Review: Zen S30 3D

A budget phone in the third dimension.

Great battery life; 3D display; Dual-SIM

Poor interface; Sluggish 3D performance; No T9 dictionary; Poor camera; Limited viewing angle

Expert Rating :

Product: Zen S30 3D

MRP: Rs 5999

Street Price: ~ Rs 4249

It seems that 3D is turning into a major marketing gimmick by companies in order to push consumers to buy more products in the name of technology and innovation. In spite of all the headaches and nausea, it does looks like 3D is here for good and doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon.

The ongoing 3D craze has slowly spread to all forms of media; first it was "3D TV" then came gaming and now it's in cellphones. Now, Indian mobile manufacturer Zen has decided to cash in on this growing phenomenon with the introduction of its latest 3D phone, the Zen S30.

The S30 is the second 3D phone launched by an Indian company, after the slightly older Spice Mobile M-67. The phone is a dual-SIM and dual-band GSM device that comes with a 1.3 MP camera, dual speakers, and most importantly a 2.4" QVGA display integrated with 3D auto-stereoscopic technology, aka "glassless 3D". The real question is whether this device will provide customers an efficient 3D experience. Posing on the retail pack, Amitabh Bachchan for one does look impressed.

Build And Design
As is the case with most budget phones available in the market, the S30 has a very basic design with little aesthetic appeal. Both the front and back panels are made of black plastic with a matte finish. The phone's weight can be a bit overwhelming, but when combined with its slight bulk, gives it a sturdy and secure feel.
Two extra shortcut keys have been provided for activating the alternate SIM and music player. The keypad is well spaced out, but the keys themselves lack depth and have poor backlighting.

The top and bottom of the phone are completely deprived of any controls, while its sides are minimalistic. The 2.5 mm headphone jack and a non-standard USB port are an annoyance. Another drawback of the design is a lack of dedicated keys for the camera and volume.

The overall design of the phone bears a striking resemblance to its main competitor the Spice M-67, but the latter definitely has an upper hand because of its streamlined and elegant looks.