Hybrid dual SIM phones have reduced effective SIM card slots to one. Say, you have 32GB internal storage on your phone. You will most likely end up filling the 24GB or so there is to spare in the first few months and will most probably have to resort to MicroSD storage for multimedia content at the expense of second SIM.
In the age of Reliance Jio, lucrative Wallet offers and OTP logins that we live in, multiple active SIM cards on one device can be of great convenience. And that’s precisely why you might be considering Coolpad Mega 3 – A triple SIM phone with a fourth dedicated MicroSD card slot – as your next smartphone.
So, apart from its overindulgence with slots, what else is the new Coolpad Mega 3 all about? Let’s discuss.
Coolpad Mega 3 Specifications:
| Model | Coolpad Mega 3 |
| Display | 5.5-Inch, IPS LCD, 720P HD |
| Processor | 1.25GHz MediaTek MT6737 Quadcore chipset |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB, expandable up to 64GB |
| Software | Android Marshmallow Cool UI 8.0 |
| Primary Camera | 8MP rear camera, f/2.0 aperture |
| Secondary Camera | 8MP selfie camera, f/2.0 aperture |
| Dimensions and Weight | 154.4×76.8×8.35mm and 170.5 Grams |
| Battery | 3050mAh |
| Others | 4G VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB OTG, 3.5mm, Triple SIM |
| Price | Rs. 6,999 |
Design and Build
From the front, Mega 3 looks like most other Coolpad phones that we have seen earlier. We are glad that this time around Coolpad is using a relatively subtle shade of gold for the chrome lining that runs all around the edges.
The ridged plastic back door has a rubberized feel to it and is removable. The shallow ridges on the rear enhance Mega 3’s visual appeal and lend it a firm grip. Underneath it are present the 3 eponymous SIM slots and the SD card slot. The battery, however, is sealed.
On the front, the display once again has thick black borders which don’t blend very well with the adjoining whites. It is lined with 3 navigation buttons on the bottom (not backlit) and you will find the usual sensors, earpiece and flash up top.
For the asking price of approx. 7K INR, Coolpad Mega 3 looks fairly good and feels quite durable. The 170gram weight is a bit off-putting, though. Premium isn’t the word that we would use to describe it, but then again the Mega 3 design works better for us than the Mega 2.5D that was trying way too hard by indiscreetly combining premium labels like 2.5D glass and metal at a budget price.
Also Read: Coolpad Cool 1 First Impression – Aggressively Priced Le 2 Upgrade With A Better Camera
Performance and Software
The Mega 3 is powered by 1.25GHz Quad-core MediaTek MT6737 processor paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, out of which 10.29GB is available for users. The MicroSD card slot accepts another 64GB secondary storage which can be effectively used for hoarding multimedia files.
Clearly, the Mega 3 isn’t cut out for heavy usage. This isn’t a gaming smartphone and is meant for anyone with basic usage requirements. And to such users, Coolpad Mega 3 performance should lie within bounds of acceptable.
Performance isn’t Mega 3’s forte for sure. Apps take sweet time loading, multitasking isn’t as smooth and the UI is sluggish at times. Since our usage is heavy and we have more than 50-60 apps installed on our phone at any given time, managing storage required frequent cleaning sessions. Apps cannot be moved to SD card either.
The Software is Cool UI based on Android Marshmallow. It presents ample customization options, feels quite intuitive and isn’t particularly bloated. At the same time, the UI design has a big room for improvement. You can always use a third party launcher that’s more in line with your individual taste.
The quick-settings panel can be dragged up from the bottom, which is something you will get accustomed to in no time. Extensive gesture support is also part of the Cool UI, but the slow chipset renders using gestures pointless.
Camera
On the camera front, Coolpad uses 8MP shooters on both front and rear, each with f/2.2 aperture optics and LED flash. It is unfair to expect much in terms of camera performance from entry-grade handsets and the Mega 3 isn’t the revolutionary phone that’s going to change that mindset of ours.
The rear camera of Coolpad Mega 3 allows you to capture workable shots in good lighting, and the same is true for the front selfie shooter. In low light, the camera performance dwindles steeply.
Camera samples coming soon
Battery, Connectivity, and Others
The Coolpad Mega 3 houses 3050mAh battery which can comfortably last for more than a day. Basic and moderate users, whom the handset primarily aims to cater to, can get full 1-day worth of usage even with all the three SIM cards plugged in; which is actually more than what we had initially expected.
Call quality on our review unit has been excellent so far. 4G VoLTE support can be accessed on any of the three SIM slots.
The handset has only three sensors – Accelerometer, Proximity, and Light. There is no Magnetometer or compass sensor to assist with navigation or Gyroscope for VR applications. Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and USB OTG.
Also Read: 10 Smartphones To Look Forward To In 2017
Verdict
The Coolpad Mega 3 is meant for basic users who would value keeping multiple SIM cards active on one device. For such users, the Mega 3 is worth considering at 6,999. After all, there is simply no other phone that allows you to plug 3 SIM cards simultaneously.
It’s certainly not a bad phone for the asking price, even if those extra slots don’t mean much to you. Entry level users can still get a decent smartphone experience out of it. At the same time, If you are willing to spend a bit more or are looking for a smaller option, Xiaomi Redmi phones or phones like Lenovo K6 Power and Moto G4 Play can offer a more refined experience.
Pros
- Sharp Display
- Decent battery backup
- Triple SIM and Dedicated SD card slot
Cons
- Software experience not as refined
- Mediocre performance
