ZTE phones are known as go-to budget phones with the snug of premium phones. Since 2018, the brand has been under fire in the United States but that didn’t stop the brand from growing and continuing to provide consumers with great budget phones. Bad news aside, ZTE phones are still well received by the tech community mainly due to their design, specs, and functionality.
In this list, we’ll be looking at some of the best ZTE phones that you should consider getting now.
The Best ZTE Phones to Get
ZTE is one of the most impressive phone brands in the market today. As mentioned, their devices are well-received in the tech community because of the impeccable specs that they deliver. However, ZTE phones are not as easy to come by as other phone brands.
While it’s ban has been lifted in 2018, purchasing ZTE phones have become harder for consumers. While you can easily purchase them from mobile carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile, these devices are usually outdated. Nonetheless, they can still provide you with the basic functions that you need from a smartphone. You can, of course, try your luck with purchasing them from sites such as Amazon but there’s no guarantee that you’ll be getting the latest models.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the best ZTE phones that are available on Amazon. If you’re looking to get a ZTE phone, you can just breeze through this list to find a device that works best for you.
Without further ado, here are some of the best ZTE phones that you can buy now.
Kicking-off this list of the best ZTE phones is the ZTE Blade Spark Z971, a comparatively cheap phone. While it might be outdated for most users, it still provides quality performance despite its $99 price tag. With this phone, you can expect to get as long as 17.4 hours of battery life on normal usage and 240 hours of standby time before you need to plug it in. It’s a pretty straightforward phone that gives you aspects to all the basic features without the fuss of more updated phones. However, if you’re looking for a more advanced phone, you might want to skip this one because this phone was originally released in 2017 and isn’t likely to have features that most updated smartphones have.
Your best bet at one of ZTE’s latest models is the ZTE Blade A5 2020. It’s built with a 6.09-in. edge-to-edge HD+ display and that’s great for streaming your favorite shows. Further, it also runs on Android 9 which makes it more compatible with most apps and games in the market today. Just remember to keep the phone at moderate usage so that it doesn’t slow down too much.
Additionally, you can take better photos with this phone as it sports an 8MP front camera and two rear cameras (13MP AF + 2MP FF) that’s enough to deliver great photos.
If you’re looking to switch things up a bit, you might want to try the ZTE Axon M Z999. The phone comes with not just one but two screens that allow for easier multi-tasking. With this phone, you’re getting two identical 5.2-in. full HD screens that will allow you to stream your favorite videos while you’re working or playing a game. It’s easily a dream phone for those who like to have that work and play balance without having to use two devices.
The downfalls that you might experience from this phone are that it only has one 20MP camera and it runs on Android 7, which is a bit outdated for an OS.
Up next is the ZTE Blade Max 2S. While it’s still not as updated as most mobile users of today might like, it’s still one step above the Blade Spark Z971. It has relatively simple features and storage that is subpar with only 32GB of internal storage but do remember that this phone isn’t built to support heavy usage. While you might not be able to download big games on it, you’ll still be able to download your favorite shows and stream your favorite tunes. What’s great about this phone is its battery performance that can go up to 235 hours on standby.
Do note that if you’re a fan of taking photos and selfies, this phone might not be for you as it only sports a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera which won’t provide the best photo quality.
The ZTE Blade V8 Pro is a mid-range phone that runs on Android 6. It features a 5.5-in. screen that’s covered with Gorilla Glass, making it safe from small drops. It’s also equipped with a fingerprint sensor which earns it a plus point. Further, the device also works faster and smoother with moderate use. The ZTE Blade V8 Pro runs on 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage with an expandable 256GB of storage which makes it a great option in terms of storage.
The biggest issue that users might encounter with the phone is its camera. It has a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera that, while it works just as well, might not be up to the standards of users today.
The ZTE Axon 7 Mini is a great value phone if you’re looking for something that’s up to par with the ZTE Axon 7. The phone is relatively small with a 5.2-in. display, making it ideal if you’re not fond of bigger screens. The device runs on Android 6 but can be upgraded to Android 7 which isn’t all that bad. Additionally, the phone also comes with Gorilla Glass which is a standard in most phones today.
The phone runs on pretty basic storage with 3GM RAM which is enough to make your phone run decently. It has 32GB of internal memory that can be expanded to 256GB, making it more functional. Make sure to keep an eye on the battery though as it can easily get drained, especially if you’re using your device to play mobile games.
If you’re more of a gamer, the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 3 is ZTE’s entry into gaming phones. The device is part of ZTE’s Nubia series that’s dedicated to providing users with quality phones that can be used for gaming without having to worry about the downsides that usually come with using regular smartphones.
