This is a time when budget phone makers have moved on to the mid-range and are focusing their energies on phablets with quad-core CPUs and HD displays. However, those who seek sub-Rs 10,000 smartphones with 5-inch screens have more than enough options. Indigenous manufacturer Zync has updated its phablet line-up with the Cloud Z5 Dual Core, a phone that runs on a - you guessed it right - a dual-core processor and costs Rs 8,990. We reviewed the device to find out if it gives Micromax Canvas 2, inarguably the most popular phone in this price range, any competition. Here is what we saw ...
Hardware & design
Zync Coud Z5 Dual Core comes with a 5-inch TFT screen that has resolution of 800x480p and pixel density of 187ppi. As the name suggests, it runs on a 1GHz dual-core processor, paired with 512MB RAM, and has 4GB internal storage with support for up to 32GB microSD card, as is the standard at sub-Rs 10,000 phablets. Connectivity suite of the phone also does not hold any surprises and features 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 and microUSB 2.0 port. This dual-sim smartphone comes with a 2,500mAh battery.
This smartphone resembles the first Samsung Galaxy Note to quite an extent, though it is not as refined in appearance. Above the big display is the secondary camera and the usual sensors, while a hardware Home key and two capacitive Back and Options keys are below it. The Power/Lock key is on the right side, volume rocker on the left, microUSB port at the bottom and earphone jack is placed on top. Overall, the design of the phone is such that the phone is quite easy to handle, but its appearance is quite unremarkable and lacks the wow factor.
Software
On the software side, Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core gives you Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) out-of-the-box, a bit behind the stream as rivals are available with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). We were surprised that the usual suite of Google apps like Gmail and Gtalk were missing from the phone, though you can always download them from the Play Store. A few pre-loaded apps on the device are Facebook, Twitter, Office Suite, Bollywood Hungama, Bigflix etc. Overall, there was no customisation by the manufacture. While this means that you do not get any cool features, more importantly it means that there is no tweaking that slows the phone down.
Performance
The TFT screen of Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core is decent, but misses the mark when it comes to viewing angles and reflectivity. However, it offers acceptable sunlight legibility and is quite responsive and there was never any instance when it did not respond to touch.
The device is quite easy to hold in one hand and never seems too big, with easy to access keys on both sides. However, what surprised us most is how fluidly it operates even when we downloaded approximately 30-40 apps. This is a far cry from the experience Zync Z1000 tablet gave us. All the apps run perfectly well and there is never any lag to be noticed. Our fears of RAM falling short during moderate usage, something we have come to expect from budget phablets, came to be unfounded. However, its score of 6512 on Antutu benchmark test seemed a little low considering the surprisingly good user experience.
An 8MP camera with LED flash is strapped on the back of the phone, which does a decent job, but does not have anything remarkable to offer. The Camera app offers the basic controls that Android brings, nothing new. While the photo quality is good, you should be prepared for images with noise under low light. The battery gave us a pleasant surprise as Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core lasted nearly a day with moderate use on single charge.
Rivals
While Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core is a good smartphone for its price, it is in a segment that has intense competition. Micromax Canvas 2 is not the only good smartphone in category, but you can also opt for Lava Iris 501 and Karbonn Smart Titanium S1, along with offerings from others.
Canvas 2 has similar specifications, decent build quality and has recently been upgraded to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). However, its availability is thin right now, giving rivals like Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core some room. Lava Iris 501 is also a good option and delivers better performance in Antutu benchmark test.
Karbonn Smart Titanium S1 will be preferred over this Zync phone by those who are okay with a slightly smaller screen (4.5-inch) but a more powerful quad-core processor. However, we are yet to review this device and thus cannot comment on how good the overall user experience is.
Verdict
Zync Cloud Z5 Dual Core is a good phablet, especially if its price tag of Rs 8,990 is factored in the equation. In the budget segment, this device is placed a good Rs 2,000 below the competition, which may help it lure buyers who are not bothered by the branding of relatively better known companies. The device offers a decent user experience and seems to be worth the money, though not having Android 4.1 natively means that you do not get Project Butter optimisations, Google Now voice assistant etc.
What we like
*Easy to handle
*Smooth user experience
*Battery life
What we don't like
*No Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
*Basic Google apps missing
*Price: Rs 8,990
Key specs
*Display: 5-inch TFT display with 800x480p resolution, 187ppi pixel density
*Operating system: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
*Processor & RAM: 1GHz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM
*Storage: 4GB internal memory + 32GB expandable via microSD card
*Connectivity: 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, microUSB
*Camera: 8MP rear camera with flash, VGA front shooter
*Battery: 2,500mAh
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