This week appears to be a busy one for leading indigenous smartphone manufacturer Micromax The vendor created exciting tides across the tech world with the launch of couple of Windows Phone 8.1 offerings. Following the same, the firm has unleashed an Android 4.4 KitKat based smartphone dubbed Micromax Canvas Gold A300. With the launch of this handset, it is sure that the vendor will be entering a tough challenge with the other mid-range smartphones available in the market. One such competitor for the Canvas Gold is the HTC Desire 816 that is available for the same price of Rs 23,999 as the Micromax phone. Let us take a look at the detailed comparison between these two smartphones.
Display and Processor
The Micromax offering is given a 5.5 inch IPS dsplay panel that features FHD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. On the other hand, the Desire 816 is also fitted with a 5.5 inch display, but it packs HD resolution of 1280×720 pixels only.
Of course, both the screens are convenient for tasks such as playing games, watching videos, browsing the net and more. But, the Canvas Gold has double the pixels and it can render good clarity and also the IPS panel will deliver excellent viewing angles and clear content. In comparison, the Super LCD 2 panel on the HTC phone consumers less power and conserves the battery life to some extent.
When it comes to the raw hardware segment, the Micromax phone has the potential to win the hearts of consumers with its 2 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592T processor. In comparison, the Desire 816 incorporates a 1.6 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. While the quad-core processor in the latter is no poor performer, the octa-core processors do have the capability to deliver superior performance. But, HTC claims that this quad-core processor supports fast streaming and quick refresh rates.
Also, the Canvas Gold has a larger 2 GB of RAM capacity that can handle the multi-tasking in a better manner as compared to the 1.5 GB of RAM in its opponent. Moreover, it is a known that increased cores and larger RAM will render smooth performance and an unmatched user experience.
Camera and Internal Storage
The Micromax Canvas Gold features a 16 MP primary snapper that has autofocus and LED flash for better photography and a 5 MP front-facing camera for making video calls and clicking selfies. Though the camera units on the Micromax phone appear impressive on paper, HTC devices are always known for their camera capabilities and the Desire 816 is no stranger. The handset has a 13 MP primary snapper that has autofocus, LED flash, HDR and FHD 1080p video recording functionality. There is also a similar 5 MP front-facer that features HD 720p video recording capabilities.
Handling the storage department is 32 GB of internal storage space in the Micromax phone that cannot be expanded. In comparison, the Desire 816 has 8 GB of storage space that can be expanded externally up to a whopping 128 GB with the help of a micro SD card. Though the internal storage capacity is more in the Micromax Canvas Gold, the support for 128 GB additional storage space in its rival is even more impressive and this is surely a great inclusion for those who prefer to store all their content on the device.
Battery and Features
The battery capacity in the Micromax Canvas Gold is 2,300 mAh, whereas that in the Desire 816 appears to be juicier at 2,600 mAh. Micromax phone with an octa-core processor and FHD display will definitely require a more powerful battery in order to meet the power demands as compared to the one in the HTC offering.
On the software front, both the smartphones are fueled by Android 4.4 KitKat OS. Moreover, the Desire 816 features enhanced camera features such as Video Highlights, dual front speakers with BoomSound and HTC BlinkFeed.
Key Specs
| Model | Micromax Canvas Gold | HTC Desire 816 |
| Display | 5.5 inch, FHD | 5.5 inch, HD |
| Processor | 2 GHz Octa Core | 1.6 GHz Quad Core |
| RAM | 2 GB | 1.5 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB, Non-Expandable | 8 GB, Expandable up to 128 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat | Android 4.4 KitKat |
| Camera | 16 MP/ 5 MP | 13 MP/ 5 MP |
| Battery | 2,300 mAh | 2,600 mAh |
| Price | Rs 23,999 | Rs 23,999 |
Price and Conclusion
Talking on the pricing aspect, both the smartphones are priced similarly at Rs 23,999. But, on analyzing the other capabilities, it appears like the Micromax Canvas Gold A300 with a better display and powerful processor cannot compete with the HTC Desire 816 in terms of camera capabilities. The latter surely has high-end camera features and a good battery that is a major concern for many smartphone users out there. If all you need is a decent device with impressive camera capabilities, we would surely recommend the HTC Desire 816 for you. But, if your choice is on high screen resolution and increased native storage space, you will have to choose the Micromax phone.
