Where is the camera on ZTE’s latest phone?


zte no camera

TENAA has once again provided leaked details of an upcoming phone, but this ZTE lacks a feature every Android Smartphone should have.

The ZTE S3003 is an unremarkable device. The 5-inch phones has a HD resolution screen, 1GB RAM, and just 8GB memory. The alloy chassis is slim but there really is nothing out of the ordinary on the phone, well expect for the lack of rear camera!

The device passed it’s the TENAA approval process on the 16th of the month, and images of the phones show a slim design, dual SIM support and a couple of physical buttons on one side.

Where a rear camera should be there is nothing. There are no tell-tale signs of a moving camera pod, or pop out camera element anywhere in the design. So what have ZTE got here? have they created a way to side the camera behind a panel similar to how a one way mirror might work, or have they really gone ahead and created a phone with no camera?

If the latter is the case it might be that the ZTE S3003 is designed for internal government use where a camera phone would be a security threat. What do you make of this device? Would you ever want a smartphone that lacked a camera?

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

Previous DOOGEE HOMTOM HT6 and HT5 major on battery life, up for pre-order on September 24th
Next Xiaomi finally ditch their traditional packaging with the Xiaomi Mi4c

32 Comments

  1. Burs
    September 20, 2015

    Well, if I had to choose between a protruding camera and no camera at all, I choose the latter 🙂 Anyways, I’m just imagining my friend’s reaction to a “camera-less” phone. A phone without camera is not a phone lol! On the other hand, how would we react 15 years ago? “Yes… And?!” 🙂

    • Tajwar
      September 20, 2015

      A phone without a camera is still a comunication device.

      LOL

      • egis
        September 21, 2015

        …just that but not a smartphone anymore

        • Bob Loblaw
          September 21, 2015

          a camera is not a requirement for a smartphone.

        • Tajwar
          September 21, 2015

          Right on point

      • Burs
        September 21, 2015

        Yes, technically. But by today’s standard, it’s a half-product IMHO 🙂 On top of that, video calls are also way of communicating, which would not be possible without camera. So, less communication possibilities 🙂

  2. FlashTec
    September 20, 2015

    I believe it might have to do with security as mentioned in the text but I guess it could also be a phone that is gonna be superbudget

  3. Burs
    September 20, 2015

    Well, if I had to choose between a protruding camera and no camera at all, I choose the latter 🙂 Anyways, I’m just imagining my friend’s reaction to a “camera-less” phone. A phone without camera is not a phone lol! On the other hand, how would we react 15 years ago? “Yes… And?!” 🙂

    • Tajwar
      September 20, 2015

      A phone without a camera is still a comunication device.

      LOL

    • Guest
      September 21, 2015

      …just that but not a smartphone anymore

    • Bob Loblaw
      September 21, 2015

      a camera is not a requirement for a smartphone.

    • Burs
      September 21, 2015

      Yes, technically. But by today’s standard, it’s a half-product IMHO 🙂 On top of that, video calls are also way of communicating, which would not be possible without camera. So, less communication possibilities 🙂

    • Tajwar
      September 21, 2015

      Right on point

  4. FlashTec
    September 20, 2015

    I believe it might have to do with security as mentioned in the text but I guess it could also be a phone that is gonna be superbudget

  5. balcobomber25
    September 20, 2015

    Ultimate disaster.

    • Bob Loblaw
      September 21, 2015

      maybe you should read more than just one paragraph…the last part makes a lot of sense.

      • balcobomber25
        September 21, 2015

        I read the entire thing, along with the “might be” that you are speaking of. Until it is confirmed that is what is for and not just speculation this phone is a disaster. Even if it is for government sales it still could be a disaster.

  6. Dante
    September 20, 2015

    There must be a trick – i can clearly see that there is a big ridge on the upper side – so it must rotate – Lol strange design

    • hariz
      September 21, 2015

      I don’t think so…it is for the 3.5 mm headphone jack

      • Dante
        September 21, 2015

        I mean like the upper “line you see” -_-

  7. balcobomber25
    September 20, 2015

    Ultimate disaster.

    • Bob Loblaw
      September 21, 2015

      maybe you should read more than just one paragraph…the last part makes a lot of sense.

    • balcobomber25
      September 21, 2015

      I read the entire thing, along with the “might be” that you are speaking of. Until it is confirmed that is what is for and not just speculation this phone is a disaster. Even if it is for government sales it still could be a disaster.

  8. Tajwar
    September 20, 2015

    Who need’s a camera? do you?

  9. Dante
    September 20, 2015

    There must be a trick – i can clearly see that there is a big ridge on the upper side – so it must rotate – Lol strange design

    • Guest
      September 21, 2015

      I don’t think so…it is for the 3.5 mm headphone jack

    • Dante
      September 21, 2015

      I mean like the upper “line you see” -_-

  10. Tajwar
    September 20, 2015

    Who need’s a camera? do you?

  11. nilinaxolotl
    September 21, 2015

    What if the camera is actually there? You need to slide it open like Sony Cybershot C902.

    • MSi_GS70
      September 21, 2015

      Or you have to remove back cover 🙂

  12. nilinaxolotl
    September 21, 2015

    What if the camera is actually there? You need to slide it open like Sony Cybershot C902.

  13. Guest
    March 3, 2018

    Where to buy it?