Datawind recently launched three low cost, 5-inch Android smartphones going by the PocketSurfer name in India. The series marks the company’s very first step into the handset market. For those of you who don’t remember, the brand made a big splash while breaking into the scene with the Aakash line of tablets.
The phones under the newly unveiled series are named PocketSurfer 5x, PocketSurfer 5C+ and PocketSurfer G5. They are priced at Rs 3,500, Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,500, respectively. If you think each are merely close variations of the other, that’s not exactly true. The 3G5 runs on Android 4.2, the 5C+ gets its kicks from Android 4.0 and the 5x works on Linux.
Starting with the 5x, it features a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor which means it’s a single core one since this not scalable beyond that. There are two SIM slots hidden under the hood along with a battery that offers up to 3 hours of talk time. Compatible with GSM/EDGE networks, it has a 5-inch touchscreen and a front VGA camera too. Keen on a cheap Linux phone? This is probably not a bad bet to make.
The 3G5 can connect with 3G bands, unlike its siblings which only do 2.5G. It has a 5-inch display nailed across its face and a VGA webcam above that. A dual core 1.2GHz Cortex A7 chip, dual SIM slots, Android 4.2 and a 5MP camera are on its specs list too. The 5C+ sports two SIM slots and a 5-inch screen. It has 2MP and VGA lenses, a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor, up to 3 hours talk time and Android 4.0.
The winner is Datawind’s PocketSurfer 3G5 because –
All in all, the PocketSurfer 3G5 is 3G-capable and is helped along by Android Jelly Bean 4.2. It has a 5MP camera, a dual core chipset and delivers more talk time than the other two. The only area where it slightly loses out to the 5C+ and 5x is the price.