Micromax Canvas Spark vs Xiaomi Redmi 2: Specifications, features compared

Micromax today launched the Canvas Spark at an event in New Delhi. The smartphone is priced at Rs 4,999, and will go on sale next week exclusively via Snapdeal. With the Canvas Spark, Micromax is taking aims at the Xiaomi Redmi 2. We put them in a specifications comparison to see how they fare.

PriceThe Xiaomi Redmi 2 is priced at Rs 6,999, is exclusively available on Flipkart. The Canvas Spark, on the other hand, is a cheaper option with a price tag of Rs 4,999. It will retail on Snapdeal from next week onwards.

DisplayIn terms of size, the Canvas Spark and the Redmi 2 both feature 4.7-inch screens. But when you consider the resolutions, Micromax’s smartphone lags with a qHD (960×540 pixels) display, as opposed to the HD (1280×720 pixels) display on the Redmi 2.

The display on the Canvas Spark is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while the display on the Redmi 2 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2.

ProcessorThe Redmi 2 is powered by a Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor with 64-bit capabilities, while the Canvas Spark is powered by a MediaTek MTEK6582 quad-core chipset. The processors on the two smartphones are paired with 1GB of RAM.

StorageThis round is a tie with both smartphones featuring 8GB onboard memory, which can be expanded using a microSD card.

CamerasThe Canvas Spark and the Redmi 2 have a similar set of cameras — 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera. We will however reserve our judgment on which is the best camera, till we have reviewed the handsets.

BatteryThere’s not a lot differentiating the batteries on the two smartphones. The Canvas Spark has a 2,000mAh battery, while the Redmi 2 has a 2,200mAh battery underneath.

SoftwareThe Canvas Spark runs on Android Lollipop out-of-the-box. The Redmi 2 runs on Android KitKat-based MIUI 6.

ConnectivityBoth the smartphones feature dual-SIM card slots, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. But the Redmi 2 edges ahead with its support for 4G LTE, while the Canvas Spark only supports 3G.

ConclusionBoth the smartphones are quite closely matched in terms of the specifications and features they boast. On paper the Redmi 2 has an advantage with LTE support, as well as an HD display, while the Canvas Spark supports 3G and features a lower resolution qHD display. More importantly however, Micromax’s smartphone runs on Android Lollipop out-of-the-box, and is priced Rs 2,000 lower than Xiaomi’s smartphone.

A detailed list of specifications follows:

Features	Micromax Canvas Spark	Xiaomi Redmi 2
Display	4.7-inch qHD	4.7-inch HD
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Processor	1.3GHz MTK6582 quad-core	Snapdragon 410 quad-core 64-bit
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	8GB (expandable)	8GB (expandable)
Rear Camera	8-megapixel	8-megapixel
Front Camera	2-megapixel	2-megapixel
Battery	2,000mAh	2,200mAh
Android OS	5.0 Lollipop	KitKat (MIUI 6)
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Dual-SIM, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Price	Rs 4,999	Rs 6,999