Karbonn Sparkle V

Verdict

The Karbonn Sparkle V has a lot resting on its shoulders, and so do its other partners in crime. Entrusted with taking Google’s legacy in its purest form to the masses and getting them hooked on to the world wide web, the current Android One line-up is just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s lots more in the pipeline. There are more hardware partners in the fray now, including big names like HTC, Lenovo and ASUS, and the program is heading to more countries. Even the existing brands are planning to come with Android One version 2 devices, and clearly, there’s a lot at stake here. When l... Read Full Verdict

The Karbonn Sparkle V has a lot resting on its shoulders, and so do its other partners in crime. Entrusted with taking Google’s legacy in its purest form to the masses and getting them hooked on to the world wide web, the current Android One line-up is just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s lots more in the pipeline. There are more hardware partners in the fray now, including big names like HTC, Lenovo and ASUS, and the program is heading to more countries. Even the existing brands are planning to come with Android One version 2 devices, and clearly, there’s a lot at stake here. When looked upon spec-by-spec and feature-by-feature, the current trio of Android One devices are far from being perfect, and don’t really give us goose bumps with their specs or prices. However, we need to look at the bigger picture here.The Xiaomi Redmi 1s (review) is the one to beat in this price range, but the brand’s devices have always managed to buck the trend in terms of value for money. The Redmi 1s is a different beast altogether then, going on a different trajectory with its powerful specs and MIUI platform. It doesn’t help that it’s quite difficult to get hold of. Then there are others such as the ASUS Zenfone 4 (review) and the Micromax Unite 2 (review) that also make extremely worthy options in case you’re on the hunt for a daily driver and don’t want to sell your kidney. The Moto E (review) however, is the closest when it comes to the concept and ideology of the Android One initiative. With solid build quality (boosted further with use of Corning Gorilla Glass and a water-repellent nano coating), the latest Android version, and Motorola’s promise of timely updates makes the Moto E an unacknowledged and born-out-of-wedlock sibling of the Android One range. The lack of a front camera and a flash for the rear shooter do weaken its stand though. It won’t really be an exaggeration when we say that if you’re enticed with what the latest version of Google’s mobile OS to offer and don’t want to spend a bomb, the Android One range, including the Karbonn Sparkle V, is your best bet right now.