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ZTE Blade review

6.9/10 AVG.
RATING
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ZTE Blade
ZTE Blade
ZTE Blade
ZTE Blade
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6.9/10
Informr score
The ZTE Blade currently has an Informr score of 6.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 8 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The ZTE Blade may be a little older than some other budget Android phones but it still stands up against modern alternatives.

Its 3.5 inch screen with an 800x480 resolution gives it more visual clarity and space to breath than most cheap mobiles. It also implements Android just as Google intended it without going too overboard with custom interfaces and other unnecessary extras.

The fact that the touchscreen is capacitive also works in its favour, allowing for feather-light interactivity that cannot be achieved on some cut price handsets with resistive touch technology.

Localized versions of the phone include the Orange San Francisco and T-Mobile Blade.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
600 MHz
Processor
Processor
600 MHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1250 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TechRadar
TechRadar

Every operator has its budget Android offering and you can also get several SIM free.The Orange San Francisco is the best of the bunch because Orange seems to have got the bottom line features right.Good, large, high-resolution screen, nice solid hardware design, neat array of Orange widgets, a proc...

- Sandra Vogel, TechRadar

Lawrence Mhlanga
It is quite a nice phone may i suggest something. I would appreaciate if you can make a phone that will record the conversation for both the caller and the person who's answering the call, and also make a privancy that will lock individual file eg. messages, phonebook, music file, etc. Otherwise your phone is good it can tell you if you have a missed call. please all the fitures to be standard. Kind regards, Lawrence Mhlanga
Cnet
Cnet

We'd like to give Orange a big hug for bringing us a decent-looking, powerful Android phone with a capacitive touchscreen for under £100 on a pay as you go deal. Then we'd like to give Orange a punch in the face for covering the phone in bloatware and messing up its email in a bid to recoup it...

- Charles Kloet , Cnet
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The Orange San Francisco is a staggeringly well featured handset which simply has no peer when it comes to value for money. Orange has done its very best to make a mess of the user experience by riddling the phone with bloatware, but it is nothing some enthusiastic uninstalling can't fix. If you hav...

- Gordon Kelly, TrustedReviews
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

It has a great screen, but we’re not keen on Orange’s extra software and there are better alternatives for the same price.

- Barry de la Rosa, Expert Reviews
PC Pro
PC Pro

For all that, the Orange San Francisco isn't an awful; it just isn't as good as its competitors. The HTC Wildfire works out better value as, despite a lower resolution screen, it offers superior software and build quality.Alternatively, the identically priced Motorola Defy adds a much better camera,...

- Jonathan Bray, PC Pro


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the ZTE Blade user manual here.


ZTE backs up the Blade with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Blade has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact ZTE support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find ZTE's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




Resources


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Quick view

Screen Size
3.5"

The ZTE Blade's screen size is 3.5 inches with 480 x 800 pixels resolution.

Processor
600 MHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM7227 600 MHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 2.1 Eclair operating system (OS).

Camera
3+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 3+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
150 MB

Internal memory is 150 MB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1250mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1250 mAh battery.

ZTE Blade Specs

Overview
Release Date September 21, 2010
Regions Available USA
Operating System Android 2.1 Eclair

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM7227 600 MHz
Internal Storage 150 MB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.32 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery, Headset, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
EDGE, HSDPA 7.2
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
No
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, ISO, White balance
Video Recording Formats
H.264 / AVC
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 262k
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Multi-touch, Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1250 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 22.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.7 x 5.6 x 1.2 cm (4.6 x 2.2 x 0.5 in)
Weight 130 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Unknown
Home Key Unknown
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
ROM: 512MB
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Auto Answer: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP
PC Synchronization: OTA
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: eAAC+, MP3, MP4, WAV
Video Playback Formats: H.264 / AVC
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM)
Viewable document types: XLS, PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, PDF
Games: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Calculator, Weather, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Orange San Francisco, T-Mobile Blade
Related Links Manual (PDF)
ZTE Blade Reviews
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