The Karbonn A34 and Micromax Canvas Tab P650 represent the extreme end of the Android tablet market, targeting users seeking basic functionality at the lowest possible price. This comparison dissects their core hardware – specifically the Mediatek MT6515 and the quad-core Cortex-A7 – to determine which device delivers the most usable experience for everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Micromax Canvas Tab P650 is the better choice. Its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU offers a significant performance advantage over the Karbonn A34’s single-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9, making it more suitable for web browsing and app usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 2100 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013. Released 2013 | 2013, September. Released 2013, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 197 x 124 x 12.3 mm (7.76 x 4.88 x 0.48 in) | 204 x 154 x 9.6 mm (8.03 x 6.06 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Yes |
| Weight | 335 g (11.82 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~160 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 139.5 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~63.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6515 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX531 | PowerVR SGX544 |
| OS | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | Proprietary | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 240 h | Up to 400 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 10 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery | Li-Ion 4800 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray/White | Black, White |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Karbonn A34
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer slightly longer battery life due to less powerful processor
- Simpler operating system may be easier to navigate for novice users
- Significantly slower performance due to single-core processor
- Poor multitasking capabilities
- Outdated CPU architecture
Micromax Canvas Tab P650
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to quad-core processor
- Improved multitasking capabilities
- More suitable for web browsing and app usage
- Potentially shorter battery life
- May be slightly more expensive than the Karbonn A34
- Still utilizes an older CPU architecture
Display Comparison
Information regarding display specifications (resolution, panel type, brightness) is unavailable for both devices. Given their price point, it's reasonable to assume both utilize TN panels with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both models. Without concrete data, a direct comparison is impossible, but the focus should be on functionality over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the target market, it’s safe to assume both tablets feature low-resolution cameras primarily intended for video calls rather than photography. Image quality will likely be poor in all lighting conditions. Focusing on camera performance for these devices is largely irrelevant.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The Karbonn A34’s Mediatek MT6515 features a single 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 core. While Cortex-A9 was a capable architecture in its time, it’s significantly outdated. The Micromax Canvas Tab P650, however, boasts a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. The Cortex-A7, while also an older architecture, benefits from having four cores, enabling it to handle multiple tasks concurrently with far greater efficiency. This translates to smoother app switching and a more responsive user experience. The higher clock speed of the P650 further contributes to its performance advantage. The A34 will struggle with even moderate multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for both devices. However, considering the less demanding hardware in the Karbonn A34, it may offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge. The Micromax Canvas Tab P650’s more powerful processor will consume more power, but the increased performance may justify the trade-off for users who actively use the tablet. Without specific mAh figures and charging wattage, a definitive statement is impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Karbonn A34 if you need a tablet solely for extremely basic tasks like reading ebooks or simple media consumption, and your budget is severely constrained. Buy the Micromax Canvas Tab P650 if you prefer a more responsive experience for web browsing, light multitasking, and a generally smoother user interface, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Micromax Canvas Tab P650 struggle with modern Android apps?
While the Cortex-A7 is an older architecture, the quad-core configuration provides enough processing power for basic Android apps. However, demanding games or resource-intensive applications may experience lag or performance issues. It's best suited for lightweight tasks like web browsing, email, and video playback.
❓ Is the Karbonn A34 suitable for video conferencing?
The Karbonn A34 can technically be used for video conferencing, but the low-resolution camera and limited processing power may result in a poor video and audio quality. The Micromax Canvas Tab P650 would likely offer a slightly better experience, but neither device is ideal for frequent or high-quality video calls.
❓ Can I expect software updates on either of these tablets?
Software update support is highly unlikely for both the Karbonn A34 and the Micromax Canvas Tab P650. These devices are entry-level models and typically receive limited or no long-term software support from the manufacturers.
