Android One program is finally a reality and all thanks to google for making this possible. Canvas A1 is one of the three android one phones launched in india and it comes from micromax. Canvas A1 has the same specs like other android one phones but yes it does offer some things extra which make is better choice for many people out there. In this review we tell you whether this device is worth the money you spend on it. 
Canvas A1 Full In Depth Review + Unboxing [Video]
Canvas A1 Quick Specs
- Display Size: 4.5 inch IPS LCD capacitive touch screen with 480 x 854 resolution
- Processor: 1.3 GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6582
- RAM: 1 Gb
- Software Version: Android 4.4.4 (Kit Kat) OS
- Camera: 5 MP AF camera
- Secondary Camera: 2 MP front-facing camera FF [Fixed Focus]
- Internal Storage: 4 GB with 2.27 Gb available to the user
- External Storage: Expandable up to 32GB
- Battery: 1700 mAh battery Lithium Ion
- Connectivity: 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, aGPS, 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- Others: OTG Support – No, Dual SIM – Yes, LED Indicator – Yes
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity and magnetic field sensor
Box Contents
Inside the box you get a handset, battery, MicroUSB to USB cable, USB Charger ( output current 1 AMP), Standard Headphones with mic to take calls, One Screen protector, Service Center list etc.
Quick Buy Now Android One Phones
Micromax Canvas A1 – http://goo.gl/0pqAqh
Karbonn Sparkle V – http://goo.gl/7tpPn3
Spice Dream Uno – http://goo.gl/R58DUP
Build Quality, Design and Form Factor
Canvas A1 feels good in hands and build quality is decent if not great. In terms of design and looks Canvas A1 looks the best out of all the android ones phones, however Dream Uno comes very close in looks and design compared with Canvas A1 but still Canvas A1 looks slightly better. It has got a rubber finish back cover which has rounded edges and all this makes it really easy and confortable for the user to hold this device and carry it on one hand. In terms of weight it does not feel heavy but thickness wise it is not thinner by any standard but not too thick as well as light weight compensate for this slightly thick phone. Its fairly easy to hold in one hand being a 4.5 inch phone and one handed usage is good with good enough not too big display size of the phone. 
Camera Performance
The rear 5 MP camera can take decent long shots and good macro shots in day light and low light performance is slightly average. The rear camera can also record can record 1080p video and 720p video but at less then 30 fps. The front 2MP camera can also record HD videos at 720p but again less then 30 fps, the front camera selfie photos were not too great but good enough you get at this price point. Camera Samples 
Canvas A1 Camera Video Sample Rear [Video]
Canvas A1 Camera Video Sample Front [Video]
Display, Memory and Battery Backup
It has got 4.5 IPS display which has good viewing angles and color reproduction of the display is decent and sunlight visibility is not great but you can see it in day light most of the times. In built memory is 4 GB out of which user available is around 2.27 Gb but you will need microSD memory card to install some heavy games and Canvas A1 comes with 8Gb card as initial limited offer on amazon.in from where you can buy the same. SD card does help to solve limited storage problem on this phone as you cannot install apps on the SD card directly but you can move apps and app data from phone memory to SD card. It has 1700 mAh battery which does give you around one day of backup with basic or moderate usage which does not include heavy gaming and video playback for longer time. If you watch videos and play games for longer than 30 minutes than you will not get one day of backup from this device. On continuous usage you can get around 3-4 hours of backup if you are watching a video or playing a game.
Software, Benchmarks and Gaming
User Interface is the most smoother experience, as it runs stock android with almost no bloat ware apps which we normally see on almost all the micromax phones. Another good thing about android one phone is that you get latest version of android and google has also promised future android L update on all the android one phone and more software updates upto 2 years. Gaming performance of the phone is good for the price. It can play HD games as well provided you install them with some app or game data residing on the SD card. We played games like Front line commando d day, blood and glory and Temple Run Oz all these games ran fine but I can notice some graphic lag at times and few frame drops as well. Benchmark Scores
- Antutu Benchmark: 18,146
- Nenamark2: 62.3 fps
- Multi Touch: 10 point
Canvas A1 Gaming Review [Video]
Sound, Video and Navigation
In terms of loudness the loudspeaker is fairly loud but it gets blocked or sound gets muffled when you place the device flat on its back on a table while watching a video, but viewing angles are decent to look at the screen from different angles. You can play HD video at 720p and 1080p as well, but you might need third party MX Player to play some 1080p videos. GPS navigations works on this phone, you also have all the sensor required for precise GPS navigation. It can lock GPS coordinates in outdoors and indoors depending on signal strength it might take few more minutes.
Canvas A1 Photo Gallery
What We Liked
- Smooth User Interface
- Latest Android Updates
What We Did Not Liked
- Average Battery Life
Conclusion and Price
Micromax Canvas A1 is available to the bought from Amazon.in for approx. Rs. 6399 initially but later on it will be available in retail stores as well. In case you want a pure android experience without any extra apps then this is the right phone for you, but don’t expect great camera pictures and powerful gaming performance from this phone, but in day to day usage app scenario canvas A1 and other android one phones does a decent job.
