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Micromax IN 2b has just been announced in India, and it quickly caught my attention. I do not know of any other entry-level smartphone that is as attractive as this one right now on 2021. What makes the IN 2b so attractive? Let me walk you through.

First off, this is an entry-level Android smartphone. It costs $100 only. But this time, you get 4 GB of RAM. Usually, phones at this price offer you 2 GB. If you are extremely lucky, you will find one with 3 GB of RAM. But Micromax decided that chairman’s has to come early on 2021, and here you have a $100 smartphone with a whopping 4 GB RAM.

Is Micromax IN 2b the best entry-level Android phone of 2021? - 1

Is Micromax IN 2b the best entry-level Android phone of 2021?

Even better, Micromax IN 2b has a variant with 6 GB RAM. Expect to pay around $120 for that. Again, that is insane value. 6 GB RAM is something you find in upper, mid-range smartphones. But generous RAM is not all that the IN 2b offers.

Entry-level smartphones usually come with smallish screens. Not this one. It has a fairly large 6.52-inch LCD panel. It has a water drop notch that houses the 5MP selfie camera.

At the back is a fingerprint scanner and a dual camera that is headlined by a 13MP snapper. The second lens is a 2MP depth sensor. Underneath the back panel is a large 5000mah, battery that is coupled with 10W charging. Not much faster than standard charging, but better it is still. And all of these in a cheap entry-level phone.

But the Micromax IN 2b isn’t done yet. The manufacturer says it runs bare Android. Stock Android: no pre-installed apps or bloat of any sort, so there is nothing to bog down your RAM and storage memory. Micromax says it offers a “seamless, lag-free experience”. It sounds believable. Plus, users will get 2 years of software updates. Colour me impressed.

Powering the phone is a basic Unisoc T610 chipset. Nothing special here. This is an entry-level chipset. The IN 2b is an entry-level phone after all, but combined with generous RAM and no bloat, the processor should be able to easily deliver that “no hang” experience that Micromax promises.

Internal storage is a generous 64 GB too. Whether you buy the 4G RAM option or the 6 GB RAM option, that is the only storage options available. And it is large already for its price point. If you want to add a memory card, there is a microSD card slot that supports cards of up to 256 GB. Again, the storage department has .me impressed. Here is a look at the specifications in summary.

Micromax IN 2b specs in summary

OS: Stock Android 11 + 2 years software updates Network Type: 2G/3G/4G, dual-SIM, VoLTE Display: 6.52-inch Processor: Unisoc T610 Selfie Camera: 5 MP Rear camera: 13 MP + 2 MP depth sensor RAM: 4 GB. 6 GB ROM: 64 GB microSD Card: Up to 256 GB USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack, dual-band Wi-Fi, VoWiFi. Battery: 5000 mAh + 10W charging Colours: Black. Blue. Green.

In summary, what we have in the Micromax IN 2b is a $100 phone with a 6.52″ display, 4G LTE, VoLTE, 4/6 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, a 5000mAh battery, USB-C connectivity, 10W charging, stock Android, and a promise of two years software updates. It is tempting to say that Micromax IN 2b is the best entry-level Android phone of 2021.

it is available in India from August 8 at INR7,999 for the 4GB/64GB variant, and INR8,999 for the 6GB/64GB variant. You can buy it off Flipkart or from Micromax’s official website. The question now is, Why is Micromax not exporting this to South America, Africa, and the rest of Asia? I really would love to get my hands on one.

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Author:Mister Mobility

Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004

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What is aptX Adaptive? It is an audio Bluetooth codec designed to deliver the same quality of audio that you have come to expect from wired headsets. As the name suggests, it is a next generation dynamically adjustable audio codec designed from ground up to deliver robust, low-latency, low-bit rate, high quality wireless audio. We are talking about CD quality audio here, but with a twist.

