacement units also began
exploding. Samsung didnt gave any concrete
explanation, but continued to sell the note
7, urging people to pick up the replacement
units marked as safe. many believe that
Samsungs proprietary fast-charging feature
might have led to the note 7 defect. Its
still unclear exactly why the Galaxy note 7
batteries blew up, and Samsung isnt ready
to reveal much.
one of the reasons for the whole fiasco could
well lie in the companys competitiveness to
retain its market leadership position. Knowing
very well that Apple would announce the new
iPhones in the month of September, Samsung
rushed to the market with the Galaxy note 7,
eyeing a lead over the cupertino-based tech
giant. In order to launch the device first in
the market, Samsung might have ignored
the type of quality checks that were required
to pass the Galaxy note 7 safe to use. Its
hard to digest that the company as big as
Samsung - perhaps the most experienced
electronics manufacturer could have made
such essential safety error.
The failure to openly communicate with
its consumers once accidents began to occur
further raises questions over the management
style at the highest level. The Galaxy note
7 recall isnt a small one. It is a big blow
to Samsung - a brand with an expertise in
making hardware products with decades of
experience. The stars are not with Samsung
right now but it would be naive to suggest that
the company lacks the wherewithal to bounce
back. Just how and when is not known. but
the sooner it regains the consumers faith,
the better it would be for the Korean giant.
Almost a decade ago, nokia bounced back
stronger than ever from the battery crisis. It
is now Samsungs turn to rise from the ashes
of the note 7. n
anuj@mymobile.co.in
AirDrop
In focus
bazaar bargain
Great Deals
Samsung Galaxy
S6 Edge
For a long time, Samsung was stuck between the
right hardware and design. The Galaxy S5 was a
great smartphone, hardware-wise, but less convincing
from the design point of view. In 2015, the South
Korean company launched the Galaxy S6 and it not
only helped the brand to compete with its peers more
strongly than ever but, it made Samsung the king
of premium Android smartphones. With the launch
of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, the last-generation
Galaxy S6 edge may look old but still has enough
oomph left. right now you can grab the previous
generation model for rs.34,900, down from rs.
58,900. The original Galaxy S6 edge received a ton
of praise owing to a dual curved display, the design
later continued with the Galaxy S7 edge. The Galaxy
S6 edge is a great smartphone, although some may
not like the lack of micro SD support. n
Asus ZenFone 2
(ZE551ML)
Those looking to score a great deal on ZenFone 2
will be delighted to know that the smartphone can
be purchased for just rs. 17,999, down from its
original price of rs. 22,999. The ZenFone 2 might
not be a new device anymore, but its one of the
best Android smartphones out there in the market
and was after all the first to come with 4 Gb rAm.
The ZenFone 2 (Ze551mL) comes with a 5.5-inch
FHD display, a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3850
processor, 4Gb rAm, 64Gb of expandable internal
storage, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel
front shooter, and a 3,000mAh battery. Keeping
this in mind, we think that the ZenFone 2 for rs.
17,999 is a stellar deal. n team@mymobile.co.in
Launched at: rs 58,900
Current Price: rs 34,900
(Note: Prices are those available at prominent dealers, online
Price fall: 40.7 per cent and/or offline. They may not reflect official price reductions)
Beat Stomper:
Cant stop, wont stop!
W
e all know how closely music and games are combined the
related. Without good music,a game feels banal. perfect visuals
And without a good game, you cannot enjoy the with breath-taking
music in it. So what if we tell you that there is a game which is techno music, which brings you to play again and again.
based on music? no, we are not talking about normal games And the music allied with the gameplay is good enough to
based music, but a beautiful mix of both. Known as beat deliver an adrenaline rush. And once you are into the game,
Stomper, the game is one of those few games that will drive there is no coming back - with each passage of platform,
you crazy in both gaming and music experience. To start your speed increases gradually and the platforms tend to
with, the gameplay is based on a vertical chaser. In the game get shorter, which can give a mini heart attack to the most
you play as little neon happy square. All you have to do is go hardcore gamers. Although, at the starting only one song is
jumping from one platform to another in the endless climbing available, but as you progress further and complete various
game. The controls are typically simple, you have touch to goals you unlock different songs. And each song has its own
make your little neon friend fly and another tap will land on visual theme making it so that you never get bored with it.
another platform. easier said than done, time is everything overall, the visuals are mesmerizing, music is wonderful and
here. Your one wrong move means boom, game over! but the gameplay is addictive. And its available for free, which
you get used to controls after playing it a few times. What makes it a game you should carry on your smartphone.
makes the game so special is the immersive visual and music Available from: iTunes App Store, Google Play Store
experience one get playing the game. The developers have Price: Free n
Game On
Batman the telltale SerieS
Interactive Storytelling at its best
S
uperhero games generally tend to follow a high action-
oriented template - you get the chance of stepping into
the shoes (digital ones, of course) of someone to save the
world from evil. And this normally involves a fair bit of leaping,
running, flying and beating up the opposition, with the story
merely acting as a prop for all the adrenaline action. And this
treatment has been meted out to the caped crusader series as
well in the Arkham series that we have been seeing over the
past couple of years on mobile platforms.
Telltale games however have taken a different approach.
The Telltale Series does have its share of bat-fist action and
there are plenty of stunts too, but the Telltale Series is like a
massive comic book canvas through which you navigate using
the choices you make. In some ways, it is reminiscent of the
classic rPGs of a decade ago when the story move depending
on your choices in the game. Here too, as batman, you dont
just have to wade into battle (which is generally a brief, button
mashing affair) but you also have to take calls on how to react
to specific queries that keep coming up during the game. And
yes, the game play keeps changing depending on the decisions
you take. Graphics are excellent and sound effects are very
good too (we recommend playing the game with a pair
of headphones).
The big question of course, is whether all this is
worth the rather stiff rs 300 price tag that the game
commands. We have our doubts. For the game itself is a
hefty download (about 1 Gb), as are the episodes
and while we can see some loving the whole
interactive story telling element, the action
junkies might simply yearn
for some rather more
old fashioned stunts
and fisticuffs. We are
recommending this
for those looking for a
highly interactive story
rather than for action
lovers.
Available from: iTunes
App Store
Price: rs. 300 n
Game On
head BaSketBall Slam Dunk!
