Micromax A119 Canvas XL A Comprehensive Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview

The Micromax A119 Canvas XL was launched in January 2014 and aimed at users looking for a large-screen smartphone experience without breaking the bank. Despite being discontinued, it offered a blend of functionality and affordability at the time of its release.

Body and Display

The Micromax A119 Canvas XL features a substantial 6.0-inch TFT display, providing ample screen real estate for browsing, media consumption, and gaming. Despite its size, the phone maintains a fairly minimalist design, weighing 180 grams and measuring 165 x 84.2 x 10.4 mm. This makes it somewhat bulky, but understandable given the time of its release and its target audience.

The display resolution is 540 x 960 pixels, which offers a pixel density of about 184 ppi. While this may not compete with the crisp screens of modern smartphones, it was adequate for multimedia and everyday tasks at the time.

Performance and Software

Powered by a quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, the Canvas XL was built to handle basic tasks efficiently. It came with 1GB of RAM, which, while modest by today's standards, sufficed for standard applications and activities back in 2014.

The smartphone ran on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an operating system that, during its day, was popular for its smooth user experience. This OS version allowed users access to several essential apps and games, although support for newer applications may be limited now.

Storage

With an internal storage of 4GB, out of which only 2GB was user-available, the phone prompted users to rely on its microSDHC slot for expandable storage. This was a common practice for smartphones at that time, allowing users to store more applications, photos, and media files by using external memory cards.

Camera Capabilities

The primary camera is an 8MP shooter, equipped with autofocus and a dual-LED flash. It was capable of capturing decent pictures in well-lit conditions, providing satisfactory image quality considering the device's market position. Video recording capability was also available, capturing memories in motion.

For selfies and video calls, the phone sports a 5MP front camera. This was above average for front cameras in the phone's price range, adding to its appeal among social media enthusiasts who enjoyed updating their profiles regularly.

Battery Life

The Micromax A119 Canvas XL houses a removable Li-Ion 2450 mAh battery. It claims to provide up to 209 hours of standby time and 9 hours and 30 minutes of talk time, making it suitable for daily use without frequent charging breaks.

Connectivity and Other Features

Connectivity options in the Canvas XL include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, FM radio with recording capabilities, and a microUSB 2.0 port. The absence of NFC can be a limitation for some, but essential functions are adequately covered.

The phone is equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, contributing to a satisfactory user experience for answer calls or adjusting screen brightness automatically.

Network and Communication

For network support, the device operates on GSM/HSPA technologies, supporting 2G and 3G bands that allow for basic mobile internet and communication features. Although the absence of LTE would be limiting today, it served its purpose during the time of its launch.

Conclusion

The Micromax A119 Canvas XL catered to users who desired a larger display within budget constraints. While it may be discontinued now, its value proposition included a mix of display size and basic smartphone functionalities fitting for its release era. The device is remembered for its attempt at making phablet-like devices accessible to the masses.