Micromax A56 Specs Pricing & Reviews Unveiled

Overview of Micromax A56

The Micromax A56, known as the Superfone Ninja 2, was launched in July 2012, garnering attention for its budget-friendly pricing and a range of features that it offered in the lower mid-range smartphone segment. This device highlighted Micromax's focus on targeting emerging markets with affordable smartphones equipped with basic smart functionalities.

Design and Build

The Micromax A56 boasts a compact design with dimensions of 116 x 62 x 11.5 mm and a weight of 110 grams. The phone's build is characterized by a practical yet straightforward aesthetic, available in classic Black and White color variants. It offers a dual SIM functionality using Mini-SIM slots, catering to users who require multiple numbers, which is particularly popular in many developing countries.

Display

Equipped with a 3.5 inch TFT display, the Micromax A56 delivers a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 171 ppi. This screen size and resolution were typical for budget smartphones at the time, suitable for basic media consumption and applications.

Platform and Performance

Under the hood, the Micromax A56 is powered by a Mediatek MT6573 chipset paired with an 800 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. This processor setup allows the phone to handle basic tasks and applications running on Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), which was commonly used during its release time. With 256MB of RAM, multitasking capabilities were limited, aligning with the expectations for a budget device in 2012.

Camera

The Micromax A56 features a single 3.15 MP rear camera. While lacking advanced features like autofocus or flash, this camera is suitable for basic photography needs in well-lit conditions. Notably, the device does not support video recording or a front-facing camera, emphasizing its focus on basic phone functionalities rather than high-end media capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The phone includes 256MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. This extension can significantly enhance storage capacity, which is crucial given the limited internal storage space for apps, media, and other data.

Battery Life

The Micromax A56 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery. This battery size offers a standby time of up to 180 hours and a talk time of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. While these specifications might seem low compared to today's standards, they were adequate for basic day-to-day operations at the time.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Micromax A56 supports GSM/HSPA technology and includes features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 (with A2DP for enhanced audio quality in wireless headphones), GPS with A-GPS for location services, FM radio with recording capabilities, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sound and Audio

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, catering to typical user needs for music and audio listening. The inclusion of a 3.5mm jack is particularly notable for users who prefer using wired headphones.

Price and Market Impact

At its launch, the Micromax A56 was priced around 80 EUR, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a dual-SIM smartphone. Its affordability, coupled with basic smartphone functionalities, allowed it to capture a significant user base in regions where price sensitivity is high. The discontinuation of the model reflects the dynamic nature of the smartphone market, where rapid technological advancements constantly shift consumer expectations.

Conclusion

The Micromax A56 exemplifies a strategic move by Micromax to offer value-for-money devices that meet the essential mobile communication and media needs of users in emerging markets. While it may not have offered cutting-edge technology or exceptional performance, its affordability, simple design, and basic functionalities assured its relevance to its target audience at the time.