W
hat if you are angry, while playing basketball? the lower left side through which you can control your
Well, you convert your rage into a deadly characters movement and on the right there is a swing
weapon and score a basket. no we are not and jump button through which you can attack your enemy
talking about another Shaolin Soccer type movie, but a and jump to put the ball in the opponents basket. There
game which is becoming a rage these days. Dubbed as is a special bar, which when full, will give you the ability
Head basketball, the game is all about scoring maximum through which you can perform your special moves. The
points like we do in a normal basketball game, but with a beauty of this game are the small characters (mostly their
twist. Here you have particular skills and power that you heads are visible hence the name) and whenever your
can use while scoring a basket and make your enemy burn opponent scores, your character gets angry, which is kind
into ashes (literally!). In the game, you play as Taemin, a of cool and cute. The gameplay is simple, joyful and once
Korean basketballer, and as you advance further, you get started you will end up playing for hours and hours. You
to unlock different characters. The game has different can also upgrade your skills and can also give a new look
modes starting from Arcade, in which you play against to your avatar but for that you will require more coins (that
different characters. In campaign mode, you have a is where in-app purchases kicks in). but overall, the game
proper story line, while in tournament mode you can play can be considered as a perfect mix of sports and action.
different levels of tournament. Then there is survival and And a game you should play at least once.
multiplayer mode. The controls are simple. Available from: iTunes App Store, Google Play Store
There are right and left on button on Price: Free n
i
magine you are in a world where the goons and bad kind of take you back in time (long live contra!). Like any
guys have taken over the village and people are now retro game, the levels are lengthy but you never get bored
terrified, petrified and scared to death. What you with them and want to play more and more. And thankfully
will do in this case? Well, it is simple. You become the there are plenty of checkpoints to save your progress. This
man, and save the innocent villagers from this mayhem. is not all - you also get some shops through which you
Dont worry, we are not trying to sell you a movie plot, but can restore your health and restock your weapons. All you
talking about a new game from Halfbrick. The game is all have to do is collect coins which can be used to buy new
about punching, kicking, killing the enemies and avoiding weapons and even upgrade your skills. Later on, you can
getting shot, all the while protecting villagers from the also play as Josie, and the Halfbrick famous character
goons. To start with, you play as Dan who is on a journey to barry. The controls are rather simplethere are on-screen
defeat the enemy and make the world a better place. And navigation buttons on the left and two buttons on the
during this, he has to go through many levels of pain and right for punching and jumping. There is a special button
difficulties. There are enemies, more enemies for weapon attacks and then there is a button for special
and then more enemies and you have to catch attacks. The game can be considered as one of the best
them off guard (some are taking selfies in retro-style arcade game we have seen so far and is surely
their free time) on the way. And then there are the game you should be already downloading and playing
boss modes, and seriously they are big! The if you are fond of the classics.
best part about the game is the retro looking Available from: iTunes App Store, Google Play Store
graphics the developers have given, which Price: Free n
Game On
evil dead: Endless Nightmare; the
return of a classic horror title
i
t is a well-known fact that when it comes to horror Deadites and complete three sets of missions to move on
movies, then the evil Dead series is one of the scariest to the next chapter. And once you complete a chapter, you
and greatest horror movies of all time. Since its first are awarded with weapons, powerups and the stamina to
theatrical launch in the late 1980s, the movie has become withstand the attacks from the zombies. As you progress
a cult. And now boomdash Digital Limited has just turned further, the levels become tougher. During your run, you
the classic horror movie into an endless game of horror. also have to collect droplets and five small pieces. The
Known as evil Dead: nightmare, the game is all about droplets are used to upgrade your weapons and there are
running for your life and avoiding the dead zombies known also in-app coins through which you can access weapons
as Deadite, all while covering the maximum distance. You earlier. but once you collect all the small pieces, you are
start with the films iconic cabin and all you have to do is teleported to a different place where you need to kill the
tap on the gate and you are ready to face the wrath of the giant Witch in order to continue the game. The controls
Deadites. The game does have a gameplay similar to Into are simple. overall, with some good graphics, coupled
The Dead, where you have dodge the zombies, kill them, with some insane gameplay and music, evil Dead: endless
and shoot them till you are captured. but what makes it nightmare does justice to the film it is named after.
different are iconic weapons, from chainsaw to shotgun, Available from: iTunes App Store
and the background music at the starting, which is kind Price: Free n
of spooky. coming to the gameplay, you have to dodge the rohan@mymobile.co.in
Wallpapers
Jazzing up your phone
O
nce considered to be one see in Googles own app- there are
of the most downloaded some beautiful textures, architectural
apps for a phone - they shots, landscapes and so on, and in a neat
were prominent offerings at most WAP touch, Google also allows you to access the
portals - wallpapers have been relegated to wallpapers that come with your device as
the backstage of the app world. most people well as your images. our own favorites were
now try to pick one of their own pictures to use the Google earth images which were honestly
or choose from vast libraries of images available out of the world. You also get the standard Live
on other apps or even online. So what makes Wallpapers that accompany stock Android, and in
Googles new wallpaper app any different from a very neat touch, can also explore details about
the hundreds out there? And why on earth would different pictures by using the explore option
anyone opt for it instead of simply dipping into that accompanies them. You can also opt to tell
their existing image library? Well, the answer is the app to change the wallpaper for you every day
not easy to give. For the Wallpaper app, which automatically, thus ensuring that your phone has
is an Android exclusive, actually comes with a new look every day. That might not sound like
trademark Google simplicity - it is simply a a lot for many people when you consider the
collection of wallpapers. However, it is when alternatives but ah, the difference is that this
you take a closer look at them that you start app comes from Google, with traditional
seeing whats special, and that is the sheer simplicity and ease of use as well as assured
quality of visual content that Google has image quality. Got an Android phone?
packed into the app. Yes, there are Give it a makeover with this app.
wallpapers in several apps, but Available from: iTunes App Store, Google
we doubt if they are of the Play Store
kind of quality that you Price: Free. n
Rating
Software
I
magine someone taking your images and developing put in the background (one is locked again) . You can
music to go with them?melodist does that. It is an adjust the speed of the melody and can also share it if
app which picks photos from your gallery or the you want. once you melodise, the image will vanish and
pictures that you click and develops music to go with it the animation will take its place. Having said that, we
in simple terms. think there is not much to the application. We wish there
once you download the app, you just have to allow were different melodies that could be customised into
the application to access your photos and camera and one for a particular photo or if we could select a number
voila! the application is good to go. The best part about of pictures and queue them together to make a photo
the application is that you dont need to sign in or log story kind of a product with music in the background.
in anywhere to use it: you can just install the app, give Unfortunately, the app doesnt provide you with all that
the permission to use your pictures and the app will do but hopefully with coming updates; the developers will
the rest. bring in various other engaging updates. We certainly
The application doesnt create melodies to go with your hope they do, for in its current state, melodist is really
pictures out of the blue. It analyses the hues, contrast all sound and not much substance. Worth a try for those
and the colours of the images and uses the colour scheme who want something simple
to develop music. There are three animations effects Available from: iTunes App Store
from which you can choose the one you like to see on your Price: Free. n
screen (out of the three, one is locked). There are five
different tones to choose from which decides the sound
Rating
Buffer Social
media scheduler
s
ocial media is an integral part of our lives and it has platform selected. The app will manage your page and
made the world virtually a smaller place, making will ask you how many times a day would you like to post
it easy for us to communicate, share and voice our something on the social site. The application also uses
opinion and ideas. but with a new social media platform your email id to keep you in the loop if anything suspicious
popping up every other day, it becomes a little difficult to happens from your account.
