Micromax Canvas A1 Hands-on and Initial Impressions

One of the well known contenders in the initial series of Android One phones, is Micromax. The smartphone from this company is named Canvas A1, and this was supposedly going to be the most selling Android One phones among the three launched, because Micromax has got a better brand value, at least with the companies compared – Spice, Karbonn. The numbers too spoke well, as Amazon.in (the online store where the Canvas A1 was selling) reported out-of-stock on the first day itself. But is the device really that good? Let’s check out the initial impressions.

If you haven’t already, read our Spice Dream Uno review.

Google has executed the plan well, at least with the design and UI. The design and feel of the Micromax Canvas A1 is no different from that of the Spice Dream Uno, as the phone similarly has got the curved sides, a plastic smooth back cover and the dimensions also are quite similar. To take it further in the physical aspect, the placement of buttons and ports is also similar, and one would feel Google has done good justice by giving the same design for both the devices.

On the front, above the display there is the earpiece in the circular grill and beside to it, is the front camera. Above the earpiece, you would notice the sensors. On the back, Micromax’s A1 has a large circular hump that stands out from the remaining back area, with the brushed metal texture and that is where the camera and LED flash are located. At least here, this smartphone looks better than the Spice counterpart.

After trying out the several smartphones from Micromax, this one gives a different feel while even touching on the screen as the response is better than the previous budget devices from the same companies, as those devices failed to give a good touchscreen response. The UI in the Canvas A1 is based on the stock ROM running the latest Android OS, i.e. Android 4.4.4 KitKat, and it is the smooth and simple interface you are presented with.

Just like the thoughts were about the Spice’s Android One phone, there is nothing exceptional in the Micromax Canvas A1 but at the same time, nothing really to complain about. This device too has the extra space wasted below the display, and the front touch buttons are a part of the display.

These Android phones could be called a win-win situation for both, Google and consumer. Google gains from it because of the OS and its own apps, and those apps are the ones that the user would mostly use (Gmail, Google Maps, Youtube to be precise) and even if that wouldn’t have come pre-installed, the user would have downloaded them from the Play Store. The extra apps in this device are the Amazon store app, AskMe, Hike and M! Live apps.

But as was the case with the Dream Uno, I wasn’t able to capture pictures right away, because the camera app prompted to insert an MicroSD card.

For the initial impressions, no different thoughts from what I had about the Spice Dream Uno. The design is pretty neat and comfortable to hold, and the Android OS is clean and clutter-free. But did Micromax do anything from its own side to claim a tag of “better one” among the three Android One devices? we will find out in the coming days.