The Micromax Canvas Magnus A117 and Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD were popular budget contenders back in their day. Both promised a decent experience without breaking the bank, but how do they stack up against each other? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus edges out the Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD due to its slightly more powerful chipset (MT6589T vs MT6589) and generally better software optimization. While both are dated, the Magnus offers a marginally smoother experience for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, October | 2013, June. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 74 x 9 mm (5.67 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 149.4 x 74.9 x 9.3 mm (5.88 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | - | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~61.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6589T (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6589 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX544MP2 | PowerVR SGX544 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB (2.6GB user available), 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 12 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | - |
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 180 h | Up to 362 h |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h | Up to 7 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black/White |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) |
Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus
- Slightly better performance due to MT6589T
- Potentially better software optimization
- Compact and easy to handle
- Lower screen resolution than Spice Mi-525
- Mediocre camera quality
- Dated hardware
Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD
- Full HD display offers sharper visuals
- Larger screen for media consumption
- Compact and easy to handle
- Lower performance than Micromax A117
- Mediocre camera quality
- Dated hardware
Display Comparison
Both phones featured a 5-inch display, but the Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD boasted a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, while the Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus had a lower resolution (likely 1280 x 720). This means the Spice offered noticeably sharper visuals, especially for video playback and detailed images. However, the quality of the panels themselves was likely similar, with average viewing angles and color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs were similar on both devices, typically featuring an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality was generally mediocre, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise in low-light conditions. The software processing likely played a larger role in the final image quality than the hardware itself.
Performance
The key difference lies in the chipset. The Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus used the MT6589T, a slightly overclocked version of the MT6589 found in the Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD. This translates to a small but noticeable performance advantage in the Magnus, allowing for slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking. Both phones struggled with demanding games and modern apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity was around 2000mAh on both devices. Battery life was adequate for light usage, but heavy users would need to charge their phones at least once a day. Performance and screen resolution significantly impacted battery drain.
Buying Guide
The Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus is suitable for users seeking a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Spice Mi-525 Pinnacle FHD might appeal to those prioritizing a slightly larger screen, but performance will be a limiting factor. Neither is recommended for modern use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
No, these phones are quite outdated. Modern smartphones offer significantly better performance, features, and security. They are not recommended for regular use.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both phones originally shipped with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Updates were limited, and they likely run older, unsupported versions of Android now.