manage all these. What if we tell you, there is an application once you are through with all the permissions, buffer will
which can manage it all for you. Well, buffer is one such help you post and share a post on multiple platforms from
app. one place and also provides you with the activities taking
The application which is available on both Google Play place around your post. not only this, it also schedules
Store and Apples App Store is not a very heavy application. yours post for you and buzzes you when it is time to post
The first thing you see when you open the platform is a a new one. but the one thing which poked us in the eye,
choice between, new to buffer and Already have an a little is the fact that there are only a selected platforms
account. If you are a newbie, you have to sign-in in order to the app manages and doesnt allow one to manage other
use the application. buffer will give you a brief but boring apps. All in all, buffer is a must have application for all
introduction to application and what it does. The app will those who want to stay active on the social media and save
then provide you with five social media options including time at the same time.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and email. You Available from: iTunes App Store, Google Play Store
can sign into each one of these or selected ones as per Price: Free. n
your liking. once logged in, the application will ask your
permission to use your page and app of the social media
Rating
Software
share easily
W
e know the struggle of reading something
brilliant online and then being unable to
share it without going through the copy-
pasting, opening another app and sharing process.
This problem has finally been rectified by an app called
Highly. Highly is an application which allows you to
highlight words, lines, paragraphs from a particular
article and share it over a number of other platforms with
your friends. The application hardly takes anytime to
install as its size is just over 35 mb. While downloading,
there arent any Terms and Conditions that one has
to agree to. once installed the application is pretty
much ready to use. At first the user interface of the
application may appear to be a little confusing because
the application directly opens a noted web portal, but
a small icon of the top right hand side of the screen
which explains how the app works to beginners.
While using the application, users can use their
finger as a highlighter and can swipe from left to right
to highlight certain lines or paragraphs in the article
and can swipe right to left to share the highlighted
portion with their friends. Users can simply tap on the
screen to jump from one article to another. You can
also save your collected highlights at one place which
can be searched for whenever required. Highly allows
you to share content on Facebook, Twitter, email and
imessage. We would have liked a few more platforms
in the list but it is something.
The app is basically based around major publications
of USA, so dont get confused of suddenly a post from
The Los Angeles Times pops up on your screen. There
is an option to sign up in the application, but we didnt
see it adding value. Another annoying thing about the
application is the ads which cover your screen and can
be specifically irritating while you are reading.
The app is good for those who want to stay up to date
about popular things happening around the world but
it is a very confusing, take our word for it.
Available from: iTunes App Store
Price: Free. n
Rating
gOOgle allO
Adding muscle to messaging
I
ts previous efforts in this field than anything we have seen
might not have exactly set the before. You can ask it about
tech world on fire, but that has the weather, solve equations
not stopped Google from trying to make its and about the nearest place to
presence felt in the world of messaging. And have coffee. Whats more, you can
its latest effort is Google Allo, which it calls a even place it in a group chat and use
smarter messaging app. on the surface, it might it to fix up a place to meet or a film to
seem the same as your standard messaging app, see and so on. once again, it gets better
with the routine dialogue buttons and the contact with usage as it studies your patterns
list to whom you can send stickers, text messages and your tastes and preferences. There is
and the like, but scratch below that surface and you also an incognito mode for those worried
see what makes the app very different from the run about being spied on and a truckload
of the mill messaging app. There is for instance, of photos, emojis and stickers with the
the Smart reply option where the app suggests option to scribble on them if need be
replies automatically based on the message you (shades of Snapchat, we wonder?). And
have received - so it might suggest awww it all works smoothly enough too. Pretty
when someone sends a picture of kittens, for much one of those apps you must try out
instance. It gets better with your usage as if you are a messaging freak, even if it is
it tracks your patterns. but the real star just to talk to the Assistant.
of the show is the Google Assistant, Available from: iTunes App Store, Google
which is as its name suggests, a Play Store
virtual assistant, but which Price: Free. n
is more versatile Rating
Software
prIsMa (vIdeO) Now moving
pictures get arty
p
risma was one of the most talked about apps of 2016. The app made
headlines with its ability to add artistic effects to images, making them
appear more like watercolour works than photographs. making all this
happen was a complex algorithm that rather than just smudge colours and
change saturation levels (as some other photo to art apps did), actually tried
to understand the image and blend it with the artist whose effect was being
requested by the user. This made the entire process of converting the image to a
picture slightly long drawn but in most cases, the results more than justified the
time invested in the process. The app, as is well known, became a cult hit and
although the initial rage about it seems to have tailed off, remains one of the most
popular ones out there. And well, it has now added another string to its bow of
filters - the ability to add those art like effects to videos as well. As the app has
been designed mainly for Instagram, the format is still designed for that social
network. You can shoot videos that span fifteen seconds and then go right ahead
and add the very filters that you used for your photographs to create some very
artistic moving pictures. no, it is not as smooth as the still image process and it
takes some time to work out which filter works best with which sort of video but
at the end of the day, once you get the hang of it, you will end up with videos that
look like artistic masterpieces. There is a rather long waiting period involved as
you wait for the app to convert the video into its more artistic variant, but just
as in the case of the still images, we can assure you that the wait is well worth it
(if not, then we would suggest shooting videos of much shorter duration as you
get used to different filters and the contexts in which they can be used). An ioS
only feature as of now, but still a must-use one!
Available from: iTunes App Store Rating
Price: Free n nimish@mymobile.co.in
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MY GUIDE
While My Mobile tries to ensure accuracy in the pricing and
features any discrepancies that may emerge are beyond our
control. Please check with the retailer about features of the
phone before buying. Feel free to update us.
(Last updated on October 20, 2016)
Disclaimer :
The prices quoted in My Guide are the Best
Buy prices quoted by the respective companies,
ex-Delhi. The prices may vary on account of
promotional schemes or dealer discretion.
