I have always said that one of the key gadgets that one requires when they travel is a good mobile phone. It is not just about capturing images or staying in touch but also, for the fact that it tends to become a security device for you. Most of us tend to store our information on this device and thus when lost, your phone also, acts as your guide. And then, there is also, a need to bust your boredom during those long travels, when it doubles up as your entertainment device. I have shared my opinion on several phones before that can work for a traveler but today, I review a new entrant into this mobile market – the InFocus Turbo5 Plus.
InFocus Turbo5 Plus was launched a few weeks back and they promise a 2-day battery life with a dual camera set-up that works perfectly for a traveler. I got a chance to give an opinion to my readers on what I thought about the phone and naturally, I was game for a lot of you might just need it. Since I am no techie, I will not be getting into the Greek and Latin of the make. I have looked at this phone purely from a perspective of a traveler and hence, will be reviewing it only from those parameters. So, here goes –
Contents
1) Overall Look and Feel of InFocus Turbo5 Plus
Sleek is the first adjective that I had on my mind when I unboxed the InFocus Turbo5 Plus. The phone that was sent to me was in the Royal Gold color that added to the elegance of the phone. I even liked the curved edges of the phone, which makes it easy to handle. The specs tell me that the phone is around 15.5 cms long and 8 cms wide. The thickness is just around 9mm, which makes it fairly easy to stick into the back pocket of your trousers.
The one thing that I personally am wary of, is that fact that the glass is not a Guerilla glass. And the clumsy person that I am, I might just shatter it with a drop.
2) Processing and Memory Capabilities
I for one, am a heavy app user on the phone. From location services to social media and personal utility tools like notes, I capture it all on the mobile. This is where I feel that the processing capabilities and the memory required need to be up to the mark. The InFocus Turbo5 Plus comes with an MT6750 Octacore processor and a 3GB RAM that does the processing fairly quick. Adding to the easy is the preloaded Android 7.0.I loaded the device with a few games, social apps, and photo apps. I tried using them all together, and I would say that it was not too bad. Multitasking is definitely a plus on this phone.
The phone comes with a built-in memory of 32GB and allows you a memory expansion upto 64 GB with a microSD card. This seems perfect again given the number of multimedia files I store on my phone.
The Infocus Turbo5 Plus has a dual SIM capability – perfect for a traveler who uses two different SIMs when abroad.
3) Security features
As a traveler, I like to travel cashless as much as possible. This also, means heavily relying on m-payments. Also, a lot of personal information tends to get stored on your phone – so security becomes of prime importance. The InFocus Turbo5 Plus comes with a fingerprint sensor that definitely increases the security quotient of the phone. Should you lose the phone (and yes, that is a nightmare!) the only option that the finder has to reset the phone, causing them to wipe out your personal data anyway.
4) Battery Life of InFocus Turbo5 Plus
My biggest crib when traveling is the battery of my phones. True that the phones go through an additional layer of battery requirement –
- Roaming tends to drain your battery faster
- I tend to leave the location services on for security reasons
- Using multimedia like Camera and Music definitely, add to the battery stress
I could not test this phone in these conditions but I simulated a few. I left the location services on and used it to capture a run that I did. Adding to this, I used the multimedia apps for the two days that I was testing the phone and I must say that the phone scores a little high on the battery drain. Though the claimed battery life is for 2 days, I would say that it would serve well for around a day. Good enough for a traveler for I know of phones that need a charge within half a day!
5) Dual Camera of InFocus Turbo5 Plus
I deliberately left my biggest focus and parameter for the end. My first criteria for any phone is its camera – I mean, you all know that I love capturing pictures 🙂
The InFocus Turbo5 Plus has a 13MP dual camera on the rear and a 5MP front camera. In addition, it offers features like Panorama and Depth effect for portraits. The camera also, offers an expert mode that allows you to manually adjust the settings as in a DSLR. It also, allows you to capture RAW images. Naturally, I had to test them all and here is what I caught – all unedited for you ti understand better.
