G’FIVE G5 – Inexpensive, short-range portable projector phone Review

VERDICT:

The G5 is a dual SIM short-range portable projector that fails as a basic phone, but delivers on its main USP – as a portable projector. Adding a decent camera and good build quality to its desirable traits, the G5 makes a strong statement. The lack of a good loudspeaker and handsfree headset is the major setback. Priced at Rs. 7,000, the G5 is a good short-range projector substitute, but not good enough to deliver as a phone. If you want an alternate option, then you can look at Spice Popkorn M9000 at Rs. 6000.

Look and feel: Solid build quality, ordinary ergonomics

The G5 brings out a solid feel with due credit to its metal body on the front and lower portion of its rear panel. Its metallic body coupled with the integration of projector device makes it quite a bit heavier than a typical dual SIM phone. However, its rounded edges enhance the grip while holding the phone in your hands. The battery cover is made out of hard plastic and supports a slider mechanism, which is a cool plus compared to the regular pull-out covers that could hurt your fingers. The camera has been shifted a little downwards to accommodate the projector device at the top side of the rear panel. This relocation strategy could affect the usability of the camera particularly while taking overhead snaps.

The bevelled key structure with isolated keypad design enhances usability and ergonomics while typing. On the downside, the weird positioning of the navigation control dial, the option select buttons and the call function buttons below the keypad affects usability to a large extent. This is particularly true if you are accustomed to their normal positioning, which is right below the display. Also, the switching mechanism between caps, small letters and numerics requires you to tap the ‘#’ key every-time, which is really cumbersome and frustrating. In spite of the glaring pitfalls in the ergonomics, we can take home the noticeably responsive interface, which is quite uncommon on the budget phones. The presence of a volume rocker button on its side adds usability. At the same time, the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack is a let-down.

Features: Buggy document viewer, innovative short-range projector

[RELATED_ARTICLE]In addition to the regular social-networking features – Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter, the G5 is preloaded with document reader. The reader app is intended for viewing Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your cellphone. However, the app itself is buggy and failed to open any of the .doc, .xls or ppt documents on the phone, while displaying a weird error message: “System no font”. The G5 comes with an integrated projector device with a focus wheel, which is an innovative feature for the cellphone. The focus wheel can be adjusted to increase the image clarity and focus depending on the projector’s distance from the screen. You can switch between Normal mode and Projector mode to toggle between phone and projector device functions. The phone needs to be held sideways while navigating the menu screen in Projector mode, which is quite unfriendly as you have to literally search for the keys. However, the video playback in projector mode works fine in normal orientation, which is a saving grace.

Read on to know the performance, our take, specifications, ratings and test results on the next page…

Performance: Fails as a basic phone, but delivers as a portable projector

[RELATED_ARTICLE]The G5 fails to deliver as a phone with a mediocre call quality particularly with the loudspeaker. There were instances of a drop in voice clarity when we moved across areas with lower signal reception. The handsfree audibility is very feeble even at its maximum volume level, which is a major setback for any phone. Surprisingly, the 2MP camera captures decent images with good colour accuracy and average clarity under normal daylight conditions. However, the photos lack in texture detail, which might be forgiven for a sensor of its size. The captured video revealed artefacts and blurred out images in every frame. The display reveals washed out colours and blurred icons when you try viewing from the sides due to its limited viewing angles. However, the phone’s excellent video playback keeps you hooked to it, with due credit to its 262K screen. The integrated projector gets the job done by giving you the privilege to blow up the image up to 30-inches with acceptable picture clarity and brightness levels. If you try to get an image beyond this size, the images get blurred out and lose focus. Also, a distance of 5 to 6 feet is ideal for watching videos over the projected screen for optimum clarity and brightness levels. The display gets darker beyond this range and affects visibility. Overall, the G5 is ideally suited to be a good short range portable projector.

Our Take: A good short-range projector substitute

The G5 is a dual SIM short-range portable projector that fails as a basic phone, but delivers on its main USP – portable projector. Adding a decent camera and good build quality to its desirable traits, the G5 makes a strong statement. The lack of a good loudspeaker and handsfree headset is the major setback. The G5 delivers good picture clarity and colour crispness at short-range in Projector mode, which justifies its main USP. But, a low video resolution keeps it from blowing the image beyond 30-inches. Priced at Rs. 7,000, the G5 is a good short-range projector substitute, but not good enough to deliver as a phone. If you want alternate options, then you may look at Spice Popkorn M9000 at Rs. 6000.

Specifications:

• Quad Band GSM phone
• Dual SIM capable
• 2.4- inch display
• Expandable memory slot (8GB)
• 2MP camera
• Built-in mobile projector
• QVGA resolution (320 x 240)

Ratings
Features: 6.5
Performance: 6
Build Quality: 6.5
Value for money: 7
Overall: 6.5

Price: Rs. 7,000

Contact: Kingtech Electronics (India) Private Ltd.
Phone: 18001020255
E-mail: Serviceindia@gfivemobile.com
Website: www.gfivemobile.com/