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Firstly, you get a pretty much untouched version of Android KitKat 4.4. The only two things that make you realise the phone's heritage is a game (Angry Gorilla) which is a paid app, but the price is in Rs rather than pounds, and a sample video that is Bollywood. Both can be deleted or disabled, so no worries there.
Secondly, this is a very nippy phone for all the things you would typically use a small phone for: web (scrolling was very smooth and the phone was very responsive when I tested the BBC mobile site - see video), general apps (email, quick notes, calendar etc), and of course making phone calls (good volume, no issues with reception). You wouldn't use this phone for intensive games, but for most normal pocket phone use cases, the Karbonn is very good.
Thirdly, nothing seems cut down or non-standard on this phone with respect to software. The operating system and all the normal standard google apps work well. Although you get the Karbonn store app, you also get the Google app store, so you can go straight to Google Play without the phone trying to strong-arm you to the phone manufacturer's store.
Fourth, the phone is thin and light.
Finally, the screen is good: nice and bright.
Onto the bad points...
The biggest issue is probably the system memory. Its 512MB, which is on the low side, and may limit the number of apps you can install. You are fine with storage memory though, as you can add a 32GB sd card, enough to hold a sizable music collection or e-reader library.
The phone does not seem to have GPS (although it does have Bluetooth and the usual phone orientation sensors). May be an issue if you are big on Google Maps or Google Sky.
You get a two pin battery charger rather than a 3 pin British plug. A mitigating factor against this issue is that the phone has a standard micro usb port, so if you have a PC, you can simply charge via usb, A standard Kindle charger will do the trick, as will most other 3-pin phone chargers with micro usb.
Although the camera body front looks nice, it is let down a little by the back - a faux leather look complete with faux stitching at the edges! Staying with the back, the main camera is nothing to write home about: its 5MP and not that good: laggy and a bit grainy. Probably the worst technical feature on the phone is the camera. Additionally, the front does not look like it is the usual tempered glass
The battery is a Karbonn branded battery and you may have much more trouble finding one than one for a Samsung, Nokia, HTC, etc. In fact, Amazon don't sell them, and a cursory web search suggests they are (at least currently) pretty rare in the UK.
Conclusion.
Overall, this is pretty much an ideal buy for anyone looking for an economy, backup phone, or a child's keep-in-touch phone. Its basic, but what it does, it does well. Big issues against include a non-standard battery, mediocre camera, and no GPS. The biggest plus, however, is price, and that negates many of the negatives.





