There was a time when mainstream smartphone players like Samsung, Sony, LG and HTC were enjoying their supremacy over feature phone companies like Nokia. Then came a sudden boom of Chinese companies, and particularly OnePlus, which went viral amongst the internet generation.
Not only do cheaper chinese phones offer high-end specifications, but also good build quality and decent after sales service. However, it looks like US based companies want to take a bite of the pie too.
US-based smartphone maker, Nextbit, is going to launch its unique and unusual smartphone, Nextbit Robin, in India in April. The exact date is unknown, but it is pegged to be in the last week of this month. The smartphone was launched in the US last year at $399, with additional $70 for shipping to India.
The smartphone is very rectangular in shape, however the light blue accents and top and bottom give it a distinctive look.
What’s so special about Nextbit Robin?
Nextbit Robin is almost everything like your smartphone, except it has virtually unlimited storage. Yes, you will never run out of storage on your device, unless you don’t have access to internet at all.
The phone strives on cloud storage, with cloud integrated into Android OS. The phone backs up photos and apps as and when connected to the internet, and creates more physical memory on your device. The older files are archived and backed up data can be easily accessed on the phone.
The syncing takes place by default on WiFi and the phone smartly archives old files to create space on the smartphone. There are four small lights at the back which light up during sync.
Nextbit Robin is a high-end smartphone in a small cheaper package which is advantageous for the common man out there. It is priced a little higher than the OnePlus Two, but the expandable storage is one thing that may attract buyers.
Nextbit Robin specifications
- 5.2-inch full-HD (1080×1920 pixels) IPS LCD display with Gorilla Glass 4
- Spunky plastic body with fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button on the side
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Nextbit OS on top for added performance
- Qualcomm’s hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB physical storage, upto 100GB cloud storage that comes by default
- 13MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus, dual-tone flash and a 5MP front-facing camera
- 2680mAh battery, and a USB Type-C fast port with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
- Connectivity options include NFC, single-sim LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
Now some of you may wonder what’s so special in having just 100GB cloud storage, when certain third party apps offer the same amount. We want to stress on the fact that syncing is organized through Nextbit’s own cloud, and offers certain features unavailable in rivals.
Of course, third party apps can be installed in addition to the available storage to further increase the space available, which can make the phone virtually unlimited on data storage. It is an interesting concept and should retail at around Rs 27,000 in India at launch, which makes it an attractive buy.
Chinese phone companies may want to watch out for this smartphone because it could attract a lot of potential buyers solely for the storage feature. We hope to see someone coming up with ever-lasting rechargeable battery for smartphone to take things to another level.
