The Zen Desire is an ultra-budget smartphone that runs on a Spreadtrum SC7731C chipset and Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its most significant hardware limitation is having only 512MB of RAM, which led to the most prevalent user complaint across Indian e-commerce sites like Flipkart: a severe and constant hanging problem. Users reported that the phone would become almost unusable with just one or two applications running. This extreme lag is a direct result of insufficient memory. Flashing the official stock firmware is the most effective solution, as it provides a clean, lightweight operating system, free from the data corruption that cripples such a low-spec device.
Zen Desire Firmware Details
Device Name | Zen Desire |
---|---|
Chipset | Spreadtrum SC7731C |
Android Version | 5.1 Lollipop |
Firmware Version | V11.0 |
Build Date | July 7, 2016 |
File Size | 630 MB |
File Type | .pac (for SPD Upgrade Tool) |
Flashing Tool | SPD Upgrade Tool / ResearchDownload |
Download Official Firmware for Zen Desire
Size: 630 MB
Build Date: July 7, 2016
Chipset: Spreadtrum (SPD)
Android Version: 5.1 Lollipop
Download Link: MediaFire Direct Link
Why Flash This Specific Firmware?
- Fix Severe Hanging and Lag: This is the most critical reason to flash. By reinstalling a clean, optimized OS, this firmware frees up the extremely limited 512MB of RAM, making the phone responsive enough for basic tasks again.
- Resolve Bootloop or “Hang on Logo”: If your Zen Desire is stuck on the Zen logo and will not boot, flashing this official
.pac
file is the standard and most reliable method to fix the corrupted software. - Address Poor Battery Life: User reviews frequently mention very poor battery backup. This stock ROM restores the original power management profiles, fixing software bugs that cause the 1600mAh battery to drain too quickly.
Some of the Bug / Firmware Fixes
- Firmware V11.0 (July 07, 2016): This factory build is specifically optimized for the ultra-low 512MB RAM environment. It addresses the poor memory management that causes the severe hanging and unresponsiveness reported by users.
- Restores the original, lightweight system files, which fixes the software corruption that leads to the device freezing or getting stuck in a bootloop.
- Contains the original power management configurations to maximize the efficiency of the small 1600mAh battery, directly tackling the poor battery backup complaints.
- Reinstalls the original modem files, which can help improve the stability of the 3G network connection.
Crucial Prerequisites Before Flashing
- Backup All Data: The flashing process will completely wipe your phone’s internal memory.
- Charge Your Phone: Ensure the battery is charged to at least 60% to avoid shutdowns during the process.
- Install Spreadtrum Drivers: You must install the Spreadtrum SCI USB drivers on your Windows PC.
- Download the Flashing Tool: You will need the SPD Upgrade Tool.
- Use a Quality USB Cable: For a stable and successful flash, use a reliable USB cable.
How to Flash the Firmware
Flashing the .pac
firmware onto your Zen Desire requires the SPD Upgrade Tool. Follow these steps:
- Download and extract the firmware
Zen_Desire_..._SPD.zip
file on your computer. - Launch the SPD Upgrade Tool application.
- Click the single gear icon (“Load Packet”) and navigate to the extracted firmware folder to select the
.pac
file. - After the file loads successfully, click the play icon (“Start Downloading”).
- Power off your Zen Desire completely.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button, and while holding it, connect the phone to your computer via USB.
- The tool will detect the device and the flashing process will begin automatically. You can release the volume button once you see a progress bar.
- Wait for the process to finish, which will be confirmed with a green “Passed” message in the tool.
- Disconnect the phone and power it on. The first boot may take up to 10 minutes.
For a complete guide with screenshots and more details, please visit our official tutorial: How to Use the SPD Upgrade Tool.