Amazon's Upcoming 3D Smartphone Could Change the Way Items are Viewed and Sold Online

Amazon is reportedly working on releasing a smartphone that will be capable of displaying stunning 3D images without the user having to wear special glasses or a headset.

While some skeptics are calling the feature "gimmicky," others see it as a legitimate way for Amazon to help its sellers improve the aesthetic appeal of their product listings, which could turn into a win-win situation for the mega e-tailer.

Imagine going shopping for a piece of furniture online and viewing the product exactly how it would look in person. This would not only increase interest in a large number of products, it could also greatly boost Amazon's brand popularity even higher than it already is.

Specs Mediocre but Will the Camera Make Up For It?

Unfortunately, other than 3D imaging capabilities the specs we've heard about thus far have been rather unimpressive.

While it will run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (the exact model and speed of which has not yet been specified) it is supposedly going to have only 2GB of RAM and it will run on a modified version of the Android operating system- similar to the one that powers the Kindle Fire tablets.

Furthermore, the display size is only 4.7 inches, which pales in comparison to the 5 inch screens that have become the norm for today's flagship mobile devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Not only is the display smaller, it is also expected to have a lower resolution at only 720p in comparison to full 1080p HD. 

However, one positive side is that rumors suggest it will have a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, which is really not too shabby.

So are the 3D Imaging Features Just a Gimmick?

Given the fact that the rest of the phone is not that special spec-wise, it would be odd if the 3D imaging capabilities prove to be a letdown as well.

Logically it would be safe to assume that Amazon is banking on the 3D features to compensate for all of the phone's other comparative shortcomings.

Other than that, we should expect Amazon to live up to its brand reputation as usual, and most tech analysts believe that the massively successful eCommerce giant would not invest so much product development into a mere gimmick.

What 3D Capabilities Will the Phone Have?

Although at the moment much of the information surrounding the new phone is derived from rumors and speculation, images of the phone have been leaked, so we do know that there will be 4 additional lenses on the phone.

Of course, there have been many suggestions leading towards the possibility of 3D playback and photo display, but it is yet to be seen whether this will be delivered via some fascinating new technology or a small twist on an existing technology.

Given the fact that Amazon's primary mission is to sell more goods online, it would make sense that the company would be working to give its sellers a convenient mobile photography tool that could be used to make listings more appealing.