Micromax is launching two new smartphones running on the Windows Phone 8.1 OS, making it the first Indian smartphone provider to launch a device that uses the Microsoft platform.
The devices are available from next month.
The Canvas Win W121 and the Canvas Win W092 – respectively priced at R9500 ($158) and R6500 ($108) – are being pitched at professionals as well as the youth demographic, with an emphasis on lifestyle apps focused on areas such as fitness and music.
While the devices are an attempt by Microsoft to drum up mass market appeal, the devices are lacking features found on Nokia Lumia smartphones, which are widely available for a similar price. They also face competition from Spice and Intex, who are bringing low-cost Mozilla Firefox OS devices to India.
The Canvas Win W121 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor with 1.2 GHz quad core CPU, 5-inch HD IPS display, 2000 mAh battery, 8MP rear camera with flash, 2MP front camera, dual-SIM, 1GB RAM, 8GB ROM, up to 32GB expandable memory, Proximity Sensor, Gravity Sensor, Light Sensor and Accelerometer.
The W092 features the same processor with a slightly pared down features list and a smaller display.
