XOLO Q2100 review – with fingerprint scanner and Infrared

XOLO recently launched the Q2100 that is powered by the well known MediaTek 1.3GHz quad core processor. This handset is priced at Rs. 13,499 may sound a bit costly but it does comes with two unique features – a fingerprint scanner and infrared port.

Q2100 Box Pack
What’s Inside: The XOLO Q2100 handset, a screen guard, battery of 2800 mAh capacity, a good quality free flip cover, user guide, warranty information, data cable, travel charger and decent quality earphone with free ear plug caps.

Design and Display
The Q2100 weight is 162 grams with battery and dimensions are 76.17mm x 153.01mm x 8.90mm. The build quality is very good. The back panel is with a matte finish and the sides have dual silver borders one joining the back cover and the other touching the front screen area. It’s an OGS screen with corning gorilla glass 3 protection. The top and bottom sides are slightly curved.

Volume rockers and power button are on the right, micro USB port is at the bottom and 3.5mm audio jack and IR port is on the top. There are dual Microphones for noise cancellation. On the rear there is finger print scanner just below the LED flash.

The screen is 5.5 inches supporting 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. Colour reproduction is good and so are the viewing angles. Touch is smooth and responsive. There are accelerometer, light, proximity and magnetic sensors.

There are dual SIM slots – a normal SIM and a micro SIM. Normal SIM supports 3G and micro SIM (SIM 2) supports 2G.

OS, Memory and Storage
This dual SIM handset sails on Android 4.4.2 out of the box. The OS is customized. There is 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. Of the 1GB RAM, I guess about 400 MB or more will be available on the first boot. In apps the free RAM is not visible.

Of the 8GB 2GB is allocated for apps and about 4GB is the space for phone storage. There is micro SD card support and you can install / move apps on the external storage. OTG is also supported.

Performance and Benchmark
XOLO Q2100 houses the commonly used 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6582 quad core processor with Mali 400 MP GPU. Performance is good and lag free.

Benchmark scores

Gaming
I played Asphalt 8 and MC5. Both games got installed on the external storage. Asphalt 8 was playable in high graphics mode though there was a very minor lag – if you are looking for the lag you will notice it, but if you are playing the game it will not bother you much. If needed you can reduce the graphic quality. MC5 did not have any issues.

Camera and Entertainment
The hardware can play full HD videos. There is 8MP rear AF camera with SONY Exmor R sensor and LED flash plus a 2MP fixed focus camera on the front. Camera quality is good, could have been better. Check the sample images and videos. It can shoot FHD videos.

Others
Sound is loud and clear. No issues with GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G.

Finger print scanner
You can enroll up to 3 fingerprints. Since the scanner is on the back, try to enroll the index (first) finger that way you will be able to switch on the screen and unlock with fingerprint security using single hand.

For once the fingerprint app got stuck on the lock screen but I managed to use the alternate unlock option. Restarted the phone and that was fixed. I did not encounter that issue again. It is a good security feature.

Double tap supported
You can double tap the screen in standby mode to switch on.

Infrared port
There is peel smart remote app that comes pre-installed. You need to setup your dish network and then use your phone as an advance remote. You can view what’s on TV and tap it, point the phone towards the TV / Setup Box and it will switch to that channel using IR.

Float MultiTask Window
You can enable of disable this option in settings -> Gesture and Motion. With this enabled a circle will be visible on the screen all the time no matter which app you are working with. Tap the circle and you will be able to launch specific applications (check video review).

Battery
The battery backup looks good you can expect 4 to 6 hours with moderate to high usage. There is removable battery of 2800 mAh capacity.

Verdict
The Q2100 is priced at Rs. 13,499 it is using 1.3GHz quad core processor. You can actually get the Micromax Canvas Nitro an octa core for a cheaper price. But what makes the Q2100 unique is the finger print scanner and the infrared port. Now if this unique feature excites you then the XOLO Q2100 is a good option.

The XOLO Q2100 is available only in retail stores only for now for Rs. 13,499.
XOLO Q2100 Image Gallery

Front Camera Sample

XOLO Q2100 video review

FHD video sample shot using Q2100