Microsoft
Up to Rs. 2,499
Tablets
SpreadtrumST
Intel AtomIA
Qualcomm
SnapdragonQS
MediaTekMT
MediaTek
HelioMTH
MYMOBILE
MYGUIDE
MODELS MICROSOFT MICROSOFT MICROSOFT
PARAMETERS MICROSOFT
Model 215 Asha 225 Nokia 230 Lumia 535 Lumia 550 Lumia 540 Lumia 640
Display (inches/res) 2.4/240 x 320 2.8/ 320 x 240 2.0/ 320 x 240 5.0/ 960 x 540 4.7/ 720 x 1280 5.0/ 720 x 1280 5.0/ 720 x 1280
Dimension (mm) 116 x 50 x x12.9 124 x 55.5 x 10.4 124.6 x 53.4 x 10.9 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 136.1 x 67.8 x 9.9 144 x 73.7 x 8.6 141.3 x 72.2 x 8.8
Operating system Series 30+ Series 30+ Series 30+ Windows Phone 8.1 Windows 10 Windows Phone 8.1 Windows Phone 8.1
Launch January, 2015 April, 2014 February, 2016 January, 2015 October, 2015 April, 2015 March, 2015
Display (inches/res) 5.0/ 720 x 1280 5.2/ 2560 x 1440 5.7/ 2560 x 1440 1.8/128 x 160 1.8 /128 x 160 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320
Dimension (mm) 142 x 70.9 x 6.9 145 x 73.2 x 8.2 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 120.2 x 40.65 x 20.6 120.2 x 40.65 x 20.6 140.6 x 50.4 x 25 140.6 x 50.4 x 25
Processor/RAM QS 212/1 GB QS 808/3GB QS 810/3GB NA/ 32MB NA/ 32MB NA/ 32MB NA/ 32MB
Rear/Front Camera 8MP/5MP 20MP/5MP 20MP/5MP 1.3MP/ 0 MP 1.3MP/ 0 MP 1.3MP/ 0MP 1.3MP/ 0MP
Display (inches/res) 1.8/128 x 160 3.5/ 320 x 480 3.5/320 x 480 1.8/- 1.8/- 1.8/128 x 160 1.8/128 x 160
Dimension (mm) 1134713.8 125 x 67.2 x 10 - 111.4 x 46.8 x 11.5 122.6 x 50.7 x 14.3 112 x 48.5 x 13 112 x 46.5 x 13.5
Processor/RAM NA/ 32MB NA/ 64MB RDA 8810M/256MB ST 6531DA/NA ST 6531DA/NA NA/No NA/No
Rear/Front Camera 1.3MP/ 0 MP 1.3MP/ 0MP 2MP/No 0.3 MP/NA 1.3 MP/NA Digital camera/No
Display (inches/res) 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 1.77/ 240 x 320 1.77/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320
Dimension (mm) 118 x 51.7 x 9.9 122.5 x 52 x 15.6 127.5 x 53 x 14.2 114.5 x 49.3 x 14.2 116.6 x 50 x 15.8 118 x 51.7 x 14.2 124.5 x 54 x 11.4
Operating system NA NA NA - - - -
Launch Sept, 2016 Sept, 2016 Aug, 2016 April, 2016 April, 2016 May, 2016 May, 2016
Display (inches/res) 2.4/240 x 320 2.4/240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/240 x 320 2.8/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320
Dimension (mm) 122.7 x 52 x 14 124.7 x 53 x 11 123 x 52.5 x 13.15 114.7 x 50 x 13.9 126 x 52.5 x 12.6 124.2*53*11.3 124*52*12
Rear/Front Camera Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No
PARAMETERS ZIOX
Model Z X304 Z 33 Z 314 Z 23 Z 304 mini Z 38 Z 39
Display (inches/res) 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320 1.8/128 x 160 1.8/128 x 160 2.4/ 240 x 320 2.4/ 240 x 320
Dimension (mm) 125 x 53 x 14.4 125 x 52.5 x 13.6 121 x 52 x 13.45 113 x 49.6 x 14.95 111.2 x 46.5 x 14.2 125 x 53 x 13.6 125 x 53 x 13.6
Weight (grams) 98 98 89 86 73 89 99
Rear/Front Camera Digital camera/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No Digital camera/No
Launch April, 2016 May, 2016 July, 2016 Aug, 2016 Aug, 2016 Aug, 2016 July, 2016
Display (inches/res) 5.0/720 x 1280 4.5/ 854 x 480 4.5 /- 5.0/ 540 x 960 4.5/ 480 x 854 4.5/ 854 x 480 5/720x1280
Dimension (mm) 144.5 x 71 x 10 134.3 x 66.7 X 10 140 x 66.88 x 9.65 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 135.65 x 67.38 x 10.43 136.8 x 67 x 10.95 142.4x72x9.6
Operating system Android OS, v5.1 Android OS, v4.4 5.1 Lollipop 5.2 Lollipop Android OS, 6.0 Android 5.1 Sailfish 2.0
Launch August, 2015 May, 2015 - - April, 2016 March, 2016 February,2016
Rs. 2,500 Rs. 5,999 Rs. 2,500 Rs. 5,999 Rs. 2,500 Rs. 5,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 4/ 800 x 480 4/ 800 x 480 5/854 x 480 "4.5/854 x 480" 5.0/720 x 1280 5.5/720x1280 4.5/854x480
Operating system Android 5.1 Android4.4 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1
Launch April, 2016 May, 2016 April, 2016 February, 2015 NA March, 2016 May, 2016
Display (inches/res) 5.0/ 854 x 480 5.0/ 854 x 480 4.0,WVGA 4.5, FWVGA 4.0, WVGA 4.5, FWVGA 5.0, FWVGA
Dimension (mm) 143 x 70.6 x 8.8 145 x 72.25 x 8.5 62 x 118.25 x 10.6 136 X 70.8 X 11.0 124 x 64.5 x 9.0 136 X 70.8 X 11.0 10.2 X74.5 X 146
Processor/RAM Quad Core /512MB Quad Core/1GB Single Core/256MB Quad Core/512MB 1.2 Quad Core/1GB 1.2 Quad Core/1GB 1.3 Quad Core/1GB
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 4.4 Android 4.4 Android 5.0 Android 5.0 Android 5.0
RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.5/720 x 1280 5.5/ 720 x 1280 4.5/480 x 854 5.0/720 x 1280 5.5/720x1280 5.5/1080x1920 5.5/1920x1080
Dimension (mm) 152.5 x 77.2 x 3.9 156 x 77.5 x 10.55 136.5 x 67 x 10.9 140.8 x 70.4 x 8.9 153x77x8 151.9 x 77 x 9.3 NA
Processor/RAM QS 410/2GB QS 615/ 2GB, 3GB IA Z2520/ 1GB MT6735/3GB Quad core/3GB MT6753/3GB Kirin 620/2GB
Operating system Android 5.0 Android 6.0 Android 4.4 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0
Launch August, 2015 May, 2016 January, 2015 January, 2016 August, 2016 May, 2016 October, 2016
Price Rs. 8,999 9,999/ 12,999 6,299 6,999 6,999 8,999 9,999
Display (inches/res) 4.8/720 x 1280 5.5/720 x 1280 5.0-inch, 720 x 1280 5.0/540 x 960 5.0/720 x 1280 5.5/720x1280 5.5/1080x1920
Dimension (mm) 143.1 x 71.8 x 9.7 152.9 x 77.2 x 8.65 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 - 151 x 71.5 x 10.6 156 x 76.8 x 7.25 153.70 x 76.20 x 6.99