The aptX Adaptive codec is available for smartphones, Bluetooth earbuds, ear phones, and wireless speakers. When paired together, compatible devices and accessories deliver top quality audio. You can have a compatible set of earbuds, but your msartphone may not be supported. The best sound experience is delivered where both the smartphone and the Bluetooth audio accessory are compatible.

aptX Adaptive phones and Bluetooth headsets - 2
  • What is aptX HD?
  • What is aptX Adaptive?
  • aptX Adaptive vs aptX HD
  • Does Android support aptX Adaptive?
  • List of aptX Adaptive Phones
  • Does Apple use any aptX audio codecs in iPhones?
  • Do Samsung phones support any aptX audio codecs?
  • List of aptX Adaptive Bluetooth Headsets
  • Related Bluetooth Audio Codecs

What is aptX HD?

aptX HD is an audio codec that supports 24-bit audio file transmission via Bluetooth and reduces signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in lower distortion. In summary, it delivers higher audio quality over Bluetooth.

What is aptX Adaptive?

It is an adjustable codec that is much more efficient than aptX HD, but using a smaller amount of date to produce the CD quality sound quality over Bluetooth. It was designed with video and gaming in mind.

aptX Adaptive vs aptX HD

Note that aptX Adaptive is different from aptX HD and basic aptX. The new Adaptive codec is the latest evolution of aptX and aptX HD. The goal of the different versions of aptX have been to deliver better audio via Bluetooth. aptX HD delivers high definition, CD quality Bluetooth audio. It is aptX Adaptive that takes it to the next level – the big difference is that it automatically adjusts to provide optimum audio quality or latency depending on what content is being played on the supported smartphone. As such, it supports high quality audio at even very low bitrates. In summary, it automatically switches between aptX and aptX HD.

The beauty is that aptX Adaptive is backwards compatible with aptX HD and aptX. That means, for example, that wireless earbuds supporting Adaptive will connect to a phone supporting only aptX or HD and use those older codecs instead.

Does Android support aptX Adaptive?

Yes; Android OS supports the new Adaptive codec, and there are many compatible Android phones in the market already. Note that it isn’t built into Android, so each manufacturer has to decide whether to include it into each of their devices. Some phone brands with aptX Adaptive phones include: Nokia, Google Pixel, Motorola, Sony, Smartisan, Sharp, ZTE, OnePlus, ASUS, and Xiaomi.

Note that it supports other platforms, like Windows 10 and macOS as well.

Nokia 5.4 in hand at mobilityarena - 3

List of aptX Adaptive Phones

Here is along but not exhaustive list of phones that have been announced and launched in recent times with Adaptive support. Note that new phones are being announced monthly, and so this list cannot capture all the available models that support it.

  • Moto G Stylus
  • Moto G100
  • Moto Edge S
  • Moto G50
  • Nokia X20
  • Nokia X10
  • Nokia 5.4 . See our Nokia 5.4 review .
  • Nokia 3.4 . See our Nokia 3.4 review .
  • Sony Xperia 5 II
  • Nokia 8 v 5G UW
  • Smartisan R2
  • OnePlus 8T
  • OnePlus 8T + 5G
  • Nokia 8.3 5G
  • ZTE Axon 20 5G
  • ASUS ROG Phone 3
  • ASUS ZenFone 7 Pro
  • ASUS ZenFone 7
  • Asus Zenfone 8
  • Xiaomi Mi Note 10
  • Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro . See our Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro review , and long-term review .
  • Sony Xperia 10 II
  • Sony Xperia 1 II
  • Nubia Z20

There are other smartphones not listed here that support the new aptX codec, so this is not an exhaustive list. You should also have a look at my more detailed list of 42 phones that support aptX Adaptive .

Does Apple use any aptX audio codecs in iPhones?

No; Apple does not use aptX in iPhones. Instead, it uses AAC.

Do Samsung phones support any aptX audio codecs?

Samsung Galaxy S22 range, including the S22 Ultra , support aptX classic, but not the newer, more advanced aptX HD or Adaptive. The Galaxy S23 models lack these advanced codecs as well.

Edifier TWS1 Pro Blietooth earbuds with aptX Adaptive support - 4

List of aptX Adaptive Bluetooth Headsets

The following Bluetooth headsets all support Adaptive:

  • Edifier TWS1 Pro
  • Bowers & Wilkins PX7
  • Bowers & Wilkins Pi3
  • Bowers & Wilkins Pi4
  • Bowers & Wilkins PX5

aptX Adaptive phones and devices are great for listening to high quality audio, as well as watching movies and YouTube videos. I have played around with and reviewed some of the above devices and cannot recommend aptX Adaptive enough.

Read up some more about aptX HD .

Author:Mister Mobility

Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004