Atfirst I give a jist of them here -
Display: 5" large display at 480x800; 16Million colors;
Hardware: 1GHZ qualcom Snapdragon S4 processor, 768MB Ram, 4GB Internal but expandable to 32MB, 2000MAh battery
Camera: 5MP rear LED flash and 2MP front camera. lots of camera features
Software: Nokia X 1.1 OS;
Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE 236Kbps, Wifi upto 8 devices; MicroUSB, 3G, Email;Nokia browser, Opera
Some APPS I installed, Used: HERE maps, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Skype, Email, Gmail/Yahoomail/Outlook, ContactTransfer(useful to transfer contacts from other mobiles/SIMs), PDFReader, MS One Note, One Drive, BookMyshow, Flipkart etc
Games worked well: Templerun2, Dangerdash, Dragonmania, Plans Vs zambies, GreenFarm3, WonderZoo, Bejewled2, RealFootball2014, Chess, etc
My requirements - larger good display phone with comfortable keypad that I can use easily in SM sites. Iam not a big time gamer nor a appPhobic.
I have gone thru many models/reviews and in the process got lots of info to filter. Iam sure not to buy a Galaxy as my cousin struggled with GalaxyGrandQ with frequent "out of coverage area" after just 6mnth use, while I had terrible experience with GalaxyStar. Micromax, Xolo, Lava, Intex. etc are out of my sight as I avoid Chinese makes.
After much thought, I zeroed on XL phablet but 190 gms weight scared me as most of phones are in 120-130gm range. But except that, I liked all other features. I also liked Lumia 1320(19k) while Lumia 620 not yet on the shelfs. I took chance to buy XL at 10500/- and here Iam share my exp after using it for 3mnths.
Large display, Video streaming upto 720p effortless, but upwards with effort:-) Audio very good but the flaw lies in the speaker position. Nokia seems happy to repeat the flaw with no solution in sight? Headset provided is just waste, you shall buy good one to realise Audio clarity/bass.
5MP camera awsome with features ranging from panorama to different shades of pic editing. Video is also good at lower resolution. Feedback on 2MP front camera on 3G calls, Selfies also very encouraging. Remember, 5MP in Nokia stands upto 10MP in other phones:-)
I face peculiar prob. mp4 file copied from my lappy thru bluetooth, shows no title while playing in Nokia VideoPlayer. Not a major issue but wish to notify here.
XL runs on Nokia X OS which is best of both Windows and Android world. FastLane, glance screen help to choose/interact much easier n faster. Look and feel that of Lumia but underlying Android core best derived to run it fast, frugal on battery use. It is this reason that runs 5" screen phone with browsing, apps, calls, SMS, Social Media all day long. In comparision, Android phones pale off.
XL not running Whatsapp? But Nokia Store has Whatsapp which I downloaded and running it without any prob. As a security measure Nokia doesnt allow installation of Apps other than from Nokia Store, but a workaround in place, Goto Settings -> Security-> check'allow other apps to install'
I could download/play the games I listed above and the experience is visual treat large 5" display and color detailing stands out, awsome faster moving frames in Temple run2, DangerDash.
Internet experience has been stable, downloads quicker. Atfirst, I used MobileData(costly) later shifted to Wifi. Public WiFi for normal http browsing is smooth even at'poor' connection speeds and hooks faster.
Nokia browser worked well in Asha 500 series as it compress the data and hence reduces MobileData costs. But in XL I havent observed compression and so bangs on Mobile data costs same as Opera. Idea 3G wifi has been real faster though I used Airtel 500MB data offer available on this phone.
Used bluetooth manytimes fr transferring files onto and fro Laptop to XL. Download'Filemanager' App from Nokia Stores.
Iam surprised with 768MB Ram XL runs smoothly without nagging while 2GB needed to run on Android Kitkat:) bear heat. I just hope MS doesnt close down X series, inorder to promote its Lumia phones!
I also wish to add, OS version upgrade to 1.2.1 available which ironed out smaller issues in previous version. Now we can move across open Apps effortlessly with tap of'swivel' icon from top tray.
Suggested: Yes for large 5" display, good video streaming, browsing, Social media, reasonable gaming, frugal battery, Text2Speech. Best smartphone under 10K. You wont regret!
PS: This is my first review, your feedback welcome.
