Zopo Speed 7 Plus: All fine, but a bit pricey

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These days we carry so much of ourselves - bank details, medical information - on our smart phones that the thought of transferring all this data can be a great inhibitor in switching devices, especially from one maker's to another's. Unless, of course, one is planning to upgrade; or getting an Apple.

In this context, Zopo's Speed 7 Plus makes a strong debut - its features are so similar to other smartphones that it is easy to adapt without too many hits and misses, or having to peruse its literature. It took me - and I am usually reluctant to try out a new device - about 20-odd minutes to download the apps I needed (Facebook, Gmail, Uber, WhatsApp), and I was as comfortable using it as my two-year-old Samsung.

But that's also its Achilles' heel: If it is so similar to other devices, what distinguishes it?

The hardware is impressive. Smart black cover, with a matte-finish on the back, the device is a lightweight. The large screen (full-HD resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution) provides a bright display. But the shiny cover also makes it slippery and it is advisable to get a good cover lest it slips out of your hand.

A 13.2-megapixel (MP) rear camera takes great pictures, even in low light. Pictures taken at night had little noise. The 5MP front camera is a sweet add-on, allowing comfortable Skype calls. This is something few in this Chinese smartphone segment can boast of.

The battery, usually the iffy part of the China-made phones, holds out for an entire day with regular use.

The 64-bit MT6753 octa-core processor at 1.5 GHz, along with a 3 GB of RAM makes it fast and smooth. The phone did not hang once during the entire month I used it. Yes, if you are going to watch videos that are too long or play video games continuously, it might heat up. But if you don't do all that, it works fine.

But as I said earlier, everything working just fine is not good enough - especially when it is priced at Rs 14,999. Samsung's Galaxy J7 comes for Rs 15,000; it has all the features and also the name of India's largest smartphone seller.

With its headquarters at Shenzhen, China, Zopo is a new player in a crowded market. Potential users will be looking not just for familiarity but also distinction and competitive pricing.
ZOPO SPEED 7 PLUS

• 5-inch display
• 920 x 1080 resolution
• MT6753 Octa-core processor 1.5 GHz
• 3GB RAM + 16GB ROM
• 13.2MP rear camera + 5MP front camera
• 3,000 mAh battery
• Android 5.1 Operating System