With the launch of its first two low-cost smartphones ? Intex Cloud FX and Spice Fire One Mi-FX 1 ? Firefox OS has entered the Indian market in a big way. But before the attractive price of about Rs 2,000 draws you in, it?s best to find out how it weighs against the low-cost Androids in the market.

1) No email ID required

Unlike in an Android phone, you don?t need an email ID to operate Firefox OS. In an Android phone, you need to feed in your Gmail account to access most features of the operating system, including Google Play. The Firefox can be operated even if you don?t have any email account. This is in line with the Firefox?s aim to connect the masses to the internet, without any barriers.

2) Easier to use

First-time smartphone users will find it easier to operate the OS as all the icons, including the call, messaging, contacts and Firefox browser, are right there on the home screen. You don?t have to swipe left or right to access the apps, like you do in an Android phone. Even for Google searches, you won?t have to go anywhere. A bar showing ?I?m thinking of?? on the home screen directs the user to Google search.

3) Supports networking apps

Firefox OS supports all major social networking apps, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Quora and Pinterest.

4) Low internal memory

You will need to buy a microSD card, since the internal memory of the device is pretty low. Both handsets support up to 4 GB of external memory. So, if you don?t have a microSD card already, add its price to the cost of the phone.

5) WhatsApp access

?Users can connect to WhatsApp via a third-party app called ConnectA2,?

says James Ho, senior director, Firefox Mobile Devices Group. But we tried to connect WhatsApp using the ConnectA2 app and failed.

6) Popular games and apps

If you like playing games like Angry Birds, Temple Run and Candy Crush, this phone is not meant for you. There are other games, though, including Flappy Birds. The Firefox Marketplace is in a pretty nascent stage now. However, since apps can be easily ported, it may not be too long before the phones get the popular ones on their platform.

7) Uses less mobile data

Firefox OS uses the web compression technique that reduces mobile data consumption. Also, as both the devices are 2G, the data consumption is low when compared to 3G-enabled smartphones. So, you can expect 1 GB of data to last the entire month with average usage.

8) More battery life

Both the Firefox handsets have a greater battery life as compared to other low-cost Android handsets.

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