Processor/RAM MT6735P /2GB Quad Core/2GB MT 3735M/2GB octa-core/1GB MT6732/2GB MT 6753/2GB QS 801/ 2GB
Operating system Android 5.1.1 Android 4.4 Android 5.1 Android 4.4 Android 4.4.2 Android 5.1 Android 5.0
Launch February, 2016 October, 2014 - June, 2015 June, 2015 December, 2015 July, 2015
RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5/720x1280 4.5/ 480 x 854 5/ 720 x 1280 5.0-inch/480 x 854 5.0-inch/720 x 1280 5/FWVGA/TN 5.5)
Dimension (mm) 142.5x72.5x8.7 133.5 x 66.5 x 9.4 124 x 64 x 10.3 146.72 x 72.85 x 8.73 143.54 x 71.55 x 8.52 143x72x8.65 138.5x69.5x9.8
Processor/RAM Quad core/3GB MTK6735M/ 1GB MTK6735P/ 1GB Quad Core/1 GB Quad Core/1 GB Quad core/1GB Quad core/1GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 4.4.2 Android 4.4.2 Android 6.0 Android 5.1
Storage/Expandable 16GB/64GB 8GB/ 32GB 16GB/ 32GB 8GB/64GB 8GB/64GB 8GB/32GB 16GB/32GB
Rear/Front Camera 13MP/5MP 5MP/ 2MP 8MP/5MP 8.0MP/3.2MP 8.0MP/3.2MP 5.0MP/2.0MP 8.0MP/2.0MP
2G/3G/4G Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/ Yes/ Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/No Yes/Yes/No Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/No
Launch September, 2016 May, 2016 June, 2016 September, 2016 September, 2015 June, 2016 June, 2016
Display (inches/res) 5.0/1280 x 720 5.0/ 720 x 1280 5.0/ 720 x 1280 5/ 720 x 1280 5.0/720 x 1280 5.0/1080 x 1920 5.5/1080 x 1920
Dimension (mm) 138.5x69.5x9.8 141.6 x 70.8 x 7.6 142 x 70.8 x 7.9 142 x 71 x 7.99 141 x 71.8 x 9.3 142 x 71 x 8.2 152.6 x 76.2 x 8
Processor/RAM Quad core/1GB Quad Core/ 2GB Quad core /3GB QS 415/ 2GB MT6735P /2GB QS616/2GB MT6752 /2GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.0
Rear/Front Camera 8.0MP/2.0MP 13MP/8MP 13MP/5MP 13MP/ 5MP 8MP/5MP 13MP/5MP 13MP/5MP
2G/3G/4G Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/ Yes/ Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes
Launch April, 2016 September, 2015 November, 2015 June, 2016 September, 2015 April, 2016 March, 2015
RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5/ 720 x 1280 5/ 480 x 854 5.5/1080 x 1920 5.5/1080 x 1920 5.0/ 1280 x 720 5/ 720 x 1280 5.0/720 x 1280
Dimension (mm) 144.6 x 72.8 x 8.45 143.6 x 72.5 x 8.95 150.9 x 75.2 x 8.7 153.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 NA NA NA
Storage/Expandable 8GB/ 32GB 8GB/32GB 16GB/128GB 32GB/128GB 8GB/64GB 8GB/ 32GB 16GB/32GB
Rear/Front Camera 8MP/ 5MP 5MP/5MP 13MP/5MP 13MP/5MP 8MP/5MP 13MP/ 5MP 8MP/2MP
2G/3G/4G Yes/ Yes/ Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/ Yes/ Yes Yes/Yes/Yes
Launch June, 2016 January, 2016 June, 2015 May, 2016 June, 2016 June, 2016 May, 2016
Display (inches/res) 5.2/1080 x 1920 5.0/ 1280 x 720 4.8/720 x 1280 5/720x1280 5/1280x720 5.0/540 x 960 5.0/1080x1920
Dimension (mm) NA NA 5.1mm thick 144.4x72x9.9 148.3x71.6x9.55 142.7 x 71.7 x 7.55 139.50 x 69.00 x 7.40
Processor/RAM MT6753/3GB Quad core/ 2GB QS 410 /2GB QS 410/2GB MTK6735P/2GB QS 410/1GB QS 615/2GB
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.0.2 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 4.4.4
Launch November, 2015 June, 2016 2,015 September, 2016 September, 2016 October, 2015 June, 2015
RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.0/720 x 1280 5.0/ 1280 x 720 5.0/ 1280 x 720 5/720x1280 5.5/ 1280x720 5.5/1920x1080 5.0/ 1280 x 720
Dimension (mm) 142.3 x 72.1 x 8.5 142.3 x 72.1 x 8.5 142.4 x 71.1 x 8.0 142.4x71.1x8 NA 152x77x8 144.6 x 71.8 x 8.6
Launch October, 2015 July, 2016 July, 2016 July,2016 July, 2016 July,2016 April, 2016
PARAMETERS XIAOMI YU
Model Redmi 2 Prime Redmi 3S/ 3s Prime Redmi Note Prime Redmi Note 3 Redmi 3s Plus NEW Yunique Yuphoria
Display (inches/res) 4.7/720 x 1280 5/ 1280X720 5.5/720 x 1280 5.5/1080 x 1920 5/1280x720 4.7/720x1280 5.0/720x1280
Dimension (mm) 134.00 x 67.20 x 9.4 139.4 X 69.7 X 8.5 154 x 78.7 x 9.45 150 x 76 x 8.65 139.3x69.6x8.5 134.5 x 67.5 x 8.3 142.4 x 73 x 8.2-9.35
Processor/RAM QS410/2GB QS 430/ 2GB, 3GB QS 410/2GB QS650/2GB,3GB QS 430/2GB QS410 / 1GB Quad core / 2GB
Operating system Android 4.4 Android 6.0 Android 4.4 Android 5.0.2 Android 6.0 Android 5.1. Android 5.1.1
Launch August, 2015 August, 2016 December, 2015 March, 2016 October,2016 September, 2015 May, 2015
Price Rs. 6,999 6,999/ 8,999 7,999 9,999/ 11,999 9,499 6,300 6,499
RS. 6,000 RS. 9,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.5/720x1280 4.5/ 854 x 480 5/ 1280 x 720 5.5/ 1080 x 1920 5.5/1080 x 1920 5.5/1920x1080 5.0/ 1280 x 720
Dimension (mm) NA 133 x 65.7 x 8.5 142X69.5X6.8 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.9 156.5 x 77.2 x 10.8 NA 145.3 x 70.5 x 8.5
Launch August, 2016 - July, 2016 March, 2015 August, 2015 October, 2016 July, 2016
Price Rs. 6,999 7,500 9,999 13,999 14,999/ 16,999 10,999 11,999
Display (inches/res) 5.0/720 x 1280 5.0/ 1280 x 720 5.0/720x1280 5.2/ 1920 x 1080 5.5/ 1080 x 1920 5.5/720x1280 5.5/1080x1920
Dimension (mm) 143 x 69.9 x 8.5 146.9 x 70.9 x 8.3 146.9 x 70.9 x 8.1 147.1 x 73.8 x 8.3 151.3 x 76.3 x 8.15 151.9 x 94.7 x 8.3 151.9 x 74.2 x 7.6
Processor/RAM Quad Core/3GB QS 400/2GB Octa-core/1GB Kirin 650/ 2GB QS 616 /2GB Quad core/3GB "MT H X10/3GB"
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1
