UMI is making waves in the Indian smartphone market with their newly launched product, the UMI X2. Currently, the top dog is Micromax's entrant, the Canvas HD A116. However, UMI's X2 grows in popularity everyday and it only keeps on growing. Today, we compare the new UMI X2 to the Canvas HD and see if we have a new winner in our hands.
UMI X2
UMI is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer who has just made the plunge into the Indian market. Here's the details on their device:
UMI X2 Specifications
Micromax Canvas HD
The Canvas HD was launched this month by Micromax. However, availability is still a huge issue with the device.
Micromax A116 Canvas HD Specifications
Now let's get down to the showdown!
Showdown: UMI X2 v/s Micromax Canvas HD
Chipset (CPU, GPU & RAM)
Both the X2 and the Canvas HD pack the same Mediatek MT 6589 chipset. This is Mediatek's first quad core chipset powered by ARM's low power Cortex A7 architecture based CPUs. These CPUs are more energy efficiency oriented than performance oriented. However, their per core performance is still not that far off from ARM's Cortex A9 based CPUs.
The GPU for both devices is the PowerVR SGX544 GPU. Now we do not know if it's a single core or dual core, but considering it's a single core, we still have a very capable and powerful GPU at our hands. The PowerVR SGX544 is a capable GPU and hopefully it can drive the 1080p display of the UMI X2 well. Undoubtedly games will run faster on the Canvas HD's 720p display.
The Canvas HD comes with 1 GB of RAM only, whereas the UMI X2 is in line with the latest flagships with 2 GB of RAM.
Camera
While the Canvas HD has a 720p capable 8 MP rear camera with auto focus and LED flash, the X2 packs a 13 MP camera module. We are not fully sure but we believe that it will be 1080p video capable. Here's a camera sample from the UMI X2.
The details look good. Colors have come out really well. The photo does need some more post processing after being clicked by the camera to look more lively. Details are as good as an 8 MP camera (you can't really pass this as a 13 MP camera).
Design & UI
The design of the smartphone (UMI X2) is commendable. Considering the 141 mm height despite a 5 inch display compared to the Canvas HD's 144 mm height, we are delighted to say that UMI has nailed it with a much more compact design. Also, both devices have dedicated capacitive touch buttons at the bottom of the display.
The UI of the X2 is almost default/stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which we love. Micromax has gone in for light customization, including their ugly status bar (which is ugly). Apart from that, it's pretty good considering it's still very much Stock Jelly Bean itself.
Battery & OS
While the Canvas HD packs a 2000 mAh battery, UMI went ahead and packed a huge 2500 mAh battery instead. And understandably because the X2 will suck on more power when active thanks to the higher resolution display that it packs.
Both the Canvas HD and the X2 pack Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS with a promised upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean sometime in April, 2013. Good news for present and future owners I say!
Price
Both the Canvas HD and the X2 are priced at Rs. 14,000 making it a real tough choice between the two devices. It all really boils down to personal choice, as well as trust with a new company.
Conclusion
Now we won't go out of the way to recommend the UMI X2 to you, but honestly it looks far better than any other smartphone right now. For 14k, you get similar features for what would take you at least 35k with an International brand like Sony (Xperia Z, not comparing the two in any way however). Finally, it also depends on the service centers and customer care from UMI's side. Micromax has established itself as a major player in the Indian market, and hence UMI will have to work some with ad campaigns and good customer care to win people's trust (and maintain them as well). If you can move past that, we don't see why you shouldn't buy the amazing new UMI X2 smartphone.
UMI X2
UMI is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer who has just made the plunge into the Indian market. Here's the details on their device:
UMI X2 Specifications
- Mediatek MT6589 chipset
- 1.2 GHz quad core ARM Cortex A7
- PowerVR SGX544 GPU
- 2 GB of RAM
- 5″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS capacitive display
- OGS, Corning Gorilla Glass II
- 13 MP rear camera, auto focus and LED flash
- 1080p video recording
- 2 MP front facing camera
- 32 GB internal storage
- expandable storage via Micro SD card
- 135 x 68 x 8.9mm dimensions
- 155 grams weight
- 2,500 mAh battery
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Micromax Canvas HD
The Canvas HD was launched this month by Micromax. However, availability is still a huge issue with the device.
Micromax A116 Canvas HD Specifications
- MediaTek MT6589 chipset
- 1.2 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex A7
- PowerVR SGX544
- 1 GB RAM
- 5″ HD (1280 x 720 pixels) IPS display
- 8MP rear camera, LED Flash
- VGA front facing camera
- 4 GB of internal storage
- up to 32 GB expandable memory via microSD card
- 2100 mAh battery
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Now let's get down to the showdown!
Showdown: UMI X2 v/s Micromax Canvas HD
Chipset (CPU, GPU & RAM)
Both the X2 and the Canvas HD pack the same Mediatek MT 6589 chipset. This is Mediatek's first quad core chipset powered by ARM's low power Cortex A7 architecture based CPUs. These CPUs are more energy efficiency oriented than performance oriented. However, their per core performance is still not that far off from ARM's Cortex A9 based CPUs.
The GPU for both devices is the PowerVR SGX544 GPU. Now we do not know if it's a single core or dual core, but considering it's a single core, we still have a very capable and powerful GPU at our hands. The PowerVR SGX544 is a capable GPU and hopefully it can drive the 1080p display of the UMI X2 well. Undoubtedly games will run faster on the Canvas HD's 720p display.
The Canvas HD comes with 1 GB of RAM only, whereas the UMI X2 is in line with the latest flagships with 2 GB of RAM.
Camera
While the Canvas HD has a 720p capable 8 MP rear camera with auto focus and LED flash, the X2 packs a 13 MP camera module. We are not fully sure but we believe that it will be 1080p video capable. Here's a camera sample from the UMI X2.
The details look good. Colors have come out really well. The photo does need some more post processing after being clicked by the camera to look more lively. Details are as good as an 8 MP camera (you can't really pass this as a 13 MP camera).
Design & UI
The design of the smartphone (UMI X2) is commendable. Considering the 141 mm height despite a 5 inch display compared to the Canvas HD's 144 mm height, we are delighted to say that UMI has nailed it with a much more compact design. Also, both devices have dedicated capacitive touch buttons at the bottom of the display.
The UI of the X2 is almost default/stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which we love. Micromax has gone in for light customization, including their ugly status bar (which is ugly). Apart from that, it's pretty good considering it's still very much Stock Jelly Bean itself.
Battery & OS
While the Canvas HD packs a 2000 mAh battery, UMI went ahead and packed a huge 2500 mAh battery instead. And understandably because the X2 will suck on more power when active thanks to the higher resolution display that it packs.
Both the Canvas HD and the X2 pack Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS with a promised upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean sometime in April, 2013. Good news for present and future owners I say!
Price
Both the Canvas HD and the X2 are priced at Rs. 14,000 making it a real tough choice between the two devices. It all really boils down to personal choice, as well as trust with a new company.
Conclusion
Now we won't go out of the way to recommend the UMI X2 to you, but honestly it looks far better than any other smartphone right now. For 14k, you get similar features for what would take you at least 35k with an International brand like Sony (Xperia Z, not comparing the two in any way however). Finally, it also depends on the service centers and customer care from UMI's side. Micromax has established itself as a major player in the Indian market, and hence UMI will have to work some with ad campaigns and good customer care to win people's trust (and maintain them as well). If you can move past that, we don't see why you shouldn't buy the amazing new UMI X2 smartphone.
Buying a new phone? Or a tablet? Need help with something everyday-tech related? Ask me and I'm sure to help!
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013