Middle Order Batsman!  
Bangalore, December 31, 2018: In cricket, there are often conversations about that one star batsman, who has explosive talent and smashes records at will. Then there is the middle order, which is supposed to be the backbone of the batting attack, usually consisting of names that may not feature regularly, but get picked up due to their sheer pedigree and game-play abilities. These may not be names as big as the star opener but they do their bit silently, often leading their team to victory. Micromax is a middle order batsman in a team of a dozen smartphone brands.
Through the year, we hadn't heard much from the brand, but last week, the homegrown brand launched a  new series of  Infinity phones -- the N series -- short for Notch series, at affordable price points. The N12 and N11 devices will be available both online and offline. We took the N12 around for a spin.|
The 6.19 inch device comes with a screen display ratio of 18.9:9, and is powered by the Helio P22 processor. Micromax has incorporated AI capabilities to imaging with a few bells and whistles. For instance, the 13 MP + 5 MP dual rear camera, comes with a wide angle lens, which optimizes your images with individual modes such as portrait, beauty, 'face cute', watermark, bokeh, panorama etc. A few of these modes are also available for the 16 MP selfie camera.
The makers  claim to use different algorithms to identify scenes and optimize brightness, contrast and saturation of images to make them sharper and clearer. The N12 also uses AI to optimize power through a technology called CorePilot which does active UX monitoring. Another technology called Imagiq ISP creates bokeh with a single cam and ensures 3D noise reduction. Micromax also supports the NeuroPilot platform, that provides a free and open ecosystem for developers to create AI-powered applications.|
Available in a 3 GB + 32 GB memory configuration,  with the latest Android Oreo and 4GVoLTE, the MIcromax Infinity N 12 has a snug feel, thanks to its curved edges. With a fingerprint sensor at the back, the camera lenses are vertically aligned, with a notch that is not excessively intrusive, through fairly large.
The N 12 is priced at Rs. 9,999 and for a device that has packed in optimum specs, design and AI,   that's a  nice price. However, if you have run out of money towards end of the year, you can also opt for the N 11, which comes with a 2 GB + 32 GB memory configuration, and an 8 MP selfie camera, for Rs. 8,999.      VISHNU ANAND