Ex-Apple employee launches two irrestible phones Buzz, Storm

SOS and two-year warranty/insurance are the highlights of the HYVE smartphones.

As for today, users are pretty lost in dense jungle of smartphones out there. While many smartphones offer the user various offers such as high-end specs, budget prices and other services, HYVE is all set to change the game in India. While other brands do offer some great stuff, but are usually limited to only a single segment, HYVE is offering their smartphones with unique, irresistible offerings in all three segments—hardware, features, and after sales service and warranty. Though the brand has come in as a surprise with absolutely no hype or awareness, the company claims that it is set to change the sanity of the mobile phone industry here in India. The co-founder and CEO Sharad Mehrotra is an ex-Apple employee who has a vision to change the landscape of the Indian smartphone industry, with HYVE , his new smartphone startup brand.

Buzz

HYVE , a mobility start-up, successfully launched two Android- based smartphones, namely- Buzz and Storm, each crafted to enhance your everyday mobile experiences. The mobile devices’ features will drive a paradigm shift in the way customers embrace, appreciate and use a smartphone.

Buzz

HYVE has launched two smartphones for the Indian customer—Storm and Buzz. While Storm is a budget entrant at Rs 8,499, the Buzz will cater to the mainstream segment with an affordable price tag of Rs 13,999.

The Buzz features a unique feature-set. Built with a 5.5-inch full HD LCD display with MiraVision, the system is run by a MediaTek MT6753 chipset having a 1.5GHz octa-core processor and a MALI T720 GPU along with 4GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, expandable to a total of 144GB using a micro SD card. What makes the deal better is that HYVE will be bundling a 32GB micro SD card pre-installed in the smartphone. Further on, the device will sport a 13MP/5MP Sony Exmor RSTM sensor with Dual Pixel technology and dual LED flash. The device will be powered by a 2500mAh battery, which seems puny for a smartphone today. But HYVE stresses on the fact that they will be using a complete stock Android operating system based on Marshmallow, which has zero bloatware and optimised to save on battery along with performance delivery to save on battery life. This they refer to as TrueLife battery.

Moving further, the Buzz can use dual 4G SIM cards along with the micro SD card slot separately, and is VoLTE supported. The Buzz will also carry a USB Type-C with fast charging capabilities. The smartphone also sports a biometric fingerprint sensor which has unique capabilities. The device has been equipped with a patented Touch2Call feature allows the user to directly call his/her pre-defined numbers by simply scanning the particular finger registered to the number. So if you want to call your mom, simply scan the registered finger from standby mode and the device will automatically unlock the phone and dial the pre-defined number. No more unlocking, opening the phone app, hunting for the number and dialling. The Buzz will also get a new SOS feature in August 2016. This feature will allow the user to scan his/her particular finger to enable SOS mode. When in trouble, you can simply touch the fingerprint sensor with the particular finger and the phone will automatically lock all features of the phone. The display will go blank, nobody can unlock the phone or make calls from it and the attacker will think that the phone is dead or switched off. But the SOS feature actually starts sending your present location and alert to 5 pre-defined numbers and starts calling them too continuously. Additionally in the background, the device also records all audio so that you can later use the recording as proof in court. The SOS mode can only be disabled by the phone’s user with his/her particular fingerprint.

Buzz

Additional features of the Buzz are — Oleophobic coating on screen, scratch-resistant rubberized back panel, FM radio, NFC, Delayed messaging system, CTS certified and GMS licensed operating system, and IPX4 rated water-resistant body. The device weighs 154g and is 5.3mm at the thinnest point. The Buzz has a unique design, catered to a user’s ergonomics. The power and volume buttons are not placed on the side, but towards the edge on the rear panel. The device also sports a unique curved rear panel with a rubberised finish for a better grip.

Storm On the other hand, the Storm is catered to the budget segment. With almost identical features compared to the bigger brother, the Storm cuts down in a little areas to bring down the price. The Storm features the same MediaTek MT6735 chipset with a lower clocked processor of 1.3GHz. The RAM is lowered to 2GB with 16GB internal storage and expandable up to 80GB total. The Storm uses a 5-inch HD LCD display with MiraVision, 13MP/5MP cameras with Samsung’s 3L8 ISOCELL and PDAF sensors, a 2000mAh battery and standard micro USB connector. Missing elements as compared to the Buzz are IPX4 rating and fingerprint sensor. The Storm features dual SIM 4G support, but with a hybrid SIM tray where the user can either use two SIM cards or one SIM with a micro SD card. The Storm sports a stock Android Marshmallow operating system as usual.

Storm

Both smartphones are equipped with HYVE’s own service and support app called HYVE Care. The device needs to be registered once after purchase and you won’t need any paperwork for warranty issues thereon. Storm

HYVE is offering its users a unique and irresistible service on both their handsets. While most other brands offer a one-year warranty on the handsets only and 6-mont warranty on other accessories such as cable, earphones and charger, HYVE is giving you more. The Buzz carries a 2-year warranty on the handset and accessories along with a complimentary 1-year pre-bundled insurance for damage protection. The Storm on the other hand offers a 1-year warranty and 1-year insurance.

HYVE also promises adequate support for its users and aims for a completely unique after sales support. They will have an IVR-free call centre where users can connect to helpline executives without any delay. For those availing warranty and insurance, HYVE also offers a free pickup and drop service across the entire country (42,000 PIN codes in the country are covered). The device will be picked up, serviced and drop (free) to your doorstep saving your time spent on service centre visits and other costs. The company also promises that the two devices will be serviced with complete spare parts availability since they will have a centrally-located service centre to cut down on service timings and logistics.

The Buzz will retail at Rs 13,999 and the Storm will cost you Rs 8,499. Both the devices will be available online on Amazon, Flipkart and Gadget360 from June 22, 2016. HYVE aims to sell around 1 million handsets within the first year itself and plans to launch more devices ahead. The company also plans to enter other segments such as accessories and alike.