Android 4.0 Zync Cloud Z5 Phone With 5” Screen And 3G Dual-SIM Available For Rs 9500

"Phablets" are devices that fall between mobile phones and tablets in terms of screen size. More of them are becoming available in the Indian market; Zync has launched its own Cloud Z5. It runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), and is powered by a 1 GHz single-core CPU and 512 MB of RAM. The 5" screen has 5-point capacitive multi-touch capability and pixel dimensions of 800x480, which has become the de-facto standard in most low-cost tablets and smartphones. As a smartphone, it features two GSM SIM slots, and it has 3G capability — although it is not clear yet whether the high-speed data option is supported by both SIM cards or only one.

Internal storage is a paltry 4 GB, but Zync does try to make amends by providing a free 4 GB microSD card, which can be replaced by up to 32 GB. The Cloud Z5 also features an 8 mp rear and a 0.3 mp front camera. Here are the complete specifications:

• Dual-SIM, GSM 2G (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), WCDMA 3G 2100 MHz.
• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google Play.
• Apps: Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Aldiko e-Book Reader, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,Whatsapp, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype with video calling, Google Maps, Zomato, Big Flix,Bollywood Hungama, Daily Horoscope, Picasa, Office Suite compatible with MS Word, Excel,PowerPoint).
• Games: Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, ibibo Games.
• 1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of DDR3 RAM.
• 4 GB internal storage, 4 GB microSD provided, 32 GB microSD supported.
• 5" TFT LCD 5-point capacitive multi-touch screen with pixel dimensions of 800x480.
• 8 megapixel rear and 0.3 megapixel front cameras.
• Wi-Fi  802.11 b/g, Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, FM radio.
• Micro-USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers, built-in microphone, No HDMI.
• Accelerometer, Gravity sensor.
• Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC.
• Video Formats: MP4, DivX, Xvid, FLV, MKV.
• 2500 mAh Li-ion battery, power backup duration not specified.
• 5.7" (l) x 3" (w) x 0.3" (7 mm) (d), 192 grams.
• Available Colours: Black.
• Package Contents: Handset, battery, screen guard, earphones, 4 GB microSD card, micro-USB data cable, charger, leather pouch, user manual, warranty card.

The low RAM is likely to result in performance issues. We are also not sure if a single-core CPU will be able to run ICS smoothly. Like other phablets, the Cloud Z5 does not feature an HDMI port, which would have allowed playback of HD movies on a large screen. (An HDMI port would also help differentiate the Cloud Z5 from the rest of the bunch.)

Thankfully, Google Play store is supported, so you can install a multitude of apps and games, in addition to the (many) pre-installed ones — including office productivity apps as well as social networking, IM, games, and entertainment applications. You get a free subscription to BIGFlix, but the duration hasn't yet been specified. Adobe Flash support allows you to watch streaming online videos.

The Zync Cloud Z5 is available in a black casing with textured finish at an MRP of Rs 12,000, which is higher than that of competing phablets. You can get it for a lot cheaper at Snapdeal.com for Rs 9500.