Launch December, 2015 February, 2016 April, 2015 June, 2016 January, 2016 January, 2016 January, 2016
RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.5/ 1920 x 1080 5.5/1080x1920 5.0/1080x1920 6.8/1080 x 1920 5.5/ 1080 x 1920 4.93/ 1280x720 5.3/ 1280 x 720
Dimension (mm) 151.1 x 74.2 x 7.7 153.67 X 76.45 X 9.14 143.3 x 70.8 x 7.8 186.6 x 96.6 x 7.6 155.3 x 77.2 x 8.55 142.6 x 71.8 x 7.1 146.6x74.8x8.8
Processor/RAM QS 652/ 3GB MT 6753/3GB MT6752/3GB QS 615 /2GB QS 615/ 2GB QS 410/2GB QS 410/2GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 5.1. Android 5.0 Android 5.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.0
Launch June, 2016 January, 2016 November, 2015 October, 2015 June, 2016 July, 2016 January, 2016
Dimension (mm) 154.4 x 79.2 x 9.4 - - 142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6 153 x 76.6 x 7.9 153X76.6X9.8 140.8 x 72.4 x 9.9
Processor/RAM QS 400 /1GB MT6753/3GB Helio x10/4GB QS 615 /2GB QS 617/2GB QS 617/2GB,3GB QS801 /2GB
Operating system Android 5.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0.1 Android 6.1 Android 4.4.4
Storage/Expandable 16GB/32GB 32GB/128GB Yes/Yes 16GB/32GB 16GB/128GB 16GB, 32GB/128GB 16GB, 32GB/64GB
Launch May, 2015 May, 2016 May, 2016 2,015 May, 2016 May,2016 2,015
Price Rs. 13,869 13,999 13,999 12,499 12,499 13,499/ 14,999 16,999/ 17,999
RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 4.7/720x1280 5.5/ 1920 x 1080 5.5/1280 x 720 5.5/1280 x 720 5.0/1280 x 720 7.0/ 1280 x 800 5.2/1280x720
Dimension (mm) 139 x 67 x 8.10 146.00 x 74.50 x 8.10 77.5x151.8x8.2 151.8 x 77.5 x 8.2 142.1 x 71.8 x 7.9 186.9 x 108.8 x 8.7 145.7 x 72.3 x 8.1
Processor/RAM QS 410/2GB Octa Core/3GB Quad-core/1.5GB Quad core/ 2GB Quad-core/1.5GB Quad core/1.5GB QS 410/2GB
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 6.0
Launch April,2016 July, 2016 October, 2015 July, 2016 June, 2015 July, 2016 May, 2016
Dimension (mm) 152.2 x 78.6 x 7.5 142.8x69.5x8.1 143.80 x 71.70 x 7.52 147.9x72.9x7.5 138.1 x 69.6 x 7.8 173.1x88.3x7.5 155 x 78 x 9
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.0.2 Android 6.0 Android 5.0 Android 6.0 Android 4.4.4
Launch 2,015 September,2016 January, 2016 October,2016 April, 2015 June,2016 July, 2015
Price Rs. 14,250 14,790 10,700 11,980 11,999/ 14,999 14,999 8,999
RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 10,000 RS. 14,999 RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999
MODELS
Dimension (mm) 153.3X75.4X8.5 - 145.9 x 71.4 x 8.5 153.8 x 77.1 x 9 146.1 x 70.6 x 8.65 155.7 x 77.3 x 8.9 164.6 x 84 x 10.6
Operating system Androis 5.1.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 5.0
Rear/Front Camera 13MP/5MP 13MP/8MP 8.0MP/2.0MP 8.0MP/2.0MP 13.2 MP/5.0MP 13MP/8MP 13MP/5MP
Display (inches/res) 5.5/ 1080 x 1920 5.5/ 1440x2560 5.5/ 720 x 1280 5.5/ 720 x 1280 5.5/1920x1080 5.2/1920x1080 5.5/ 720 x 1280
Dimension (mm) 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.9 155.4 x 76.1 x 8.7 152 x 76 x 8.6 151.9 x 74.6 x 6.9 154.5x75.6x8.15 NA 157.9 x 77.8 x 7.8
Launch June, 2015 April,2016 November,2015 November, 2015 August,2016 October,2016 November, 2015
Price Rs. 18,999 19,999 17,500 19,999 17, 999 19,999 15,500
RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999 RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999 RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.5/720 x 1280 5.5/ 1280 x 720 5.5/1920x1080 5.5/1080x1920 5.0/1080 x 1920 5.5/1080x1920 5/1920x1080
Dimension (mm) 157.9 x 77.8 x 7.89 156.9 x 76.9 x 7.4 156.9x76.9x7.7 152.9 x 75.6 x 9.9 142.7 x 70 x 7.6 154 x 76.5 x 9.3 140.2x60x6.2
Processor/RAM MT6753/1.5GB QS 400/2GB QS 400/3GB QS615 /2GB QS 615/3GB QS 808 /3GB QS 820/3GB,4GB
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 6.0
Launch November, 2015 February, 2016 September,2016 October, 2015 June, 2015 December, 2015 September,2016
Display (inches/res) 5.5/1080x1920 5.5/1080 x 1920 5.2/ 1080 x 1920 5/1920x1080 5.5/1280x720 5.5/1280x720 5.5/720 x 1280
Dimension (mm) 154 x 76.6 x 7.25 148 x 75 x 10.9 149 x 72 x 7 141.4x70x8 154 x 76 x 7.38 76 x 151 x 7.8 139.3 x 69.7 x 6.7
Processor/RAM QS 615/3GB QS615 /2GB QS 808/3GB QS/3GB MTK 6750/3GB Exynos 7870/2GB Quad Core/2GB
Operating system Android 5.1.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0 Android5.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1
32GB/ 100GB
Storage/Expandable 32GB/32GB 16GB,32GB/128GB 32GB/200GB 32GB/128GB 16GB/128GB 16GB/64GB
(ONLINE)
Rear/Front Camera 13MP + 2MP/5MP 21MP/5MP 13MP/5MP 16MP/8MP 13MP/16MP 13MP/5MP 13MP/5MP
Launch January, 2016 Sept, 2015 May, 2016 October,2016 August, 2016 May, 2016 December, 2014
Price Rs. 19,499 16,999/ 17,999 19,999 15,990 17,990 15,990 16,500
RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999 RS. 15,000 RS. 19,999 RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.5/1920x1080 5.5/1920x1080 5.0/1280720 5.0/1920 x 1080 5.5/ 1920 x 1080 4.0/640 x 1136 5.2,5.5/(1920x1080)
Dimension (mm) 151.7x76x7.8 151.7x75x8 143.6 x 71 x 7.5 153.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 153.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 146.87 x 73.98 x 7.69
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 iOS 9.2.1 Android 6.0
16GB,32GB,
