Micromax launches 5-inch, quad-core Canvas 4 priced at Rs 17,999

It is finally here. The much-awaited Micromax Canvas 4 has been launched today at an event in New Delhi. The latest flagship from Micromax has been priced at Rs 17,999. This is significantly lower than what was expected. The phone has seen a lot of buzz thanks to a high volume TV campaign that has been running since June 19. The "blink-and-you'll-miss it" TV ad showed precious little about the phone, except an aluminium frame and what looked like a plastic body. Turns out that like the iPhone 4, the aluminium casing houses the antenna.

The 5-inch Canvas 4, which you can, emm, blow to unlock, is powered by a quad-core processor. The True HD IPS display is not full-HD, but a disappointing 720p.

The dual-SIM phone comes with a 13MP rear camera that has a 5 lens array. It also has optical image stabilisation, HDR,  effects and filters, and does 1080p videos. The phone also has a 5MP front-facing camera. Micromax has said that the phone will also get OTA updates.
Like the latest phones by Samsung in the Galaxy series, the Canvas 4 has a bunch of features, such as burst mode for the camera that shoots 99 pictures in 15 seconds, video pinning, simultaneous video playback, look away to pause video and other gesture controls.
Here's a quick look at the official specs of the Micromax Canvas 4:

• Display & Resolution: 5-inch True IPS HD display with 720p resolution at 293ppi
• Processor: 1.2Ghz quad-core MT6589 Mediatek processor
• Camera: 13MP camera at the back and 5MP front-facing shooter
• OS: Android 4.2.1
• Memory: 1GB RAM
• Storage: 16GB internal memory, expandable to 32GBvia microSD card
• Battery: 2000 mAh

Micromax does not operate in a bubble. It has a keen eye on the competition and the thought of Micromax not going after Samsung’s kingpin, the Galaxy S4, does not sit well with us. Already the teasers and first images reveal a phone with a very similar design to the S4. Secondly, Micromax is the closest Indian rival to Samsung, so naturally, the Canvas 4 will be going head-to-head against the S4. And a lower resolution display sounds like weak weapons to take into that fight. Forget Samsung, even Micromax’s Indian rivals are prepping 1080p display-toting smartphones. Karbonn S6 Titanium, being one example.

These are strong motivators for Micromax and it would be folly to ignore them, if at all the company has. We wouldn't be surprised if the rumour of a 720p display has been floated around just to create a false negative buzz. After all, who doesn't love a pleasant surprise?