Micromax Canvas-4 : A Preview

It has its own microsite, I think a first for and Indian brand phone. Enough hype was created for everyone, including me, to talk about it. The publicity got it close to the likes of Xperia and Galaxy series. More than 10,000 people prebooked it. Is it really worth at all? At last, the day dawned when we could find out. Micromax finally launched the much awaited Canvas-4. “CAN” life really begin now? Lets find out.

The Canvas-4 Microsite itself is no less a crowd puller. One look and you know they really mean business this time around.

(Picture courtsey GSMARENA.COM)

Metal Rules

And that seems to be the USP they are banking on. The super slim anodized steel body which also “doubles up as an antenna” might keep the iPhone death grip issue at bay. While Samsung still relies on plastic for its flagships to reduce the weight, the likes of iPhone and HTC have adopted metal with impressive results. The canvas-4 isn’t far behind with barely 8.99 mm thickness.

Ready to Blow your Mind

Something neither Samsung nor any other manufacturer concentrating on feature rich phones must of thought about. Blow(a kiss) to unlock!! Bit weird considering one will need to unlock the phone time and again in public. Feels like a feature you would find in a cheap Chinese phone and when I say Chinese phone, I mean what the term meant about 4 years back. A big no no.

Shoot to Thrills

A 13 MP rear camera and 5 MP front camera!! Now that’s something to brag about. And above that a Sony sensor for the rear. But it might be a case of once bitten twice shy in terms of camera for people who currently are using Micromax phones. Proceed with caution. Plain figures can be deceptive.

Going Up

Panaroma from bottom to top is another new. Or may be I don’t know if it already exists.

For your Roving Eyes

Samsung might take a closer look at this one. Is this the SMART Stay?

Peek a Boo!

Wanna preview a video while another is already playing. Canvas-4 is here for you.

Half in Half

Multiple applications running on one screen. Work while you play.

Smile from Ear to Ear

Seems like another Samsung rip off, Direct Dial.

Play Safe

Security for your phone including ability to wipe data remotely. Free for 1 year.

Beauty Lies in the Screen of the Beholder

5” IPS LCD HD display(1280 X 720) with Corning gorilla glass. Also a first for Micromax. But the world is on Corning Gorilla glass 2. The screen resolution is good though.

Deliciously Fast

Android 4.2.1 out of the box with a assurance of updates via firmware over the air(FOTA). Again a first for Micromax.

Live the ‘Endless’ Life

Available in Pristine White and Smokey Gray with free aluminum flip cover with surface touch technology. Whatever it is, needs to be found out.

Other Imp Specs:

Processor                        : 1.2 GHz Quad Core A7 Cortex

RAM                                : 1 GB

Battery                            : 2000mAH

Connector                        : USB 3.0

Memory                            : 16 GB internal (10 GB user available) + 32 GB Expandable

Weight                              : 158 gms

Impressive!!

What doesn’t impress me :

MT658 Chipset while the world is moving on to Exynos and likes

2000 mAH battery which I guess will be lacking the juice

Screen resolution is only 1280 X 720 while others are at full HD

Final Say:

Comparing Canvas HD which goes for around 12000 rs now, they give you a metal body, few gimmicks which people rarely use and a 13 MP camera which could be a game changer or a mere number. So are you ready to shell out those 6000 bucks for Canvas-4? Or will you wait for its price to come down(surely). One things for sure, this device is not the one which tech freaks will look out for but it will create a segment of tech freaks for this price range.

They have got us listening. But will this be a single short story in the boring sunday sermons thus people going back to snoring again? Or is Micromax ready to flood us with quality handsets at affordable prices? Is Micromax coming up with a 4G device as reports suggest? Its in their court now and for them to play.

(P.S. all the paragraph titles are straight out from micromax microsite and are fully owned by Micromax.)