I had been using Nokia X6 & Sony Ericsson K750i since quite a while now.
My K750i was worn out and hence I was looking forward to buy a new mobile. As I already have X6 (https://mouthshut.com/review/Nokia-x6-nlnnsstsum) I thought to go with a low end model or for Android Based High End Model.
Considering the fact that Indian Market is opening up to 3G Video Calling, I deferred my idea for High End models (as most of them lack front end camera in mid range).
Why I chose Micromax A60:-
1> Android OS 2.1 (Wanted to have an experience of it)
2> Cost (I got it for 6500 INR with additional 500 INR to replace 2 GB card with 8 GB card)
3> Good reviews of Micromax Mobiles from various users
4> Mobile Testing Team (I belong to an IT Service Industry) suggested me to trust Micromax and encouraged me to go for low cost mobiles as mobile industry is quite dynamic - Never plan for 3-5 years while buying mobiles
5> Processor Speed (600 MHZ - my X6 has 434 MHZ speed)
My personal experience:-
1> Android 2.1 is not for newbies - It took me some time to understand few options by reading forums :)
Right from Message forwarding to Home Screen widget modifications, I took help of Android Forums to understand where exactly are the right options. For a moment I thought Android do not have Message Forwarding option alike Apple OS :) :)
2> A60 do not have customized homescreen for Android OS - which is the case with HTC, Samsung, etc - I can enjoy original OS feel
3> Touch Screen experience is not so great - as expected - After all its a Resistive Touch Screen!!!
4> It has most of the features (atleast as claimed by Micromax) which today’s mobile should have including 3G, Wifi, Bluetooth, Camera (No Secondary Camera for Video Calling), etc
5> Mobile is quite responsive
6> It has physical keys that helps u receive call, lock screen, navigate the screen, press enter, etc - This really comes handy when the touch of mobile do not help!
7> It has 3.5 mm audio jack - today most of the mob are moving towards standard audio jacks & charging point - as a part of standardization
8> Battery lasts for 2 days, as of now - My usage :: Brief calls in a day - No music/camera/wifi/bluetooth/videos/internet
9> Signal reception is good - Would not say BEST - but quite good
10> Swype input is really effective & responsive
11> Accelerometer Senser is doing its job greatly, as of now (Accelerometer Sensor of my X6 is now low on performance)
Other side of coin:-
1> Pics taken from Camera (3.2 MP) is great only during broad sunlight
2> Mobile hangs a lot on receipt of calls - Thanks to the physical keys - It really helps one to receive the call :)
3> It has only 3 alarms that can be set - Disappointing - Being a fully software based product, I expected flexibility - I have around 13 odd alarms in my X6 on recurring basis
4> It restarts on its own, whenever it feels like :P - quite moody in terms of its operation :)
5> Onscreen keypad sucks!!! - This may be due to the fact that I am using X6 with bigger screen and hence I am used to bigger keypad - keypad of A60 is quite small comparatively making it difficult to use ur thumbs to type - At times I really type a key and some other key gets typed - even if I use my nails to press a specific pixel :) - interesting hun... :P
6> There is no proximity sensor and hence the screen do not get locked when you take a call
Anyways, its screen requires hard touch and hence there is no major impact :)
However, on receiving call, its screen gets locked and hence no dialing is possible - not sure how to use call conferencing while receiving call. Reverse is the case while making calls :)
7> No button to come to home screen in between of any navigation - you need to keep on pressing ’Back Button’ till you reach Home Screen
8> Vibration power is a bit on lower side and hence you may miss the calls while travelling
(I do - :))
9> Operate Message Box slowly & calmly - else it would throw an error that the application is not responding and need to be terminated - I personally feel that’s a good feature though - atleast it terminates on its own unlike Nokia X6 which hangs :)
Major blow for me:-
1> Within 1st week of purchase itself, I had to visit Customer Support Team to fix 2 issues:-
a> Mobile would show fully charged and would not charge further, moment u connect the charger when out of battery - Moment you disconnect the charger, battery would start draining and you are out of battery again :)
b> Noise/Humming is too received while receiving a call - its a bonus pack :0 - Quite irritating if you have just purchased a mobile and proudly talking to your frnd - Each time high pitch words/characters are used by them you hear a hum/noise!!!
It was serviced free of cost by the Customer Support Team for both the issues:-
a> Receiver speaker was replaced
b> GOD Knows what was the issue with charging - he was unable to explain me - but was fixed
However my issue still persisted - humming/noise - even at 50% of receiver speaker volume...
On contacting dealer & testing few of the other pieces at his shop, we learnt that all the mobiles (A60) had this irritating humming/noise.
This proved that its a real issue with the product and not an issue with a specific piece :)
I am still working on it - no idea when would it be resolved.
Conclusion:-
-> Overall, a good phone if you consider the brighter side :: Cost & Android OS.
This was my personal opinion - as I really wanted a cell phone with Android to explore it and wanted to try out the brand - Micromax :)
Happy shopping :)
Hope the above review helped you with a fair idea of this mobile & would help you understand it better. Please rate my review :)
Looking forward to ’Very Useful’ ratings :) :) :)
-Rajat Taheem