Indian smartphone maker Micromax and BSNL partnered to launch the Micromax Bharat 1 as an affordable 4G feature phone. What is unique about this device is that it is somewhere between a feature phone and a smartphone, and comes at an affordable price.
The Micromax Bharat 1 looks and functions like a feature phone but runs on Android. The device comes preloaded with WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube apps. We got our hands on the Micromax Bharat 1 and here is our review of ‘Desh ka 4Gfone’.
Micromax Bharat 1 Specifications
| Key Specifications | Micromax Bharat 1 |
| Display | 2.4-inch TFT-LCD |
| Screen Resolution | QVGA 320 x 240p |
| Operating System | Android |
| Processor | Dual Core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 |
| GPU | Adreno 304 |
| RAM | 512MB |
| Internal Storage | 4GB |
| Expandable Storage | Yes, up to 128GB |
| Primary Camera | 2MP |
| Secondary Camera | 0.3MP |
| Video Recording | Yes |
| Battery | 2,000 mAh Li-Po removable battery |
| 4G VoLTE | Yes |
| Sim Card Type | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions | 134 x 56.4 x 13.8 mm |
| Weight | 58 grams |
| Price | Rs. 2,200 |
Physical Overview
Looking at the build quality, the Micromax Bharat 1 looks durable and sturdy. It is made out of plastic but the phone feels well-built and good to hold. That said, it does not compete with older feature phones like the Nokia 1100 which had a much more solid feel to it.
The front of the phone has the display and a T9 keyboard. You will also find a VGA camera sitting above the display and the ‘Micromax’ branding below it.
Coming to the back, you get a removable plastic back cover with ‘Micromax’ branding at the lower end. The camera sits at the upper-center of the phone.
You get the 3.5mm earphone jack and a Micro USB port at the bottom of the phone. The Micromax Bharat 1 features a torch at the top. The SIM card slots and the microSD card slot are on the inside of the phone.
Display and Input
The Micromax Bharat 1 comes with a 2.4-inch TFT-LCD display with QVGA (320 x 240p) resolution. While this is okay for a feature phone, the display is easy to read in direct sunlight. There is glare on the screen but that does not affect the visibility much.
Coming to the input methods now, the phone comes with a T9 keyboard which is responsive and fast. It is a backlit keyboard so you can easily use it. The navigation buttons are also quick but they sometimes skip a command.
Camera
The Micromax Bharat 1 comes with a rear as well as a front-facing camera. The phone sports a 2MP rear camera and a 0.3MP front camera. While the camera quality is average, we appreciate Micromax for giving the basic hardware on the phone. Here are a few camera samples from the phone.
Hardware
For a feature phone, the Micromax Bharat 1 has a reliable hardware. The phone is backed by a Snapdragon dual-core processor, which allows it to run Android. The device is packing 512MB RAM and 4GB internal storage. There is also expandable storage options up to 128GB using a microSD card.
Functionality
When it comes to a feature phone, ease of usage and functionality are two major aspects. The Micromax Bharat 1 comes with a unique UI and you can easily adapt to it. Navigating through the UI is easy and you can also add quick dial shortcuts to the phone.
In terms of functionality, the device is running Android OS and we can say it has some unique features to it. The Micromax Bharat 1 comes with a torch, which is a good thing. Also, the phone offers you GPS and WiFi hotspot capabilities. You can even set the GPS to power saving mode to save battery.
Unique features on Micromax Bharat 1
The Micromax Bharat 1 is an Android-based feature phone which is a good thing. The device comes preloaded with WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube apps. While these apps are not available on other feature phones, you can use them on this device.
The phone comes with a D-pad and an arrow indicator, using which you can navigate through the apps. Because of this, the experience feels like using a bookmarked page in the browser. Anyway, it is good to have the basic Android necessities on a feature phone.
Also, the phone comes with different location modes using which you can save the battery. In the settings menu, you can also adjust the brightness of the display, which is good. There are no games installed on the phone and we did not find a way to install even basic games on the device.
Battery and Connectivity
The phone comes with a 2,000 mAh Li-Po battery. It is a removable battery hence easy to replace in case needed. In our testing, the phone lasted 2 days and still had about 30% battery remaining. For connectivity, the Micromax Bharat 1 has WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, Micro USB port, and a 3.5mm earphone jack.
Verdict
The Micromax Bharat 1 is a feature-loaded phone from Micromax. With good hardware and easy user interface, the device is ideally an advanced feature phone. The build quality of the phone is also good but it could have been sturdier and more premium. We liked the additional features offered by the Micromax Bharat 1 and it is a good feature phone with bundled offers from BSNL.
