InFocus M680 review: Great camera, decent performance for its price

Specs: 5.5-inch full HD display | 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor | 2GB RAM, 16GB storage | 13 MP dual camera with LED flash at the back | 2,600mAh battery | Android 5.1 Lollipop

Price: 10,999
Watch InFocus M680 First Look

InFocus 680

InFocus M680 has a metallic unibody design with a gold finish and silver metal frames on the side. The gold and white unit with us looks stylish given its price. Given that this is a 5.5-inch full HD display, the InFocus M680 is aimed at those who want a bigger smartphone screen. In terms of build quality, the phone’s gold metal paint is prone to scratches and at one point it even started chipping off. This raises some questions about the build quality.

In terms of build quality, the phone’s gold metal paint is prone to scratches and at one point it even started chipping off. This raises some questions about the build quality.

What is good?

InFocus M680 feels fairly light, even though this is an all-metal phablet. However, it is slightly big to fit in one hand and slippery as well. A cover is recommended. The speakers of the M680 are placed at the bottom. We have seen a similar design in other InFocus phones previously.

InFocus M680’s rear camera has a fast auto-focus and the results are impressive, considering the price bracket. (Click on the image to see full resolution)

The 5.5-inch full HD display is sharp and produces vibrant colours. However, under bright sunlight it is a struggle to read on this screen.

InFocus M680’s rear camera has a fast auto-focus and the results are impressive, considering the price bracket. In proper daylight, even inside a mall, the camera captures details very nicely. Given the full HD screen, when you zoom in on some shots, the pictures look very vivid, which a lot of users will appreciate.

Given the full HD screen, when you zoom in on some shots, the pictures look very vivid, which a lot of users will appreciate.

In low-light settings, the camera’s colour reproduction is good, but it can’t filter out the noise entirely. More on that below.

In terms of general performance, Infocus M680’s 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor works well for the phone. It will not give you reasons to complain while switching between multiple Chrome tabs, videos or games .

What’s not good?

In low-light, I had to tap on the auto-focus several times before I could get a decent picture.

The battery of InFocus M680 does not impress. It won’t last even for a full day if you are on a heavy usage. Even if you put the smartphone to moderate use, you will have to charge it at least once a day. This especially didn’t work out for me as I use the phone to do a lot of social networking, surfing the net and listening to music while I am on the go and if the phone runs out of juice then, then it is definitely a reason good enough for me to not buy it.

The 13MP rear camera on InFocus M680 reproduces natural whites but struggles with red (Click on the image to see full resolution)

Given that this is a phablet, which didn’t fit easily into my hands, the other issue I faced was that the onscreen buttons are just way too slippery. I was also afraid that phone would fall out of my hands while using this and in fact I managed to do that.

Also the InFocus M680 has AUO with Tempered Glass for protection, which does not do a good job of protecting the phone. Once I dropped it, the screen had a scratch on the front, so a screen-guard is must for this phone.

Verdict

The InFocus M680 is a decent option in this price bracket considering the fast camera and the fact that this will get Android 6 update for sure. However, InFocus also faces a highly competitive market in India, with better-known options like Lenovo K3 Note or even a slightly higher priced Moto G3 (which is water-resistant). If you don’t mind trying out a new company, then the InFocus 680 is a worthy option.