The history of ZTE goes back to 1985. Then Zhongxing Semiconductor Co. was engaged in the production of military electronics, and no one knew that after so many years they would become one of the largest smartphone manufacturers. Even now, the company’s considerable income comes from the sale of military electronic equipment, and the company itself, moreover, belongs to the state.
The features of Chinese ZTE smartphones include high quality products, a wide range of choice: from the cheapest to the most top-end devices, as well as a reasonable price.
Let's find out which smartphone is the best in the ranking in all respects.
Smartphone lines
- Blade . This lineup is positioned as high-quality smartphones for little money, and it is so! The budget line is one of the most widespread in Russia, and its main competitor, Redmi, is right now in many ways inferior to ZTE smartphones.
- Axon . A mid-budget line, famous for its relatively low price and high-quality sound from the speakers. Also, these smartphones take excellent pictures, but they can rarely be found on the Eastern European market, because they are intended mainly for the USA.
- Nubia . Premium gadgets with the highest-end hardware and unique design are the exact characteristics of the Nubia line.
The cheapest
ZTE Blade A3 2021 NFC
- Operating system: Android 9 Go
- Processor: UNISOC SC9832E, 1.4 GHz
- Screen: 5.45 inches, IPS, 1440x720 pixels
- Battery: 2600 mAh
- RAM: 1 GB
- Built-in memory: 32 GB
Price: from 5000 rub.
The Blade A3 is one of the most affordable ZTE smartphones on the market, which limits its capabilities. Essentially, this is an entry-level phone that will appeal to those who intend to make calls, use instant messages and listen to music.
At first glance, there is nothing extraordinary here; the model still stands out from its competitors. Firstly, the device is small. Secondly, it has a removable battery and you can use two SIM cards and one memory card at the same time. Thirdly, NFC is present here. The cameras are modest - 8 and 5 megapixels, but they are quite realistic to use.
As a result, we have an inexpensive device that can be purchased for a child, an elderly person, or used as a work/temporary option.
This model exists in a version without NFC!
Advantages:
- Compact size.
- The tray is not aligned.
- Removable battery.
- Availability of NFC.
- Bright colors.
Flaws:
- Weak autonomy.
- Low RAM.
ZTE Blade 20 Smart
- Operating system: Android 9
- Processor: Helio P60, 2 GHz
- Screen: 6.49 inches, IPS, 1520x720 pixels
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- RAM: 4 GB
- Built-in memory: 128 GB
Price: from 10,700 rub.
ZTE Blade 20 Smart went on sale in early 2021. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since its release, but it can still be considered for purchase today.
The model received a standard plastic case for this price, a fairly large display with low resolution and several colors. This does not make it stand out from its competitors, but in other respects the device performs better.
It has an old but powerful processor, a large amount of memory (128 GB is very rare at this price), a decent battery with 18 W charging, and also has NFC and a modern USB-C connector. The photo is taken care of by a triple main unit - 16 + 8 + 2 megapixels and a 13 megapixel front camera. They film well, but without revelations.
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Advantages:
- Enough performance for comfortable gaming.
- Lots of memory.
- High autonomy and fast charging.
- There is NFC.
Flaws:
- The case may creak in the palm of your hand.
- Combination tray.
ZTE Blade V2020
- Operating system: Android 10
- Processor: Helio P70, 2.1 GHz
- Screen: 6.53 inches, IPS, 2340x1080 pixels
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- RAM: 4 GB
- Built-in memory: 128 GB
Price: from 14,000 rub.
Blade V2020 is an updated version of the previous device. The price here is not much higher, but the device looks more interesting.
The rear panel of the new product is not much different from its predecessor. Still a plastic body, a simpler block-shaped square camera design and a fingerprint scanner on the back. But the front end is more modern. The camera is made online, it is located in the right corner. The display here, by the way, has FHD + resolution, which, of course, is better for such a diagonal.
The phone received a more powerful processor and a similar amount of memory. No performance issues. Everything runs pretty fast and you can even run games. The battery has become simpler, but it has fast charging of 18 W. NFC was left in the phone, the tray was not changed, it is combined.
The changes affected the camera. Instead of a triple module, four sensors were installed here, with the main one being 48-megapixel. Helps him 8 + 2 + 2 MP. The set is standard: width, macro and depth for portraits. Of all four lenses, only macro performs poorly, the rest show very good results. The front camera is 16 megapixels and takes great photos.
