Hyve is making maintaining phones less annoying

While the specifications might not make them the most appealing options on the market, the company is banking on services and unique features like Touch2Call

While the specifications might not make them the most appealing options on the market, the company is banking on services and unique features like Touch2Call

Hyve, an Indian smartphone designer has launched two smartphones — Buzz at ₹13,999 and Storm at ₹8,499 — which go on sale on June 22. The three co-founders haven't packed the highest specifications at budget prices to jump into the raging price war. Instead, the company plans to launch fewer phones every year and bank on quality, components, performance, design, regular updates and better customer support to "delight" customers using their smartphone.

Aiming to get to the one million unit mark in India during the first year, the smartphones are designed and developed by Hyve in India and just assembled in China. The phones are water resistant and comply with Google's GMS certification. So, the smartphones gets the GMS apps such as contacts, phone and camera. The company also promises to get you the latest version of Android, will respect your privacy, not include any unnecessary apps nd customer service via the app, website or call center.

The phone runs stock Android OS that has let them optimise the device for quicker app launches and more free (up to twice) RAM for better multitasking. The phones are also water resistant and sport oleophobic coating to be dust and fingerprint resistant.

The cheaper sibling, Storm has 2GB of RAM, and 16 GB internal storage that's expandable up to 80 GB. The screen is 5-inch HD and supports Mira Vision for custom settings. The camera is of 13 MP with ISOCEL and PDFA for faster focus and better low light photography. The battery despite being of 2,000 mAh claims to provide 13 hours of talk time. The design is slick and promise performance.

The Buzz for now, is their most expensive device with a faster processor, bigger 5.5-inch full HD screen and a beefier 2,500 mAh battery. The phone also supports faster charging via the USB Type-C ports and is waterproofed with tiny rubber flaps protecting connector ports. The phone has 3 GB of RAM and 13 MP camera sensor from Sony. The front camera despite being of 5 MP, takes better pictures even in low light with the Dual Pixel technology.

The Buzz also has a fingerprint sensor and a glowing Hyve logo on the back. Available in wine, black and blue colours, the phone can be taught to call a specific mobile number depending on which finger you place on the sensor, putting speed dial at your fingertips. This feature is called Touch2Call. The phone also supports VOLTE for better call quality over 4G networks.

Hyve is also working on a feature called TouchForHelp to program the phone to send distress SMS and call on placement of a specific finger. Once activated, the phone will send the alerts and appear to be dead while recording the audio until the same finger is placed on the sensor.

While the specifications might not make them the most appealing options on the market, the company is banking on services and unique features like Touch2Call. The devices needing repairs will be picked up and dropped off at your desired time and place within a week. The service will be available across India and they can also call into the customer care which will connect you directly to a representive instead of IVR. While customer service will be available on an app on the Hive smartphone and web, the app will be able to perform performance checks too.