Storage/Expandable 16GB/128GB 16MP/256GB 32GB/128GB 16 GB/64 GB 16 GB/64 GB 32GB,64GB/2TB
64GB/NO
Rear/Front Camera 13MP/5MP 13MP/8MP 13MP/8MP 13 MP/5.0MP 13 MP/5.0MP 8MP/1.2MP 16MP/8MP
Price Rs. 15,900 18,790 17,980 15,500 17,500 23,000 onwards 21,999/ 27,999
Display (inches/res) 6.8/(1920x1080) 5.5/1920x1080 6.0/1920 x 1080 5.5/1920x1080 5.2/1920x1080 5.2/1080 x 1920 5.5/ 1080 x 1920
Dimension (mm) 186.4 x 93.9 x 6.8 152x75.5x7.6 - 153x75.3x7.6 145.5x71x7.45 143.2 x 71.9 x 8.5 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.99
Processor/RAM QS 652/4GB QS 617/4GB Octa Core/3GB octa-core/4GB Kirin 950/4GB HS Kirin 935/3GB MT H X10/ 3GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.0 Android 6.0
Launch August, 2016 May, 2016 May, 2016 October,2016 October, 2016 July, 2015 May, 2016
RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999 RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999 RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.7/(2560X1440) 5.7/1280X720 5.7/ 1920 x 1080 5.2/ 1080 x 1920 5.7/ 1440 x 2560 5.5/1920x1080 5.5/1080p
Dimension (mm) 156.8 x 77.6 x 7.99 155 x 79.6 x 7.4 155 X 79.6 X 7.4 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06 156.4x76.4x6.99 151.8x74.9x9.85
Processor/RAM QS 820/4GB, 6GB Quad Core /2GB Octa Core/3GB QS 808/2GB QS 808/3GB QS 625/3GB QS 810/3GB&4GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1
Launch June,2016 May,2016 July, 2016 October, 2015 September, 2015 October,2016 July, 2015
Price Rs. 22,999/ 29,999 20,500 24,450 24,490/30,645 26999/ 28,999 24,999 22,999
Display (inches/res) 5.5/1920x1080 5.5/1080 x 1920 5.2/1080 x 1920 5.5/ 1080 x 1920 5.5/1920x1080 5.0/1280 x 720 5.2/ 1080 x 1920
Dimension (mm) 152.7X74.7X7.35 151 x 76.2 x 6.3 144.8 x 71 x 7.3 151.5 x 74.1 x 7.3 158.2x78.2x6.98 143.6 x 66.8 x 7.9 146.3 x 71.9 x 6.9
Processor/RAM QS 820/6GB Octa Core/2GB Octa Core/2GB Octa Core/3GB QS 810/4GB MTK H P10/2GB QS 810 /3GB
Operating system Android 6.1 Android 5.0.2 Android 5.1.1 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.0
Launch June, 2016 February, 2015 April, 2016 December, 2015 July,2016 May, 2016 June, 2015
RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999 RS. 20,000 RS. 29,999 RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 6.0/1080 x 1920 5/ 1080 x 1920 6/1920x1080 5.15/1080 x 1920 5.2/ 1080 x 1920 5.5/1080 x 1920 4.7/750 x 1334
Dimension (mm) 164.2 x 79.6 x 8.2 145 x 72 x 7.6 164x79x8.4 144.5 x 69.2 x 7.25 147.9 x 73.5 x 6.4 153.9x77.1x7.58 138.1 x 67 x 6.9
Operating system Android 5.1 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.0 Android 5.1 iOS 9
Launch August, 2015 September, 2015 July,2016 April, 2016 June, 2015 April, 2016 September,2014
Display (inches/res) 5.5/1080 x 1920 4.0/640 x 1136 4.7/750 x 1334 5.5/1080 x 1920 4.7/1334x750 5.5/1920x1080 5.5/1080 x 1920
Dimension (mm) 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 138.3x67.1x7.1 158.2x77.9x7.3 158.9 x 78.8 x 11.95
Processor/RAM A8,M8/1GB A9,M9/2GB A9,M9/2GB A9,M9/2GB A10 Fusion, M10/2GB A10Fusion, M10/3GB IA Z3590/4GB
Operating system iOS 9 iOS 9.3 iOS 9 iOS 9 iOS 10 iOS 10 Android 5.0
16GB,64GB,128GB/ 16GB,64GB,128GB/
Storage/Expandable 16GB,64GB/No 16GB,64GB/No No
32GB/128GB/256GB 32GB/128GB/256GB 128GB/ 128GB
No
Rear/Front Camera 8MP/1.2MP 12MP/1.2MP 12MP/5MP 12MP/5MP 12MP/7MP 12MP,12MP/7MP 13MP/5MP
Launch September,2014 March, 2016 September,2015 September,2015 October,2016 0ctober,2016 January, 2016
Price Rs. 49,500/57,000 38,000/48,000 48,000/ 58,000/ 67,000 55,000/68,000/77,00 60,000/70,000/80,00 72,000/82,000/92,00 37,999
RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.7/(1920x1080) 5.4/1440 x 2560 5/1920x1080 5.5/2560x1440 5.0/1080 x 1920 5.2/ 2560X1440 5.7/1440 x 2560
Dimension (mm) 156.4x74.4x7.5 147 x 77.2 x 9.4 143.8x69.5x8.5 154.7x75.7x8.5 145.75 x 70.8 x 7.26 145.9 x 71.9x 9.0 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 7.1 Android 7.1 Android 6.0 android 6.0 Android 6.0
Launch September,2016 October, 2015 October,2016 October,2016 December, 2015 May,2016 October, 2015
Price Rs. 49,999 40,000 57,000/66,000 67,000/76,000 31,990 52,460 34,999/ 39,999
Display (inches/res) 5.2/1920x1080 6.33/2560 x 1440 5.5/1440 x 2560 5.3/ 2560x1440 5.4/1440 x 2560 5.5/2560x1440 5.1/ 1440 x 2560
Dimension (mm) 145x70.9x6.95 83.5x167.1x8.95 148.9 x 76.1 x 8.9 149.4x73.9x7.3 149.8 x 78 x 9.2 153.3x75.3x5.19 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8
Processor/RAM Kirin 955/3GB,4GB QS 810 /4GB QS 808 /3GB QS 820/4GB QS 810 /3GB QS 820/4GB Octa core /3GB
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0 Android 5.0.2
Launch August,2016 January, 2016 May, 2015 April,2016 November, 2015 October,2016 March, 2015
Price Rs. 39,999 32,999/ 36,999 34,800 52,990 34,999/ 37,999 39,999 33,900
RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE RS. 30,000 AND ABOVE
MODELS
Display (inches/res) 5.1/ 1440 x 2560 6/1920x1080 5.7/1440 x 2560 5.1/2560 X 1440 5.5/2560 X 1440 5.2/1080 x 1920 5/1920x1080
Dimension (mm) 142.1 x 70.1 x 7 161.7x80.9x7.9 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 69.6x142.4x7.9 72.6 x 150.9 x 7.7 146 x 72 x 7.3 143 x 69 x 7.7
Processor/RAM Octa core /3GB octa-core/4GB Quad core /4GB Exynos 8890/4GB Exynos 8890/4GB QS 810/3GB QS 650/ 3GB