Advantages:
- Powerful processor.
- Lots of memory.
- Beautiful exposure.
- High quality photography.
Flaws:
- Combination tray.
Buy
Best price up to 35,000 rub.
ZTE Axon 11 5G
- Operating system: Android 10
- Processor: Snapdragon 765G, 2.4 GHz
- Screen: 6.47 inches, AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 pixels
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- RAM: 6/8 GB
- Built-in memory: 128/256 GB
Price: from 27,100 rub.
The Axon 11 5G is not a flagship, as it may seem due to its belonging to the Axon line, but an intermediate device that should expand the company's line of low-cost models with 5G support.
The display is AMOLED, has a waterdrop notch for the camera and a fingerprint under the screen. It exhibits high image quality, but disappoints with a refresh rate of only 60Hz.
An interesting fact is that the Axon 11 is a fairly light and thin device - 165 grams and 7.9 mm. With such a modest size, the device did not have a capacious battery, but implemented proprietary Z-Booster 2.0 technology, which ensures economical consumption during games. There is also fast charging, which partially compensates for the modest capacity.
The modern mid-level Snapdragon 765G chipset is responsible for performance; it is already well known to the user and has proven itself positively. The memory is available in several modifications. It is also possible to expand it, but the tray is combined. Wireless modules are fully presented: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, NFC,
The main camera is equipped with 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 megapixels. They show pretty good photo quality. Front camera - 20 MP.
Advantages:
- Good performance.
- Large high quality display.
- Slim body and light weight.
- Lots of memory.
Flaws:
- The screen is only 60Hz.
- The round display is not convenient for everyone.
- N. 3.5.
Buy
ZTE Axon 20 5G
- Operating system: Android 10
- Processor: Snapdragon 765G, 2.4 GHz
- Screen: 6.92 inches, AMOLED, 2460 x 1080 pixels, 90 Hz
- Battery: 4220 mAh
- RAM: 6/8 GB
- Built-in memory: 128/256 GB
Price: from 28,900 rub.
Axon 20 5G is a very controversial smartphone from ZTE. Its main feature is that a 32-megapixel front camera is hidden under the screen. To achieve this, a set of technologies is used to avoid overloading the display with cutouts or moving modules; they simply hide the module. Sounds interesting, but there are a few issues. The software is not suitable for this solution, the camera is visible at angles, and even foams a lot, and the quality of the pictures is unlikely to please selfie lovers. Main camera 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP. The photographs on it are of good quality.
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As for the screen, it is also worth noting that it is very large, created using AMOLED technology and has a high resolution. But the brightness is modest and is not enough for many people in the sun. I'm glad that the matrix update here is 90 Hz, but for this money you can buy 120 Hz from competitors.
Otherwise, this device has typical parameters for its price. There's a powerful Snapdragon 765G and there are a few memory changes, with the main unit expanding but the tray being the same. The model supports NFC, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, has fast charging and a fingerprint under the screen. The thin 8mm body is eye-catching, but the phone itself is large, which won't appeal to everyone.
Advantages:
- Good main camera.
- High performance.
- A complete set of modern wireless modules.
- Lots of memory.
- There are interesting body colors.
- Slender body.
Flaws:
- The front camera under the screen is not implemented in the best way.
- The pictures taken with the front camera are quite soapy.
- Combination tray.
- N. 3.5.
- Screen with low brightness.
- The smartphone is excellent.
Buy
ZTE Axon 10 Pro
- Operating system: Android 9
- Processor: Snapdragon 855, 2.84 GHz
- Screen: 6.47 inches, AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 pixels
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- RAM: 6 GB
- Built-in memory: 128 GB
Price: from 30,900 rub.
The Axon 10 Pro is a 2021 flagship that has dropped quite a bit in price for 2021 and looks like a pretty cool option for the money.
The model has an all-glass body with a rounded front panel. It may not be very convenient to use, but it looks interesting. The AMOLED matrix has a high resolution and is very well configured. The latter distinguishes this smartphone from other mid-level devices with a similar display.
There is a powerful processor and not the largest, but sufficient memory. It is quite possible to run games or actively use the device; the performance is sufficient. The permanent drive expands, but the tray is aligned. The model is equipped with stereo speakers with amplifiers, has a small but durable battery and supports fast charging. There is support for NFC and 5G.
