The Zen Cinemax Prime is an entry-level smartphone that runs on a Spreadtrum SC9850 chipset and Android 7.0 Nougat. With just 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, a major pain point highlighted in user reviews on sites like Flipkart and tech blogs was its extremely sluggish performance during multitasking. Users reported that the phone would become very laggy with just a few applications running in the background, a typical issue for devices with such limited memory. Flashing the official stock firmware is the most effective method to restore the device’s original performance by providing a clean, lightweight operating system free from any data corruption or clutter that slows it down.
Zen Cinemax Prime Firmware Details
| Device Name | Zen Cinemax Prime |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9850 |
| Android Version | 7.0 Nougat |
| Firmware Version | V5.0 |
| Build Date | March 28, 2018 |
| File Size | 1.13 GB |
| File Type | .pac (for SPD Upgrade Tool) |
| Flashing Tool | SPD Upgrade Tool / ResearchDownload |
Download Official Firmware for Zen Cinemax Prime
Size: 1.13 GB
Build Date: March 28, 2018
Chipset: Spreadtrum (SPD)
Android Version: 7.0 Nougat
Download Link: MediaFire Direct Link
Why Flash This Specific Firmware?
- Fix Severe Lag and Unresponsiveness: This is the primary reason to flash. Due to its 1GB of RAM, the device is prone to extreme slowdowns. A full firmware flash cleans the internal storage and reinstalls a fresh, optimized system, restoring its original speed.
- Resolve Bootloop or “Hang on Logo”: If your Cinemax Prime is stuck on the Zen logo and will not boot into the Android system, flashing this official
.pacfile is the standard method to unbrick the device. - Remove Viruses and FRP Lock: This firmware can be used to completely remove any malware or adware. It is also a necessary step for bypassing the Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) lock after performing a hard reset, as shown in YouTube repair guides.
- Restore Network and IMEI: In cases where the phone has lost its network signal or shows an invalid IMEI after a software error, flashing the stock ROM can restore the original modem and NVRAM files, fixing connectivity issues.
Some of the Bug / Firmware Fixes
- Firmware V5.0 (Mar 28, 2018): This factory build is optimized for the low-RAM environment, ensuring the best possible multitasking performance and addressing the severe lag reported by users.
- Restores the original bootloader and system image, fixing the software corruption that commonly leads to a device getting stuck in a bootloop.
- Corrects power management configurations to improve battery life and reduce idle drain.
- Reinstalls a clean version of the Android 7.0 system, free from any third-party apps or malware that might have been causing issues.
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 Cinemax Prime requires the SPD Upgrade Tool. Follow these steps:
- Download and extract the firmware
Zen_Cinemax_Prime_..._SPD.zipfile 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
.pacfile. - After the file loads successfully, click the play icon (“Start Downloading”).
- Power off your Zen Cinemax Prime 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.