Gadget

*A review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The Chinese company ZTE has stopped the production of smartphones. This step was forced by the US government, which banned this company from ordering American processors. However, sanctions cannot last forever. And devices under the ZTE brand, which were released before the spring of 2018, have not gone away from store shelves. In this regard, we see the point in the story of the best ZTE smartphones, the purchase of which should not disappoint.

Rating of the best ZTE smartphones

ZTE Nubia Z17S 8/128GB

Rating: 4.7

The most advanced smartphone among those released by the Chinese company ZTE. This device belongs to the frameless type. This means that the screen here reaches the side ends — there are frames only on the top and bottom sides. This made it possible to make a device with a 5.73-inch display quite compact. Most of the operations can be performed with the thumb without involving the second hand to help. At the same time, the screen is created using IPS technology, which indicates the maximum viewing angles. The display resolution is 2040×1080 pixels. There is no question of any pixelation, it can only be seen with a magnifying glass. Well, the Android 7.1 operating system is responsible for what is happening on the screen. Unfortunately, its update will definitely not take place, which is due to the cessation of the activity of the ZTE mobile division. However, in any case, this version will not become obsolete for at least three years.

Like the vast majority of Chinese smartphones, Nubia Z17S is capable of taking on board a pair of SIM cards. With their help, not only conversation, but also data transfer can be carried out. At the same time, the product supports LTE-A, so the user will enjoy a high speed Internet connection. Also among the wireless modules present here are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1. You can even replace a bank card with a smartphone, for which an NFC chip is used. Does not have any problems and the GPS-chip that supports two types of navigation satellites. However, how could it be otherwise with such a high cost of the device?

Nothing bad can be said about the rest of the components of the smartphone. For example, the rear camera is close to ideal here. It is double, and its matrices have a resolution of 12 and 23 megapixels. The aperture is opened to f / 1.8, which allows us to hope for chic image quality even in the dark. Best of all, this camera manages to take portrait photos, blurring the background beautifully. The Chinese manufacturer did not save on the front camera either — a double module is also used here. Under the lenses are 5-megapixel sensors. The optics have a different focal length, as a result of which you can use the zoom when taking a selfie.

If we talk about the processor, then the top Snapdragon 835 is installed here. The power of this eight-core chipset, together with the Adreno 540 graphics accelerator, is enough for absolutely any games, not to mention applications. Even under the body of the Nubia Z17S, there are 128 GB of permanent memory and 8 GB of RAM. Against this background, you do not regret at all that the Chinese have deprived their creation of a slot for a microSD card. Well, autonomous work of all this goodness is provided by a battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh. Of course, there is also support for fast charging technology.

ZTE Nubia Z17 mini 6/64GB

Rating: 4.7

Another smartphone in our ranking, which can be called frameless. But only conditionally — the side frames are still present here, even if they are not visible at certain angles. Also, the area above and below the display has been significantly increased. It was impossible to avoid this, because the manufacturer tried to reduce the dimensions of the device. He installed here only a 5.2-inch display, which greatly simplifies the management of the operating system and various applications. The screen resolution is 1920×1080 pixels. With such a small diagonal, this resulted in a pixel density of 424 PPI. Great result!

In some respects, this device is close to the flagships. In particular, it is unlikely that the buyer will be disappointed in the rear camera. It consists of a double module, under the lenses of which 13-megapixel matrices are hidden. At the same time, one of the sensors is supplemented with optical stabilization, thanks to which the shutter speed can become very long. And it will be made as such, because the aperture here is only open up to f / 2.2. It should be noted that the camera can easily cope with 4K video recording. However, if you get carried away with it, you will need to install a memory card, because the amount of built-in storage does not exceed 64 GB. We have no complaints about the front camera, the matrix of which has a resolution of 16 megapixels.

Of course, such a device cannot have outdated means of communication. The Chinese have built in their best practices here — Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and LTE. They also did not forget the NFC chip, which will most often be used to pay for purchases.

The processor here is an eight-core Snapdragon 653, supplemented by an Adreno 510 graphics accelerator. It seems that their power will be enough for most applications and games. 6 GB of RAM should also please. The product also included a battery with a capacity of 2950 mAh — the maximum for such dimensions.

ZTE Nubia M2 64GB

Rating: 4.6

This smartphone, which exists in two color options, belongs to the mid-budget price segment. You can buy this model for 13 thousand rubles. While it is possible, because the store shelves are not replenished with new copies. The device differs from analogues in its 5.5-inch display. No, its resolution is not surprising — it is 1920×1080 pixels. But if you look at the screen in the dark, you will immediately notice that black colors are practically invisible to the eyes. This suggests that the display is made using OLED technology — that is, there is no separate backlit layer here. Previously, such screens in inexpensive smartphones were extremely rare. Another product is able to boast of a very narrow frame, which made the device quite compact. Well, what is happening on the display is handled by the Android 6.0 operating system. Unfortunately, it will never be updated again. But the most frustrating thing is the implementation of the firmware. A large number of untranslated lines of text and various glitches are not what the buyer of such a smartphone is waiting for. All sorts of slowdowns are even more surprising when you find out about the presence of a Snapdragon 625 processor, consisting of eight cores, under the case. Also, the device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. There is also a slot for a memory card. The manufacturer claims that the system recognizes external drives up to 200 GB.

