India: MAXX Mobile has outed a couple of low cost phones powered by SAM noise suppression technology. While the MAXX MX401 is a bar phone, the MXQ601 is QWERTY. Branded as Khamoshhh, these phones aim to make it easy for consumers to talk in between noisy environment. Noise suppression has been a feature for the high end devices like an iPhone 4 or Nexus One but at a price point of below Rs 3,000, MAXX scores at 1/10th cost of these devices.
Both these devices are dual-SIM, feature a 2MP camera, 208 MHz processor, 3.5mm audio jack, micro SD support, FM radio and pre-installed Opera Mini browser along with a dedicated button to kick in the noise suppression technology. The MX401 has a 1500 mAh battery (5.5 hours talktime), 2.4? screen and large speakers, whereas the MQ601 has a 2.3? screen, 1000 mAh battery rated at (4.5 hours talktime) going along with the full QWERTY keyboard.
Noise Suppression
A user can choose two levels 70% and 100%, for noise suppressions between a call or by preset. Fortemedia’s SAM is one of the two leading hardware technologies for noise suppression in mobile devices. Both these devices have an extra mic on the back/top and in our testing it worked well. We would hold our final verdict until we are done with a detailed review, but, for now you know whats probably the only noise suppression phone at this cost!
Road Ahead
MAXX is about to launch several touchscreen phones before the year end and they won’t be just Android. MAXX sees a market for touchsceen devices that fit in between a regular feature phone and an Android smartphone. MAXX’s Android offering (MA440) that we looked at earlier is said to have sold out and has raised their interest levels in the platform. The company is also working a QWERTY phone with a touchscreen (a form factor seen with Treo 650 in the yesteryears and Nokia E6 and Samsung Galaxy Pro today.)
Available immediately, the MX401 costs INR 2833 and the MQ601 is priced at INR 2970.