Natural Light Photography
The HDR version does give a certain sharpness to the picture but I found the vivid shades of the scene lacking. Sure you can set that right with the InFocus photo editing tool but I would have preferred capturing it straight on.
Macro Photography
The details are fairly decently captured and are quite sharp. I even experimented with their Depth option that allows you 4 levels of Bokeh effect. You can adjust the area you wish to capture and then just click to get that blur effect. Definitely, helps when you have a subject you need to focus on.
Panorama
I personally, found this lacking as compared to a lot of other phones that I have used. The panorama is not a smooth sweep but needs you to move along an arrow and wait till that part is recorded. Once that is done, you move again to the next one is added. This definitely creates a lag as you tend to lose out on the continuous motion of the subjects in the background – in this case the lapping water and the birds.
On the plus side, you can take both horizontal and vertical panoramas.
Low Light Pictures
The low light photos were not very satisfactory. I would have liked a little more sharpness to the image. I would have assumed that the dual camera, this would have been better.
Video Capabilities
Here is a short clip of a centipede that I captured on the InFocus Turbo5 Plus. While it is quite sharp when held still, there is a slight motion blur when I moved the camera closer to the subject. I loved the audio capture though for you can even hear the babble of crowd that was quite far from where I was standing.
Selfies
The front camera left me wanting for more. I could have done with better selfies – more vibrant and clearer. No doubt that the beauty mode helps but it still left me wanting for more.
Overall Verdict on the Infocus Turbo5 Plus
Given that this is a Smartphone under 10000, there are quite a few parameters that I felt worked for a traveler. Here is my summary of them –
Given the price point and the features, I think the InFocus Turbo5 Plus is a good phone to be included in your search for Handsets under 10000 Rupees. The handset can be purchased exclusively on Amazon India. Tell me what you found interesting about this phone. 🙂 Tell me what did you find interesting about this phone. 🙂
P.S:Â My views and reviews as above are purely based on this experience of using the Infocus Turbo5 Plus.They are truly and honestly my own.
Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
I’ve lost my phone once and I know what you meant when you said it would be a nightmare. I practically had to change all my email, bank and social media passwords after that. I think this phone addresses the security issue with the fingerprint lock. I am also a DSLR user and slowly fitting in use of phone cam into my travels so photo quality is one of my big considerations if ever I’d buy a new phone. Based on your review, I would like to think there are better phone models, camera-wise.
True, there are better camera phones but for this price point, I think what Infocus Turbo5 offers is fairly decent.
The Infocus turbo plus looks like a good option especially when travelling. The photography settings like natural light work well, and I like your selfie shot! I use a lot of apps too, so it’s good to know this phone has the capactiy.
Indeed, it is fairly good with the battery power. You should definitely consider it if you want a new phone.
I’ve never heard about this phone before, and it’s nice to know about other options aside from an iPhone for traveling. I know that we usually get picture-happy when traveling and that camera is pretty good. I try to use a regular camera as much as possible because I know how much they drain batteries!
True, though if you are an instagrammer, you will prefer the phone for an easy upload. This one does perform a shade better owing to its battery life. Thanks for stopping by.
The phone is not a bad one. I’m impressed with the front camera. I’m sure my phone won’t get that selfie without filters. The battery life is also an highlight for me. Looking at the sepcs overall, like you said, InFocus Turbo Plus is worth a buy.
Definitely a good consideration at that price point. Thanks Kathy for stopping by
You have got some super cool shots with the phone. For a traveller, long battery life and a good camera are a must in the phone:) This seems to be a good option for those looking a phone with a good battery life. I love the finger lock system! Very useful and it isnt a very common feature. A detailed and in depth review 🙂 Good one!
Thank you Divsi. For the price point, it sure has a lot of features.
The Infocus Turbo Plus phone seems like a great choice for a smartphone. Given that it is pocket-friendly and has some great features, it is definitely a perfect option for people looking for a budget smartphone. The battery life although lasts just for a day, it is still good in comparison considering some of the smarthpones in market having lower life.
