Micromax, the biggest domestic smartphone brand, this time has planned to enter the mid-range smartphone with a new device called Canvas 4. Let us check whether this new piece, which almost similar to its previous predecessor- Micromax Canvas HD A116, is worth the money you spend on it.
Design and styling
The Micromax Canvas 4, a new flagship smartphone with a thickness of only around 8.9 millimeter and weight of 158 grams is an easy to handle device that does not feel heavy with time. The aluminium frame that runs around the edges and performs the function of an antenna for radio and Wi-Fi connection makes it stronger to protect from falls. Its high-grade plastic back that is removable to replace battery and the flat glass front with three capacitive navigation buttons- Home, Options and back that are appeared only when the device is switched on come together to give it a premium look up to a limit. The all colours in which Canvas 4 is available are quite decent, but the blacks could have been better.
Display
Micromax Canvas 4 has a 5 inch screen with 720×1282 pixel dimensions. The IPS LCD capacitive screen display is able to produce a good and acceptable colour reproduction and great angle views. You don’t face difficulty to read text and view images under direct sunlight, even though the display may reflect under bright sunlight. The Corning Gorilla Glass makes the touch screen crystal clear and scratch resistant. In short, the bright display with sunlight legibility of Canvas 4 is better than Canvas HD, its predecessor.
Multimedia Features
Camera
The Micromax Canvas 4 can assure pictures of acceptable quality in all light conditions with a 13 mega pixel rear camera. Even though the pictures have vivid colours ad sharp details when clicked in natural light, the indoor snaps that are taken in low or soft light conditions will only be with acceptable, but not impressive quality. Moreover, you may experience some noise while photos are captured in low light. So, the device should be held at right distance and used tap to focus to focus to take macro photos. The various modes that are offered by the snapper include face beauty, Normal, HDR, smile shot, panorama and multi-angle. Another feature named Burst makes you able to take 99 shots in one go. But the 5 megapixel front camera of Canvas 4 performs its duties which are assigned to it such as HD video chat well.
Camera Image 
Video
The device also assures video quality by supporting 1080 video recording and playback. The vertical panorama feature that is included in Canvas 4 is nothing innovative as it is already present in most smartphones with panorama features. The Canvas 4 uses MP4 format to record full-HD videos and while moving to video playback, you can play the files which are in MP4, MKV and DiVK format. It also possesses MX Player as the default video player in which you can seek the video by swiping horizontally and control volume by swiping vertically on the screen. The other feature that Canvas 4 borrows from GALAXY S4 is the ‘smart pause’ trick with which you can pause the video playback by looking away the screen and can resume by looking back at the screen.
Sound
Even though you get a flat cable in ear headphones and extra ear buds, no one is ready to give a positive comment on the sound quality of Micromax Canvas 4. The built-in speakers fail to produce either loud or quality sound while you hear a song or play some video. This may be because of the wrong placement of loudspeaker with which the sound may get blocked while the device is placed on a flat surface. Moreover, the muffled and fuzzy sound produced by Micromax Canvas 4 makes the feeling that the device has boosted the bass output artificially. But you get a satisfactory sound, if earphones are plugged in. However, Canvas 4 may not be a wise choice for a music lover.
Games
When you come to the area of gaming, you can handle casual titles here like Temple Run 2 and Angry Birds: Star Wars easily. But, for the people, who look for a GPU demanding games that include Real Racing 3, Micromax Canvas 4 is not suitable option.
System
Micromax canvas 4 with a 16 GB internal memory, out of which the user are able to use 10.4 GB for installing games and apps, is also powered by a 1GB RAM to help with multitasking and 1.2 GHz quad-core processor based on the MediaTek MT6589 SOC. FM Radio, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS and 3.5 mm audio jack are the other connectivity features that is provided by Micromax Canvas 4. If you open the removable back of Canvas 4, you can see two SIM slots and a micro SD card slot that is located in between two slim slots and the card slot can support card up to 32 GB.
Operating system
The Micromax Canvas 4, with the operating software Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) has made some changes to the stock UI. Even though there is no custom UI on the top of android and the form of icons are the only element where we can experiment customizations, Canvas 4 has added some new gesture features such as Upside Silent, Upside Speaker, Proximity Call and proximity Answer Call. There are some preinstalled apps in the device such as opera Mini, File Manager, Hike, Foneclay and Spuul. Besides, you can also experience exclusive services of Micromax like M! Live, Game Hub, Music Hub and M! Security.
Battery Life
Micromax canvas 4 has a 2000 mAh battery with a backup of around one day of standard usage and in most of the usage scenario you can see the battery is performing decent enough that it will last around 9 to 10 hours if charged fully.
Advantages
Like any other dual-SIM phone, the Micromax Canvas 4 features a SIM management menu that provides some neat gesture controls. For example, you just need to flip the device simply to put the incoming call on silent. Similarly, you can put the phone on speaker during voice call by keeping it upside down. The call quality and handset’s network reception is pretty good.
Disadvantages
The ‘Blow to unlock’ app, the lock screen feature may cause huge embarrassment in public. Even though it gives a smooth experience to the users, as you can blow on the lock from a distance, it is inconsistent. For example, if you blow lightly or blow in certain spots, it may not work. But, the phone will unlock, if you place it under a fan. The other lock screen option ‘Shake to unlock’ is also annoying as you have to shake it in a certain way to unlock the device. And, even keeping a finger pressed on the lock icon for a few seconds can unlock the device. Most disastrously, you can unlock it instantly by hitting the capacitive home button. In short, the phone is not locked. So, you are better replace the atrocious lock system with anything else available in app store immediately after buying Canvas 4.
Even though Canvas 4, which is available at an MRP of 17, 990 INR, is a little bit expensive, you are recommended this over any other smartphones due to its some peculiarities like higher megapixel camera and user available memory.