Basically, this device is bought for the sake of its cameras. Perhaps, in this price segment, a rare device is able to boast of better shooting. The Chinese have introduced a dual rear camera here, under which 13-megapixel sensors are hidden. Only the aperture is somewhat limited here — it is only open up to f / 2.2. If we talk about the front camera, then it has one lens, but the resolution of the matrix below it has been increased to 16 megapixels. It makes no sense to talk about the cameras of this model in all details — instead, you need to look at the photos, evaluating them yourself.

Everything is in order with the gadget and with wireless modules. Internet connection is via LTE and Wi-Fi. At the same time, the second module supports the high-speed 802.11ac standard, which even some more expensive smartphones cannot boast of. Sound transmission to the headset is carried out either via Bluetooth 4.1 or via a 3.5 mm audio jack. Nothing bad can be said about the navigation chip, which supports the three most popular satellite systems. Finally, there is also a fingerprint sensor that provides an excellent level of security.

ZTE Blade V8 64GB

Rating: 4.5

A solid, albeit unsurprising smartphone running Android 7.0. On its front panel there is an IPS display with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 1800×1080 pixels. The device turned out to be very compact, and the pixelation on its screen can only be distinguished under a magnifying glass.

You can watch videos on the screen of this smartphone without any problems — no discomfort is felt. This can also be done online, using support for LTE-A category 6. Also, no one forbids accessing the Internet through a router. However, remember that the Wi-Fi standard 802.11n is supported here as much as possible. However, such a smartphone does not require higher speeds. To connect a wireless headset, Bluetooth 4.1 technology is used here. The 3.5 mm audio jack has not gone anywhere, no adapter is required to connect wired headphones. It is a pity that there is no NFC here — this chip would also have taught the device the capabilities of a bank card. The operation of all wireless modules and the operating system is provided by Snapdragon 435 — an eight-core processor, complemented by an Adreno 505 graphics accelerator. The power of this chipset is low, so some games may experience problems. The capabilities of this processor will be enough for applications. In addition, the device is equipped with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. By the way, there is also a microSD card slot.

On the back of the device is a dual camera that uses matrices with a resolution of 13 and 2 megapixels. You don’t need to count on perfect shooting quality, but you definitely can’t call it lousy either. As for video shooting, it takes place with Full HD resolution. The product also included a 13-megapixel front camera and a fingerprint scanner. Under the back cover of the device is a 2730 mAh battery. They could have built in a more capacious battery here, but then the weight would definitely not have been 141 g. Namely, many smartphones from the ZTE Blade series are famous for their low weight.

ZTE Blade A6

Rating: 4.4

Another ZTE smartphone belonging to the mid-budget segment. You will spend a couple of thousand rubles less on its purchase. But you will also get a device with not the most impressive characteristics. For example, the display used here has a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Modest parameters that resulted in a pixel density of 282 PPI. But on the other hand, the Android 7.1 operating system and the Snapdragon 435 processor do not have to strain. Above the screen is a 5-megapixel front camera lens. There are not enough stars from the sky, but sometimes you still want to share the resulting selfies with friends. The easiest way to do this is through LTE-A networks. The product also supports Wi-Fi 802.11n. But the NFC chip is traditionally absent for ZTE products. Sad.

Like many other budget devices, ZTE Blade A6 has an FM radio. It only works when connected to the 3.5mm jack of wired headphones. Ordinary music can also be listened to via a wireless headset — Bluetooth 4.1 is used for this. There is also a light indicator of events — an increasingly rare guest in modern smartphones. The device also includes a rear camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels. Somewhere under the body of the smartphone are hidden 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. Some users will not even think about installing a microSD card. However, we must not forget that such an opportunity is still there.

Despite the relatively low cost, the device received a fingerprint sensor. But most of all, this model surprises with its battery. It has a capacity of 5000 mAh. A couple of days of battery life is guaranteed! But no more, since the Chinese firmware is not optimized in the best way. However, in any case, you should not worry, because there is support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology. It is also amazing that with such a capacious battery, the gadget weighs only 160 g.

ZTE Blade A330

Rating: 4.3

The cheapest smartphone in our ranking. In some stores you can buy it for only 5500 rubles. In this regard, the user will have to put up with several disadvantages. For example, the firmware installed here, based on Android 7.1, does not always work adequately. But even more disappointing is the 5-inch display. And it’s not even about the resolution, which is 854×480 pixels. Disappointing is the fact that a TN-matrix is ​​used here. This means that the buyer is waiting for very narrow viewing angles and far from ideal color reproduction.

With wireless modules, there is a relative order. The device understands LTE networks, so the user is provided with a high data transfer rate on the street. Also, the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard is recognized without any problems. The wireless headset is connected via Bluetooth 4.1. And only the absence of NFC reminds us that this is a cheap Chinese smartphone. However, this is also evidenced by a quad-core processor, the clock frequency of which is very low. A serious limitation is 1 GB of RAM. But 16 GB of internal storage for a device with such a price tag is quite normal. Moreover, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB.

It is better for the buyer not to remember the cameras. The rear module is equipped with only a 5-megapixel matrix, so it is almost impossible to get high-quality photos. Even worse is the front camera, the resolution of which is only 2 megapixels. As you might guess, there is no fingerprint sensor here at all. But then there is FM radio — an indispensable attribute of budget devices. Autonomous operation of the device is provided by a battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. This parameter surprises the most — in such a cheap gadget you do not expect such a battery at all.

Conclusion

This is the ranking of the best ZTE smartphones among those currently in existence. The list is not too big. This is due to sanctions received from the US government — as mentioned in the introduction, ZTE management has so far stopped producing such products, concentrating on telecommunications equipment for telecom operators.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.