It seems Asus isn’t the only one making devices that are neither tablets nor phablets. The Indian maker and it’s partner Champion Computers are making it even tougher to call this device a phablet. The 6.5-inch device says tablet all over, I mean that literally.
Nevertheless, let’s stick with what the company is saying though. I’ll call this one a phablet. It’s a 6.5-inch device with 3G SIM support along with a 5 mega pixel rear camera and 2 mega pixel front camera. It runs the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS and is powered by a 3,500 mAh battery.
For a device priced at around a measly Rs. 7,000, the specifications aren’t bad. The device has a white slim plastic body that doesn’t feel very sturdy. But then, neither do most other devices in this segment.
The DM6513 phablet is in a way a quintessential budget device. It is not something that everyone would use. I see this device being aimed at two types of users. First, the rural population, and second, someone in need of a cheap device that can double up as a tablet and offers something on the looks front too.
It’s not the most powerful device. You won’t be using this for playing high graphic games and it doesn’t handle multi tasking all that well. But like other budget devices, you have to consider the low price tag. Only someone willing to sacrifice on features for the price will buy this device.
You will notice that I’m not writing much about the processor etc. on this device. That’s because they don’t matter. Like the SM3513 smartphone from the same makers, this device also has its flaws. It doesn’t inspire trust when you’re holding it, the screen is a behemoth only because of its size and multi tasking doesn’t exactly give you the smoothest experience.
But that’s just it. In my opinion, BSNL and Champion aren’t going for those things either. Frankly, with the Rs. 7,000 price tag, they can’t compete with the Asus Fonepad 7 and they’re not trying to. This device is for first time smartphone buyers, many of whom will be sold just on the screen size.
Is that a big enough market? In India, that includes almost the entire rural population. So yes. But this isn’t a device that will compete with the likes of Samsung, Sony and LG, even in the rural market.
Like the SM3513 smartphone, it’s a start for BSNL and Champion Computers. The device can easily be argued to be a tabled with calling capabilities. I hope next iterations will be better. For now, full marks to BSNL and Champion Computers for the effort.
UNDERTECHER 