When ditching your contract in favor of a month-to-month approach, the most difficult aspect is finding a decent handset that won't cost you an arm and a leg to buy outright. With that in mind, ZTE is introducing two handsets in the United States that might just fit this bill.
So what kind of specs do the Chinese handsets bring to the table? They are both actually very similar and feature a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPUs, 2GB RAm, 16GB storage and the same 13MP rear cam with a 2MP front cam. They also both come standard with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and have 5-inch displays with a resolution of 1920 x 1080.
The big difference is the size of the device, and the battery inside. The Nubia 5 comes in at 5.43 x 2.71 x 0.30 and is equipped with a 2,300 mAh battery. As for the Grand S, you get a thinner handset coming in at 5.59 x 2.72 x .27, but there's also a much smaller 1,780 mAh battery.
Another difference between the devices is that the Nubia 5 has glowing red buttons on a matte finish, which helps cosmetically set it apart from the ZTE Grand S. Beyond that, the Nubia 5 is also said to have improved camera software with its "Pro Mode", which includes four-direction panoramic shooting and burst mode for continuous shots.
So are ZTE's latest handsets worth it? While the Snapdragon S4 Pro isn’t going to blow anyone away at this point, both the Nubia 5 and Grand S are solid devices that should still perform reasonably well and will provide a solid Android experience.
The biggest downside is the lack of LTE and the fact the phones are rocking the aging Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Bottom-line, if you don't mind using an older version of Android and aren't in an LTE market, ZTE's new handsets could certainly be worth your consideration.
ZTE's Grand S™ Makes a Grand Entrance in the U.S.
Available for Preorder Oct 5, ZTE's Slimmest Smartphone is Elegant, Stylish and Open
RICHARDSON, Texas, October 3, 2013 – ZTE USA, the fastest-growing smartphone provider in the United States, today announced the U.S. pricing and availability of the award-winning Grand S, a beautifully-crafted smartphone decorated with the 2013 iF International Design Award.
First introduced globally at CES 2013, the 0.27-inch Grand S is ZTE's slimmest smartphone available in the United States, and is compatible for use with GSM/UMTS carriers. The phone is available for preorder on Saturday, October 5 with an MSRP of $399.99, through Amazon and other channels.
With a large, eye-catching five-inch display and 13 megapixel camera, the Grand S caters to today's design-conscious consumer by providing the perfect combination of aesthetics and technology. Its quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and use of several MiFavor applications designed by ZTE provide the brains behind the elegant uni-body design, capturing true user demands.
"For many consumers, technology and design are inseparable. Today's higher-end smartphones must be both physically and emotionally compelling, and the Grand S offers this winning combination of form and function," said Lixin Cheng, Chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. "We've been looking forward to bringing the Grand S to the U.S. since we announced the device at CES. Our goal is to launch more products like this in the future."
ZTE Grand S technical specifications include:
OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Display: 5" FHD (1920 x 1080), 440 ppi with scratch-resistant glass
Processor: Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz quad-core CPUs
Cameras: 13 megapixels Auto Focus with Flash, and 2 megapixels Front Facing camera
Battery: 1780 mAH
Dimensions: 5.59" x 2.72" x 0.27"
Memory: 16GB in ROM, 2 GB in RAM
For additional information on the ZTE Grand S features, please visit http://www.zteusa.com/grands.html.
The ZTE nubia 5™ Packs Advanced Photography and Entertainment Into the Palm of Your Hand
Available for Preorder Oct 5, ZTE's nubia 5 Features Full HD Display, Dolby Digital Plus, and a 13MP Camera
RICHARDSON, Texas, October 3, 2013 – ZTE USA, the fastest-growing smartphone provider in the United States, today announces the U.S. pricing and availability of ZTE nubia 5™, a high-end smartphone packing entertainment and performance into an approachable industrial profile. The ZTE nubia 5 is compatible with GSM/UMTS carriers, and is available for preorder on Saturday, October 5 with an MSRP of $449.99, through Amazon and other channels.
Whether you're a photo enthusiast looking to capture and edit amazing pictures using a 13 megapixel camera with a Konica-Minolta lens and intelligent stabilization, an always-on road warrior looking to stay connected via countless apps, or an audiophile looking to plug into Digital Dolby Plus audio with specially-designed earbuds, the ZTE nubia 5 packs a punch. With a low-profile bezel, matte finish and glowing red custom fixed buttons complementing the industrial design, the ZTE nubia 5 creates a mobile experience unlike any other Android smartphone.
"As the software and apps available on today's smartphones replace more and more of the other devices we use on a daily basis, the specifications for features like cameras, displays and speakers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The nubia 5 really pushes that trend further," said Lixin Cheng, Chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. "Moreover, the launch of the ZTE nubia 5 builds on our ongoing commitment to the U.S. ZTE will be working closely with our customers to make devices like this available in the U.S."
The nubia 5 offers one of the most versatile smartphone photography experiences available through three photography modes – Fun Mode, Auto Mode and Pro Mode. Fun Mode is for taking quick snapshots and applying filters, while Auto Mode provides a step up in features, like smile recognition and HDR. Lastly, Pro Mode brings the core functions of a professional SLR into the phone through features like 4-direction panoramic shooting, burst mode continuous shooting, and putting control of light, focus, and gradient into the user's hands.
ZTE nubia 5 technical specifications include:
OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Display: 5" FHD 16.7M Color 1920 x 1080, 443PPi
Processor: Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz quad-core CPUs
Cameras: Konica-Minolta 13 MP Auto Focus with LED Flash and Sapphire Lens, and 2 MP Front Facing camera
Battery: 2300 mAH
Dimensions: 5.43" x 2.71" x 0.30"
Memory: 16GB in ROM, 2 GB in RAM
For additional information on the ZTE nubia 5, please visit http://www.zteusa.com/nubia5.html.