The main camera is represented by three modules: 48 + 20 + 8 MP, front – 20 MP. The quality of the images here is at the highest level, but the lack of optical stabilization is disappointing, but a three-fold optical zoom is provided.
Advantages:
- Powerful processor.
- Photos are of good quality.
- The display is of excellent quality.
- Good quality stereo speakers.
- Fast and wireless charging.
Flaws:
- Slippery and easy to get dirty.
- Modest autonomy.
- N. 3.5.
- Combination tray.
Most expensive
ZTE Nubia Red Magic 5S
- Operating system: Android 10
- Processor: Snapdragon 865, 2.84 GHz
- Screen: 6.65 inches, AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 pixels, 144 Hz
- Battery: 4500 mAh
- RAM: 8-12 GB
- Built-in memory: 128/256 GB
Price: from 48,700 rub.
ZTE's arsenal includes not only regular smartphones, but also gaming ones. They are created by a separate division of Nubia.
Red Magic 5S is the company's most advanced gaming device. It comes in multiple colors, each highlighting its playful attitude. The body is made of glass, the frame is made of metal, and the back panel is shaped to improve grip and provide excellent ergonomics. There is also a triple camera - 64 + 8 + 2 megapixels. It takes good pictures, but you can’t expect great results, because a phone is not a camera. Front camera - 8 MP.
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The display of this device is represented by an AMOLED panel with a frequency of 144 Hz and a response of 240 Hz. In addition to excellent “speed” characteristics, the matrix pleases with high quality settings and a large brightness reserve.
Inside, there is a powerful flagship chipset Snapdragon 865, as well as a large amount of memory. The RAM here is LPDDR5 type, permanent UFS 3.1, that is, there are no questions about the speed of information exchange. In addition, the device is equipped with a real cooler for cooling, stereo speakers, and noise-canceling microphones. The device has 55W fast charging and also supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 and NFC.
Advantages:
- Very powerful.
- Air conditioning.
- Great display.
- Fast charging.
- Great speaker sound.
Flaws:
- The cameras are average in price.
ZTE Axon 30 Ultra
- Operating system: Android 11
- Processor: Snapdragon 888, 2.84 GHz
- Screen: 6.67 inches, AMOLED, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 144 Hz
- Battery: 4600 mAh
- RAM: 8-16 GB
- Built-in memory: 256/1000 GB
Price: from 68,400 rub.
ZTE Axon 30 Ultra is the company's newest flagship smartphone. It has top-notch specifications and the brand claims that it has the best camera in the world. It’s difficult to say how true this is, the device has only just appeared, but the numbers look really interesting.
Firstly, the Axon 30 Ultra looks very nice here with its original camera design, interesting colors and curved display, and the overall shape looks quite unusual. The screen here is high-resolution AMOLED, supports HDR10 and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, and the sensor level response rate is 300 Hz. The 16-megapixel front camera is built into the display in the center, the digital landing is below the screen.
In terms of coverage, the model is doing very well: a high-end processor and an insane 16/1000 GB in the maximum configuration. Of course, the phone supports all modern wireless modules, has 66 W fast charging and has not forgotten about stereo speakers.
The main thing that attracts people about this smartphone is the cameras. There are four sensors on the back, three of them are 64-megapixel (one is Sony IMX686 Exmor RS, two are Samsung GW3), and the fourth is an 8-megapixel telephoto lens. There is optical zoom and stabilization, night photography, 8K video recording and much more.
It’s too early to talk about the downsides, but what is obvious for such an expensive device with a flagship positioning is the lack of wireless charging and protection from moisture. There is also no support for microSD and 3.5, but this is a feature of many premium smartphones.
There is also a simplified version of the model: ZTE Axon 30 Pro. It features a lower refresh rate (120 Hz), less memory (maximum 8/256 GB), a smaller 4200 battery with 55 W charging and a simplified main camera - 64 + 64 + 5 + 2 MP. Price on Aliexpress is 44,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- Large display with high refresh rate.
- Powerful cameras.
- Large memory reserve.
- Flagship processor.
- Interesting design and colors.
- Presence of stereo.
Flaws:
- No protection against moisture.
- No wireless charging.
Buy