Operating system Android 5.0.2 Android 6.0 Android 5.1.1 Android 6.0 Android 6.0 Android 5.1 Android 6.0
Launch April, 2015 September,2016 August, 2015 March, 2016 March, 2016 November, 2015 July, 2016
Display (inches/res) 5.5/ 2160 x 3840 5.2/1920x1080 7.9/1536 x 2048 7.9/1536 x 2048 9.7/2048x1536 9.7/1536 x 2048 12.9/2732 x 2048
Dimension (mm) 154.4 x 76 x 7.8 146x72x8.1 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 240 x 169.5 x 6.1 240 x 169.5 x 6.1 305.7 x 220.6 x 6.9
Weight (grams) 181 161 331 298.8/304 437 437g/444g 713/ 723
Operating system Android 6.0 Android 6.0 iOS 8 iOS 9 iOS 9 iOS 9.3 iOS 9
Launch November, 2015 October,2016 November, 2015 Spetember, 2015 October, 2014 March, 2016 November, 2015
Price Rs. 47,990 49,990 17,949 onwards 28,500 38,000 49,000 onwards 67000 onwards
Display (inches/res) 8.0/1280 x 800 7.0/- 8 inch/1280 x 800 10.1/1280X800 8.0/ 768 x 1024 9.7/ 1536 x 2048 9.6/800 x 1280
Dimension (mm) 209 x 123 x 8.5 - - 259.2 x 175.4 x 9.2 208.4 x 137.9 x 7.5 237.3 x 169 x 5.6 241.9 x 149.5 x 8.5
Processor/RAM QS MSM8929/2GB IA x3-C3130/1GB Intel Atom /1GB Intel 4 Gen/2GB Quad-core/2GB Octa core/3GB Quad Core/1.5GB
Operating system Android 5.0 Android 4.4 Android 4.4.2 Windows 10 Android 5.0 Android 5.0.2 Android OS
Dual SIM No No No No No No No
Launch July, 2015 September, 2015 January, 2015 2,015 May, 2015 September, 2015 June,2015
Gadget Corner
Asus ZenBook Flip (UX360CA) Premium looks
at a decent price
A premium notebook doesnt have to cost a whole lot
of money, and the Asus Zenbook Flip shows why. The
Zenbook Flip is Asus latest efforts to make a notebook,
a spacious keyboard in a thin-and-light design, resulting
in reasonable key travel. Its not backlit, unfortunately.
The trackpad is not only spacious and accurate, it
slightly edgy, design-wise. It weighs just 1.3kg and immediately responded to Windows 10 gestures. Lifting
measures in at 13.9mm, which means the notebook is the lid reveals the 13.3-inch tilting touchscreen, having
light and fits in easily in your regular backpack. Sounds a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The panel is sharp
perfect for working professionals, right? The Zenbook Flip and bright. The speakers, unfortunately, dont produce
is fairly handsome, crafted out of all-aluminium chassis. rich sound we originally hoped for. We got the base model
And not to forget, the companys concentric metal circle of the Zenbook Flip, and its powered with Intels Core
pattern is also present. our review unit came in soft gold, m3 (6Y30) processor, 4Gb LPDDr3 SDrAm, 512Gb
a colour that may not be distinctive anymore, but yes, SSD storage and integrated Intel HD graphics 515. The
is extremely pleasing to eyes. The Zenbook Flip has all processor of choice, in this case, Intels Core m3, is not
the standard connectivity options including a USb 3.1 meant to run graphics intensive games. on the other hand,
Type-C port. A pair of sturdy hinges allows the screen the Zenbook Flip had very good battery life - it lasted 7
to bend a full 360 degrees so that you can bend the hours and 39 minutes. At rs. 46,990, Asus Zenbook
notebook into multiple modes; we liked the tablet mode Flip is a nice choice, for anyone seeking to get a stylish
in particular. The Zenbook Flip sets the example of adding notebook. n
Price:
Rs. 9,999
Gadget Corner
Skullcandy Grind Wireless: The best
budget Bluetooth headset?
Logitech Create
Backlit Keyboard
Case The
keyboard your
iPad Pro needs
Gadget Corner
Xiaomi Mi VR Play
VR, the Mi Way!
Price: TBA
www.mymobileindia.com
www.mymobileindia.com november 2016 | 137
Gadget Corner ETCETERA
9
19,99
.
ce: Rs
Pri
Motorola Verve
Ones+: A whole
lotta Wireless Verve
Gadget Corner
Jabra Halo Smart Great sound,
great price
Gadget Corner
Mi Air Purifier 2 Not a Mi Too Product
M ention the word Xiaomi to anyone in India and it is a fair chance that
most people will think that you are talking of the Chinese manufacturer
that has taken the phone and wearables market by storm. However, there is more
to Xiaomi than just phones, tablets and wearables, as the release of the mi Air
Purifier 2 in India shows. And just as in the case of phones, Xiaomi seems to be Price: Rs. 9,999
relying on the great performance and specs at a surprisingly low price equation
to strike gold. At rs 9,999, the mi Air Purifier 2 is in a zone of its own in terms
of performance. And it is very easy to set up - you just plug it in and sit back, as
it automatically adjusts to pollution levels. There is a companion app on your
phone that lets you know the status of the level of pollution in the air and how
effectively the purifier is cleaning it. The purifier sends gusts of wind throughout
a room and claims to be able to clean the air in an normal-sized room in about
ten minutes. It not only purifies air, but also removes bad odors, and even notifies
you about when you need to replace the filter - replacing the filter itself is easy:
you just roll it out, and place a new one in. All this in a compact design that will
not look out of place in a living room and consumes as much power as an energy
efficient electricity bulb. Pretty much a must-have for those worried about what
they are breathing in. n
99
Price: Rs. 19,9
Price: Rs 1,39,990