Zen

Zen Cinemax 3: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
Spreadtrum SC7731G
Mali-400 MP2
2 GB / 16 GB
5.5 inch (480 x 854 px)
5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px

Zen announced the launch of the Cinemax 3 smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Spreadtrum SC7731G SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Cinemax 3 comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Zen Cinemax 3 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Zen Cinemax 3 / 1

Zen Cinemax 3 specifications

BrandZen
NameCinemax 3
ModelCM3
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.11 oz
Colorsblack
SIM typeMini SIM, Micro SIM

The weight of the Zen Cinemax 3 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

Zen Cinemax 3 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
SoCSpreadtrum SC7731G
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2

The Zen Cinemax 3 comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Zen Cinemax 3 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution480 x 854 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Zen Cinemax 3 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Cinemax 3 (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px
FlashLED
Selfie camera3 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Cinemax 3 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands900 / 1800
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. The Cinemax 3 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Cinemax 3 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Cinemax 3 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2900 mAh

The Li-Ion 2900 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Cinemax 3 smartphone has an accelerometer. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Zen phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • lack of autofocus
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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