Specifications: 5.43-inch 18:9 display (960 x 480), Spreadtrum quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, microSD (up to 128GB), dual SIM slots, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP front camera with LED flash, 4G with VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, Android 7.0, 3,000mAh battery, 148.7 grams
Pros: Sturdy build quality, 18:9 aspect tall display, good battery life, daylight front camera performance, feature rich software
Cons: Odd power button placement, screen has poor viewing angles, low resolution display, subpar primary camera A 18:9 aspect ratio displays is typically seen as a premium feature but brands are looking to bring this to the budget and entry-level space too. Intex’s latest Infie 33 brings the 18:9 aspect display at a Rs 5k price point for the budget conscious buyer.
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The phone has a 5.43-inch display in an 18:9 aspect ratio. This is amongst the cheapest smartphones with a tall display at the moment. The trouble is, it seems like Intex has cut too many corners, just to get an 18:9 display at this price. The screen’s resolution is 960 x 480 pixels, viewing angles are poor and it has thick bezels on all sides. We liked the vibrant colours and high brightness but the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
In terms of design, the phone feels solid to hold — it has curved edges and a matte finish that offers good grip. Under the removable rear panel are dual SIM slots, a microSD slot and non-removable battery. The camera module protrudes out a fair bit from the back panel which makes it prone to scratches and smudges. Another thing we did not like is the placement of the power button — it is below the volume keys on the left side of the phone. This placement makes using the phone difficult with one hand — most phones have the power button on the right side which is the ideal position to use with a thumb.
Specifications are basic at this price point. You get a quad core Spreadtrum processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. For basic usage (calls, SMS, social media), the phone manages to work smoothly as long as you keep clearing background apps. If you have more than 5-7 apps running in the background the phone will start to protest. We noticed that opting for an alternate light-weight launcher such as Apus and using lite versions of social media apps resulted in better performance. The Infie 33 has a 3,000mAh battery which regularly lasted us a full day of use as expected.
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Software is where Intex has tried to stand out from the crowd. Even though it runs the older Android 7.0, the phone comes with face unlock, app freezer, app clone, anti-theft and an ultra-power saving mode. It also has a privacy mode – when activated, it creates a password-protected private profile with a file manager, camera, gallery, video player and dialer. There are multiple features loaded in the camera interface as well. You get 6-levels of beauty effect, stickers, filters and advanced modes like bokeh, time-lapse, slow mo and beautify video.
As with most entry-level smartphones, keep your expectations in check when it comes to camera performance. It has a 5MP rear camera which has a lot of shutter lag. Other issues include low detail and washed out colours. The front camera is also a 5MP shooter and has a front LED flash for assist. While selfies taken in daylight are above average, in low light you’ll find it hard to ignore the noise.
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At the asking price, the Intex Infie 33 gives you an 18:9 display but with so many shortcomings that it does not feel worth the money. For the same price, it would be better to go for the Intex Indie 5 that offers a better Mediatek processor, 2GB RAM, 8MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, larger 4,000mAh battery but with a standard 5-inch display in 16:9 aspect ratio. Another option to consider is the iVoomi Me 3 which has a 5.2-inch HD display, 2GB RAM, Mediatek 6737, 8MP rear and 8MP front camera.
Speed Up, Customise Your Phone With These Simple Hacks
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Smartphones are complex devices and they continue to evolve with new features like AI and neural engine processors.
This also means that there could be a number of handy tricks in your device that you might not be aware of.
Smartphones are complex devices and they continue to evolve with new features like AI and neural engine processors.
This also means that there could be a number of handy tricks in your device that y..
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For Android phones with Android 7.0 and above, there is hidden settings menu that gives you nuanced control over notifications. To enable this, pull down the notification bar, tap and hold the gear icon on the top right for a few seconds.
When you let go, you will see a message on the bottom saying ‘System UI tuner has been enabled’. Head to settings and scroll to find System UI tuner. Tap on Other > Power notification controls and enable it. Now for each app, you can set different levels of notification alerts instead of just the standard on/off.
For Android phones with Android 7.0 and above, there is hidden settings menu that gives you nuanced control over notifications. To enable this, pull down the notification bar, tap and hold the gear i..
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If you like to go to sleep while listening to music, this feature is a Godsend. The trouble with this is that once you go to sleep, audio continues to play in the background which eats up battery life.
For iPhone users, a simple way out is to use the timer function. Open the Clock app and go to the timer section. Now set the timer to 45 or 60 minutes as per your preference. Tap the box below the time that reads ‘When Timer Ends’ — scroll down to the bottom and select the Stop Playing option. Now, when the timer ends, music playback will automatically stop on your iPhone.
If you like to go to sleep while listening to music, this feature is a Godsend. The trouble with this is that once you go to sleep, audio continues to play in the background which eats up battery lif..
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Both iOS and Android let you select a custom ringtone for a contact. However, iOS users also get the option to set a customized vibration alert for each contact. To access this, open the contact card in your phone book and tap on edit. Tap on Ringtone and in the next menu tap on vibration — you will see a list of preset vibration styles to choose from. If you want to create your own alert, scroll down and you will see the option to ‘Create New Vibration’ to make your own custom vibration pattern.
Both iOS and Android let you select a custom ringtone for a contact. However, iOS users also get the option to set a customized vibration alert for each contact. To access this, open the contact card..
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A lot of game developers are moving to the freemium model for their apps. This means that while you don’t pay for the game upfront, small or full screen ads will pop up every few minutes.
The frequency of ads tends to increase the more your play. A simple way to get rid of the ads is to switch off your data and WiFi when you want to enjoy the game.
Typically, ads are delivered over the Internet and if you switch off 3G/4G and WiFi, you can play uninterrupted. This won’t work if the app/game has the ads pre-loaded.
A lot of game developers are moving to the freemium model for their apps. This means that while you don’t pay for the game upfront, small or full screen ads will pop up every few minutes.
The freque..
