G'FIVE G5 is of the new breed of projector phones, and one of the first such to integrate a projector in a unibody design. Though it seems to be a very innovative idea to bring two devices together in one shell, the concept is still new and will need some improvement before it is widely accepted by the masses. Let us find out later in the review, if the G5 can truly stand up and deliver on its main USP as a projector phone, while also serving its primary objective as a dual SIM phone.

Look and feel: Solid build quality, ordinary ergonomics

The G5 brings out a solid feel with due credit to its metal body on the front and lower portion of its rear panel. Its metallic body coupled with the integration of projector device makes it quite a bit heavier than a typical dual SIM phone. However, its rounded edges enhance the grip while holding the phone in your hands. The battery cover is made out of hard plastic and supports a slider mechanism, which is a cool plus compared to the regular pull-out covers that could hurt your fingers. The camera has been shifted a little downwards to accommodate the projector device at the top side of the rear panel. This relocation strategy could affect the usability of the camera particularly while taking overhead snaps.

The bevelled key structure with isolated keypad design enhances usability and ergonomics while typing. On the downside, the weird positioning of the navigation control dial, the option select buttons and the call function buttons below the keypad affects usability to a large extent. This is particularly true if you are accustomed to their normal positioning, which is right below the display. Also, the switching mechanism between caps, small letters and numerics requires you to tap the '#' key every-time, which is really cumbersome and frustrating. In spite of the glaring pitfalls in the ergonomics, we can take home the noticeably responsive interface, which is quite uncommon on the budget phones. The presence of a volume rocker button on its side adds usability. At the same time, the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack is a let-down.

Features: Buggy document viewer, innovative short-range projector

In addition to the regular social-networking features - Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter, the G5 is preloaded with document reader. The reader app is intended for viewing Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your cellphone. However, the app itself is buggy and failed to open any of the .doc, .xls or ppt documents on the phone, while displaying a weird error message: “System no font”. The G5 comes with an integrated projector device with a focus wheel, which is an innovative feature for the cellphone. The focus wheel can be adjusted to increase the image clarity and focus depending on the projector's distance from the screen. You can switch between Normal mode and Projector mode to toggle between phone and projector device functions. The phone needs to be held sideways while navigating the menu screen in Projector mode, which is quite unfriendly as you have to literally search for the keys. However, the video playback in projector mode works fine in normal orientation, which is a saving grace.

Read on to know the performance, our take, specifications, ratings and test results on the next page...