ZTE S302 review

Network and connections
Vodacom is launching a truly simple device on the South African market, with no additional functions beyond the essentials for telephony. This ZTE S302's network receiver is a GSM Dualband, to make use of the 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies. Nothing else can be found in this original yet easy-to-use phone. It is therefore not possible to browse the Web or make use of additional network services. There is no data transfer service such as Bluetooth or USB.

Design and features
Just one glance is enough to tell how basic this ZTE S302 is, simple and limited in its functionality. The Candybar body is compact and sturdy, with a thickness of 15 mm and a weight of just 79 grams. The front houses the small 128x48 pixel monochrome display. It's unthinkable to display images or multimedia content: but that's certainly not the purpose of this phone. The keypad, on the other hand, takes up almost all of the remaining space. The keys are decidedly large, square, and feature stylized symbols. There's a choice of 3 colors, namely black, white, and orange.

Main features
As already widely repeated, the S302 is as much a phone as it is essential. There are therefore no particular features, aside from support for writing SMS and the phonebook for managing contacts. Another accessory function lies in the ability to set an alarm as a wake-up call. Worth noting is the ability to assign a phone number to the SOS button, to be used for a quick call in case of emergency. This suggests a likely user segment such as the elderly. As for calls, only standard ones are allowed, without the aid of any particular voice functions.

Entertainment and multimedia
This segment of features certainly can't be explored in depth, as there's nothing to discuss. The ZTE S302 does not offer the ability to play audio or video files, as it lacks a multimedia player. There is no digital camera, so no photographs. However, the device can be used to listen to AM/FM radio frequencies, providing at least one entertainment tool for free moments. Apparently, the 1000 mAh battery should ensure good operating autonomy, given the low power consumption due to the device's simplicity.