While Gionee’s Elife E3 (Quick Review) has been trending in the country for more than 6 months, the Micromax Canvas Magnus (Quick Review) is a relatively new campaigner. While the E3 comes from a Chinese manufacturer, the Magnus comes from our very own and desi Micromax. Both devices can be bought for something around 14k INR.
Coming to the point, which one should you go for? Read on to know what we think on this.
Hardware
| Model | Gionee Elife E3 | Micromax Canvas Magnus |
| Display | 4.7 inches, 1280 x 720p | 5 inches, 1280 x 720p |
| Processor | 1.2GHz quad core | 1.5GHz quad core |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB | 4GB |
| OS | Android v4.2 | Android v4.2 |
| Cameras | 8MP/2MP | 12MP/2MP |
| Battery | 1800mAh | 2000mAh |
| Price | About 14,000 INR | About 13,800 INR |
Display
Both phones offer the same resolution, i.e., 1280 x 720p which is also classified as ‘HD’. However, the E3 has a better pixel density thanks to the smaller screen – it comes with a 4.7 inch panel as opposed to the tried-and-tested 5 inch one on the Micromax Canvas Magnus. Regarding the size, I personally would prefer a 4.7 incher over 5 inches, but I’m sure most readers would choose to go for the 5 inch screen. With not a lot of a difference in the pixel densities, it would be safe to say that the Magnus would be the right (and more popular of course) choice between the two.
Camera and Storage
The Canvas Magnus again takes lead over the E3 with its combo of a 12MP rear and a 2MP front shooter. This, in comparison to E3’s 8MP plus 2MP combo. Although there might not be a whole lot of difference in the overall picture quality, the general choice would be to go with the camera with greater megapixel count – the Canvas Magnus in this case. 2MP front shooters on both these devices should perform very similar, so there’s nothing to talk about there.
E3 does quite a bit better on the storage front. The phone comes with an impressive 16GB on-board ROM which blows out the 4GB competition provided by the Canvas Magnus. Again, it would be your choice to either go for a better processor (Magnus) or greater storage (E3).
Processor and Battery
Here’s where the Magnus puts the final nail in the coffin – it comes with a much better 1.5 GHz quad core MT6589T in comparison to a 1.2 GHz quad core MT6589 of the E3. It might not seem like a huge difference, but ask anyone who’s used devices with both and you’ll know. The Canvas Magnus should be the obvious choice when talking processing power and pure grunt. No difference in system memory though; both offer the same 1GB RAM.
Recommended: MT6589M VS MT6589 VS MT6589T Performance Comparison
The Canvas Magnus does come with a larger capacity removable battery as well. Speaking numbers, it features a 2000mAh unit in comparison to E3’s 1800mAh. Although there’s a significant difference in battery capacities, there will not be much of a difference in real life usage thanks to the larger screen of the Canvas Magnus which will nullify the effect of a larger battery.
Conclusion
We’ve made it quite obvious, I think. The Micromax Canvas Magnus sells for cheaper, has a bigger screen, higher res. camera and a better processor. On the other hand, the only benefit you have on the Gionee Elife E3 over the Canvas Magnus is the greater storage. Frankly, we think that going for a more powerful processor over greater storage makes much more sense. You should go for the Micromax Canvas Magnus.