Adding to that, the price point is what makes it attractive. Thanks for stopping by Suma. Glad you too concur with some of my views.
wow, what a detailed post. this phone takes amazing photos!
Thanks. The phone does take decent pictures. Hope you get a chance to test it yourself. Cheers
Thanks for the review, Ami. I have not previously heard of this phone. I am an iPhone user and love it for the camera, and because iCloud automatically uploads my photos for me so that I can delete on the go if necessary.
Thanks Doreen for stopping by. The phone is a new entrant and hence, not surprising that you have not heard of it before. Cheers
I did not heard about this phone, seems to be a very good quality one and very budget friendly.
Thanks for the review.
It is a fairly new entrant so not surprised that people have not heard of it. Thanks for stopping by Jyotirmoy
I liked this model when I tested it. Apart from all the features, I think these new phones have come as a relief for their big batteries. Earlier, I used to run out of charge within a few hours and could not use my phone when I needed the most!
That centipede is dashing!
Thanks Jitaditya. I know what you mean about the battery. This one is solid. And yes, the centipede was cute. 🙂
Nice to read your review on infocus Turbo5 plus.Thanks a lot.
Thank you Rupam
Never in my life heard of this phone! I think people forget that there are other options! Looks like a decent fix for travels, thanks for sharing.
It just launched Danielle. So not surprised you have not heard of it. It sure is a good travel option. Cheers.
Turbo5 plus sounds like a great travel companion. I liked the durability of the battery as promised for two days. Also fingertips recognition facility for secure information in the mobile is great features. Camera quality looks good as well. And sleek is the right word to describe=be the look of it.
Thanks Parnashree. It is a good low cost option for a smartphone
It’s a must have essentials for travel. What I really like about this device is its octacore processor and 3GB RAM. Looks like there will be no issue with its performance.
Well, it does seem like a sturdy phone and for that price point, is quite loaded. Thanks for stopping by Kevin.
I was looking for a phone in the similar price bracket. Glad you wrote such a detailed review. Being a frequent traveler myself, this looks like the perfect travel companion. I like its solid battery life. That’s the most important feature for me.
You should definitely consider this one then Abhinav. Thanks for reading through.
The phone seems to have performed pretty well. I know what you mean about battery life. There’s nothing worse than running out of battery and not being able to take pictures or use GPS to find your way back to the hotel. That’s why I always carry an external battery in my daypack or have a case with a built-in battery backup.
I know that feeling when you are stuck with low battery. Glad they have got that right here. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers
Thanks for this honest review of the turbo 5. It sounds like a good solid phone. Love the long battery life. I agree that the photos are very good but not awesome. All in all it seems like a pretty good choice for the price.
Glad you concur on that. For that price point, I think it is a good choice. Thanks for stopping by
From the list of features that you have described here, it seems to me as if this mobile has been particularly designed with travelers in mind 🙂 The long battery life, good camera, everything else points towards it. I will need to check it out.
Well, I did look at it from the traveler’s perspective and needs. Maybe there are things about it that appeal or not to the others. Either ways, it seems fine for us. Thanks Neha for stopping by
Usually people use do traveling with their phone but what should good while traveling with infocus turbo5 plus! I was thinking before this post but after overview this post I like infocus turbo5 plus !
Glad you do Sophia. Cheers
The battery is a very important part of a phone for me, especially on long treks or travels. The Turbo5 has a good battery backup which is so useful Also a shout out to the lovely images that you have captured with the Turbo 5. All in all a great ally on your travels.
Yep, for that price, it sure is. Thanks for stopping by guys.
Sounds like a pretty good option. The battery life is probably the most attractive thing for me since I now travel with a power pack just in case my phone dies. I’m always taking pics and videos so it happens eventually!
Same here, which is why I reviewed it from that parameter. Seems solid. Cheers