iBALL ANDi 5C: Power Pack

iBalls new device is packed with interesting features and has the looks to go with it

Its a phone,its a tablet,its both. iBalls new device is packed with interesting features and has the looks to go with it

Technology can be bewildering at times. Few could have imagined a few years back that the humble mobile phone in your hand could transform into a high-end computing device,enabling you to not just make calls and text short messages but also sketch and write notes,make elaborate presentations and browse the Web on a larger-than-phone screen. The success of Samsung Galaxy Note has opened a new category in mobile phone industry. It is a hybrid between a smartphone and a tablet. And its unique combination of connected and creative freedom has encouraged other device makers to experiment with sizes and form factors,giving consumers more and more choice.

Among the homegrown device makers,Mumbai-based promoter of iBall products,Best IT World is fast gaining recognition and visibility in the IT and communications market with its innovative productsmobile phones and tabletsat affordable prices. It is now the first among domestic companies to come up a hybrid device called iBall Andi 5c. In a deft move,the firm has roped in Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor as its brand ambassador to promote its new phone-tablet combo,besides other iBall products. Recently,Best IT World gave us an opportunity to review their new gizmo. Let us find out more about this new-age device.

At a first glance,this hybrid device may seem uncomfortable to hold and awkward to use. But once in your hand,you will be tempted to change your initial impression. Looks wise,it is a stylish and sturdy gizmo with a pretty good build quality. The fit and finish is great and it has a comforting weight to it that feels substantial but not heavy. The front features a large 5-inch WVGA IPS capacitive touch display. The Home button is a physical type,while the Menu and Back buttons are capacitive. Towards the top of the display is the speaker and front facing camera along with the light and proximity sensors.

Closer inspection revealed that the Andi 5c also features a built-in flash and provides various options of multi-shot and panorama capture which lets one capture a wide area of space and combines all frames to make a single picture to surprise all. Theres more,it flaunts a front camera too for 3G video calling.

Once the iBall device is switched on,it gives a highly responsive and optimised touch experience. This gadget works on the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and performs superbly on the powerful 1GHz processor on Cortex A9. There is assured connectivity with support from a majority of dongles. Built-in GPS,3G with HSUPA 5.76 Mbps,HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and a decent battery of 2300 mAh gives you ample time for talking and gaming with every charge. Of course,the phone is technologically loaded with G-sensor,proximity sensor and light sensor.

Apart from the smooth gaming,Web browsing and travel experiences,the Andi 5c offers a dual SIM advantage,and its quad band GSM phone will let you use it the world over. Face unlock,control over network data,a gallery of apps with photo editor,red-eye remover,redefined notification panel and multitasking functions make this phone a decent gadget in the Android space.

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That said,it is not priced as high as many top-of-the-range phones,but only at R15,999 with a best buy price of R12,999. In the past few months,we have reviewed quite a number of iBall smartphones and tablets. The companys products offer a powerful and clear sound experience and this is a fact with Andi 5c too. Sleek,fast and user-friendly were features of iBalls smartphones right from its earliest series but with its new phone-tablet combo,the firm is pushing the experience bar higher.

Form factor aside,I believe that the success of any device is largely dependent on its performance and availability of relevant content and applications. Best IT World is trying to break new ground in the marketplace with its new innovation. Take my word,their latest device is impressive in both specs and performance. Recommended for those looking for a new productive and creative experience in a new form factor!

SPeCS

* Screen size & type: 5 inches,WVGA IPS capacitive touch

* Screen resolution: 480 x 800 pixels

* Operating system: Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

* Processor: 1 GHz Cortex A9 processor

* Storage: 4 GB internal storage; 32 GB external microSD card support

* Camera: 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash

* Connectivity: 3G HSUPA 5.76 Mbps,Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n,Bluetooth with A2DP

* Sensor: G-sensor,Proximity sensor & Light sensor

* Battery: 2300mAh battery

Estimated street price: Rs.15,999