Phones for all phobias!

Summer smart phone launches aim to meet niche tastes with compelling combos of specs.

Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus, Lenovo PHAB

You don’t need to throw big bucks to buy a functional 4G smart phone these days. The recently launched Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus, is a good example.

The 5 inch full HD phone has dual stereo speakers boosted with Dolby Atmos, in itself a combo of multiple audio technologies like dialogue enhancer, volume leveler and sound virtualiser. Lenovo’s proprietary TheatreMax technology ensures a very good video experience if you use the phone with a matching Virtual Reality headset. It runs on Android 5.1 and is powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon Octacore processor with 2 GB RAM. It comes with a 16 GB internal storage, expandable to 32 GB.

While many high-end phones come with a non-removable battery, the Vibe K5 Plus thankfully features a removable, 2750 mAh cell. This lets us change the battery instead of the entire device, in case of battery issues. The smart phone comes with a standard 13 megapixels rear camera and 5 megapixels front camera. Surprisingly, the front camera picture looked almost as good as the rear camera image. This is a dual SIM device that can easily be operated with one hand unlike some monsters. Priced at Rs 8,499, the Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus is good value — that will seem like great value if you appreciate superior sound and into constant movie watching.

Available on Flipkart.

To have and to hold tight!

Lenovo is jumping into the phablet space on April 21 with its largest device ever: The PHAB has a 6.98 inch full HD screen and Dolby’s ATMOS 3D soundbox. That is as close as one can get to a theatrical audio experience. With 2 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, dual 4G SIMS, a 5 MP front (with panorama mode) and 13 MP rear camera, it is in many ways very similar, spec-wise to the Vibe K5 Plus except that it comes with a jumbo-sized screen. Priced Rs 11,999, the PHAB is an interesting tweak of the PHAB Plus that Lenovo launched six months ago — with a slightly smaller, but better full HD screen. Clearly the phablet is still a work under progress and makers are not quite sure which combo of price and size the buyer will bite!

Oppo F1 Plus

Oppo has gone all out to woo selfie lovers by making the front or selfie camera more powerful than the primary. The Oppo F1 Plus has a massive 14 Megapixels fueling its selfie camera, with a panorama mode to squeeze in as many people into the frame as possible. Flash plus, a special light sensor brightens dark scenes. The main camera is no slouch either with 13 MP and the added benefits of autofocus.

With 4GB RAM and 64 GB of primary storage expandable to 128 GB, the F1Plus is capable of some heavy iron app work something belied by its 145 gram. Sensibly, the dual SIM 4G VoLTE phone can take a combo of micro and nano SIMS and at 5.5 inches. Oppo’s Color 3.0 OS is something that the company has strapped on top of Android 5.1 and you can like or lump it. At Rs 26,990, Oppo is clearly for premium customers asking for satisfactory selfies worth a stiffer asking price.

Creo Mark 1

Bangalore-based start-up, Creo has just unveiled its first indigenously designed and developed smartphone — the Mark 1 — with a unique value proposition: It will be updated every month with new software.

It features a curved metal body with Gorilla Glass 3 protection for front and back. Weighing 190 grams, feels quite comfortable and sturdy to hold. The 5.5 inch screen comes with Quad HD display with 534 ppi.

The 21 megapixels primary camera comes with Sony Exmor IMX230 sensor and Phase Detection Auto Focus. The secondary camera is 8 megapixels. Creo has introduced its proprietary Fuel OS, based on Android Lollipop.

The Mark 1 is powered by a 1.95 GHz Octa Core Helio X10 Processor with 3GB RAM. There’s a 3100 mAh, non removable battery. The internal storage of 32GB is expandable up to 128GB. It has dual SIM slots with 4G connectivity. Priced at Rs 19,999, the device would be soon available at Flipkart and Creo’s official website.

— IndiaTech-Online