Micromax Unite 3 Review: Cut the language barrier

Priced at Rs 6,999, Micromax Unite 3 comes with a unique swipe feature that allows users to translate text into 10 regional languages and that sets it apart

Generally, people prefer to communicate, share content and information in a language, they are inherently familiar with, and there is no exception to mobile platform, and that is the choice being offered by Micromax Unite 3.

Priced at Rs 6,999, the device comes with a unique swipe feature that allow users to translate or transliterate text in 10 regional languages including Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali and Gujarati. For the past few weeks, I have been using Micromax Unite 3, the translation capabilities have been fairly accurate and simple. This feature is integrated with the default keyboard of the device, user only needs to choose a language and simple swipe does the rest.

In last couple of years, Micromax has strengthened its position in the overall smartphone market in India under the Canvas, Bolt and Unite sub-brands. Unite 3 is an expansion of Unite series, the last one—Unite 2 was launched a year ago. Continuing with the focus of providing almost all the features offered by a high-end mobile phone with comparatively decent price tags, the Unite 3 is a fast, sturdy and reasonably responsive phone, it comes with a pre-loaded apps feature called ‘App Bazaar’, which enables a user to explore and download applications in regional languages.

Unite 3 has polycarbonate body with curved edges, which gives almost a premium feel to it. On the front, it has 4.7 inch display screen and 16.7 M colour depth. Although WVGA display does not match the quality of HD display offered by some of the closet rivals such as Yu Yuphoria and the Xiaomi Redmi 2 but it is rich in colour and sharp in resolution.

The phone entrails are powered by 1.3 GHz Media Tek quad-core processor, coupled with 1 GB RAM. The 8 GB of internal memory for storage, which can be further expanded to 32 GB. With Android 5.0 Lollipop, there is improvement in both the look and feel, animation and effect, and the size of icon.

On the camera front, Unite 3 comes with a 8-megapixel auto focus rear camera whereas the front camera is a 2-megapixel with fixed-focus. Some of the test pictures that I took outdoors, the camera did perform decent but lacks in capturing details while shooting indoor especially when the lighting conditions are not conducive. But, overall, the phone does not let you down as it captures fairly sharp and clear photo, and the HD playback and recording of video could surprise you with its clarity.

On the software front as I said, it runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop out-of-the-box. Micromax has partnered with Firstouch which offers its patented ‘Swipe’ feature. Interestingly, all the essential icons such as Call, Message, Camera and Contact are easily visible as they are big on the home screen.

The phone comes with some interesting tools like Smart Awake that allow access to favourite apps faster. The Unite 3 has an innovative feature called HotKnot, a MediaTeK, near field communication technology, which transmits data through projected capacitive touch panels. So you can simply share images, videos, music and browser URLs by tapping the devices screen-to-screen.

The phone also comes with a preloaded Talkback feature which is helpful for vision-impaired users to interact with, and enjoy, their devices.

Unite 3 supports 3G networks, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth and USB. So you have to rely on 3G connectivity as you live stream videos, movies and download your favourite music. The phone is packed with a removal battery which the company claims to last 8 hours while talking.

While Unite 3 specifications are similar to those of its closest rivals, but the translation feature sets it apart. Broadly, it is a fast, sturdy, reasonably responsive and decent phone. In my week long evaluation, it handled everything smoothly without any lag.

SPECIFICATIONS
* Display: 4.70-inch (480 x 800) IPS display
* Processor: MediaTek MT6582M, 1.3 GHz quad-core
* Operating system: Android 5.0
* Memory & storage: 1 GB RAM + 8 GB internal storage
* Camera: 2 MP fixed-focus (front); 8 MP auto-focus with rear camera
* SIM type: Dual SIM
* Battery: 2000mAh, replaceable
* Estimated street price: Rs 6,999