Micromax Qube: Handset review

Touted as world's only dual SIM phone with a 3D user interface, Qube is one of the innovative mobile handsets Micromax has produced. But the interface is not the only thing that makes the phone so enticing.

In terms of look and feel, the Micromax Qube is a handsome looking phone with a bold appeal. The matte rubberized finish adds a touch of class while making it non slippery. The phone is accented with a thin metallic purple color strip, which runs all over the contour. The main key too looks great and helps jazz up the phone.

It has a vibrant 3.2 inch display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, although the resolution is less as compared to most cellphones but the user interface compensates for that.

Sadly it has a resistive touchscreen, which is not very accurate for finger usage. Users need to use the included stylus for typing as otherwise it is not a very enjoyable experience.

Taking about its much hyped 3D interface, right from the wallpaper to the menus, all are animated and project a 3D image. The menu also features the Cube interface, in which the menu is projected as a cube and to access various functions you can swipe and turn the sides of the cube. This is the function perhaps from which the handset got its name.

Users can also choose a plainer menu if they don't like the cube interface. The interface is great and has many new refreshing features that break the monotony of single page by page menus and non interactive actions. Ultimately the credit goes to Micromax for taking a bold step into the uncharted waters.

In terms of performance, the Qube does fairly well with good call quality and a brilliant earpiece enable you to hear even in noisy conditions. Reception quality is good overall and call just don't drop midway.

Dual SIM reception, depending on the type of network you use, is great. Like most dual SIM phones, this also supports only single SIM active connection and a dual SIM standby. So if you are using the first SIM then if somebody calls on the second, he/she will get a message that you are busy.

For multimedia, the Qube offers a multi format audio and video player with up to 4GB of expandable memory. However according to Micromax, Qube can support up to 16 GB of external memory. But the moment we tried a 16 GB data filled memory card the phone got into a shock and dint respond for a couple of minutes. So 4GB is a safe limit and ensures speedy operation.

At the back, this phone has a two megapixel fixed focus camera, which does a good job in bright light conditions but the absence of a flash is boldly visible in low light shots. For audio connectivity, the phone has a standard 3.5 mm jack and for data connectivity it features a standard mini USB port.

Battery life is one of the saddest parts of this phone. As opposed to company's claim of eight hours of battery life, the phone manages to last only 2-3 hours, which is hugely disappointing. Also the phone lacks proximity sensor to control the display while talking.

To conclude, Micromax Qube is a great feature phone but with saddening disappointments. Even a bigger 1200 mAh battery is not enough for a day's usage for constant callers. And if you are ready to look beyond these drawbacks and carrying a portable charge does not bother you, then you can opt it.

Handset reviews: Micromax Qube Specifications
Network	2G GSM
Operating System	Proprietary
Dimensions	112.5 x 55.9 x 14.1 mm, Weight 85 g
Display	3.2 inch
Input Method	Touchscreen
Processor	NA
Memory	16 GB expandable
Connectivity	Bluetooth, USB
Multimedia	Yes
Camera	2 MP
GPS	NA
Additional features	3D user interface
Battery	1200 mAh
Warranty	1 Yr
Price	Rs. 5000