Operating mobile phones without touching them, using only hand and arm gestures: it sounds futuristic, but it?s already possible. Domestic handset maker Micromax is seeking to create a new benchmark in enriching user experience in the smartphone category with its A85 Superfone. Powered by a 1.0 GHz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and Android 2.2 Froyo (upgradable to Ginger Bread), the device lets users work on various applications at the same time, like browse the internet, check mail, blog, share photographs and update their status on social networking sites at a lighting fast speed.
The uniqueness of the phone is gesture control. A85 Superfone features the amazing capability to understand and respond to hand gestures, allowing to command over answering/ rejecting, scrolling contacts, music player, calendar and email. Any movement registered before the front camera can be translated into a response as a substitute for touch-based gestures.
Our experience of the gesture control was not mind-boggling though. It appears to be much more a gimmick rather than an actually usable feature because of its quality. The gestures had to be repeated a number of times before the phone actually recorded them to do something worthwhile. The user is bound to get frustrated by this very fact and switch back to the normal more dependable touch interface. A feature which would have been the USP is now a con because of quality.
The phone is powered by 512 MB RAM and 8 GB internal storage. One can insert a micro SD card and increase the storage by a maximum 32 GB. The phone has a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display with a screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. The display was bright and clear even on a cloudy day. It has 5 MP primary rear camera and a 0.3 MP secondary front camera for video calling. The phone misses a flash which could be a problem for shooting in low light conditions. It records videos at 720p but in compressed 3GP format, resulting in a not so impressive quality.
However, the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system is a downer as most phones these days work on the 2.3.x Gingerbread version awaiting 4.0 ICS update. The phone supports GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There is also support for stereo FM radio on the phone. The sound on the phone was decent throughout.
A85 Superfone comes loaded with hardware capability and keeping its price at R15,249 in mind, the specifications are indeed impressive. The phone was earlier launched for R18,990 and a price cut of R3,700 may be directed towards gaining consumer interest in the device.
The phone is draped in matt finish black metal which is sturdy and impressive. It is charged through the micro USB port on top of the phone which is protected through a flimsy rubber covering. This covering requires to be moved for the port to be exposed for charging and is a candidate of being jacked off the phone in due course of usage. The phone is powered by a 1500 mAh battery which is decent enough. The phone is pretty handy and weighs 128 gm, which is just about an average weight.
Overall, the phone is indeed economical but its features are mediocre. The dual core processor fares well but the below average gesture control and the older version of Android OS, do not make for a USP.
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