Apart from a built-in cooling fan, the Nubia Red Magic 3 runs on Android 9, the Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855, and a powerful Octa-core processor that will ensure all your games run smoothly. Additionally, the phone also has stereo loudspeakers, a 48MP HD rear camera, and a 16MP front camera.
The ZTE Maven 3 runs on Android 7 and isn’t a phone that you can expect much from. It’s more of an average phone that you can use if you’re looking for one that can be used for business or for mainly making calls and messaging. The device only has 1GB RAM, 8GB of internal memory that’s expandable up to 32GB which isn’t exactly ideal if you plan on using the phone for more heavy-duty work.
Essentially, the phone is only good for basic functions and the occasional streaming of videos. But bear in mind that since the phone runs on a minimal amount of RAM, it will slow down easily.
Next is the ZTE ZMax Pro is a bit more promising when it comes to providing an HD display. The device has a 6-in. display and a 1920 x 1080 HD view that’s great for streaming your favorite shows. It’s 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM that’s expandable up to 128GB might make it a bit subpar compared to other models but it’s a great device to have if you’re looking for a phone that provides a great display while streaming.
Additionally, the ZMax Pro also has a handy noise-cancellation mic that will allow you to converse with your peers over the phone with minimal ambient noise.
ZTE Z Max 2
Finally, the ZTE Z Max 2 is more on the basic side of the spectrum when it comes to its features. While it’s good for streaming and performing basic phone functions, it runs on Android 5 and a basic processor which isn’t ideal if you’re on the market for a phone that can handle heavy-duty functions. The memory is also small as it comes with only 2GB RAM and 8GB ROM that’s expandable up to 64GB.
It’s a phone that’s more fitting if you’re looking for one that you can solely use for business or communication purposes. Otherwise, you might want to consider getting a different model.
What Makes ZTE Phones Good?
There are a couple of things that make ZTE phones good. While the brand isn’t as famous as other brands in the market because of the lack of representation, there is still a community of users who prefer to get ZTE phones than phones from other brands.
Here’s a quick rundown of three factors that make ZTE phones good.
Specs
The latest ZTE phones will have better specs than the models in this list. Models such as the ZTE Axon 20 and the ZTE Blade 10 Smart are more equipped, in terms of specs and features, to meet the demands of today’s consumers. However, that isn’t to say that the phones on this list aren’t as competitive. Despite some of them being older models, you can expect that their features are still up to par with other smartphones of the same range. They may not be as updated but they are still usable and functional.
Design
Another factor that makes ZTE phones good is the design. Most smartphones today have similarities when it comes to design and ZTE phones, regardless of their model, meets the standards of a quality smartphone design. Their phones are not only equipped with Gorilla Glass but they are also comfortable to use despite their size. You won’t have trouble with carrying the phone or be at risk of dropping it with most ZTE phones as they are designed to be comfy to hold and to have a better grip.
Affordability
Compared to other brands in the market, ZTE has a great line of affordable phones. You can get a phone from them for as low as $90 and you’ll still be able to have a reliable device at the price. Most of ZTE’s phones, even the latest models, are quite budget-friendly as compared to other brands — making it a great option for those who are looking to purchase a phone without shelling out too much cash.
What OS Does ZTE Phones Use?
Most ZTE phones that you can find on Amazon and their latest models run on the Android Operating System. Some of the latest models of ZTE phones such as the ZTE Blade V 2020 and the ZTE Axon 11 (both of which are not available on Amazon) run on Android 10.
ZTE did have a short run with Firefox OS back in 2013. They released a product line called ZTE Open that ran on Firefox OS. As of 2015, Firefox OS has been discontinued and ZTE Open phones can no longer be purchased.
Alternatively, you can also use open-source operating systems such as Lineage OS to run your phone. This will make your phone more powerful and more customizable. This OS also breathes new life into older models and will make them more functional.
Pros and Cons of ZTE Phones
While ZTE phones are great to have, easy-to-use, and functional, it’s not entirely perfect. The brand itself has its beauty to it but ultimately it’s not a brand that will work with most people.
If you have your eyes set on getting a ZTE phone, here are some pros and cons that are worth keeping in mind before you add one to your cart.
Adore
- Competitive specs
- Great features
- Budget-friendly
- Noteworthy design
Against
- The latest models are not available on Amazon US
- Phones available on Amazon might not have a US warranty
- ZTE phones can be hard to get depending on your location
- Some ZTE phones are not compatible with some mobile carriers in the US
Wrap-Up
ZTE phones, at present, are a hit or miss. Since most of their latest devices are not available in the United States and some parts of Europe, it’s difficult to get a hold of them which might lead you to purchase some of their older models. While the older models are great to have, some of them aren’t as good as their latest models. As such, you might want to check out other brands on the same level as ZTE if you’re looking to get more upgraded phones since they might have more phones available in the market today.
