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ZTE

ZTE Open L (2015)

Firefox OS 2.2
Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 MSM8909
Adreno 304
1 GB / 8 GB
5 inch (480 x 854 px)
5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5 inch TFT display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 MSM8909 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM.

Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the ZTE Open L smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

ZTE Open L / 1

ZTE Open L specifications

BrandZTE
NameOpen L
ModelOPENL
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.37 oz
Dimensions5.73 x 2.87 x 0.37 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of ZTE Open L is about 4.37 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionFirefox OS 2.2
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 210 MSM8909
CPUQuad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUAdreno 304

The ZTE Open L comes with Firefox OS 2.2 out of the box. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeTFT
Screen size5 inch
Resolution480 x 854 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5 inch phone comes with TFT display. A thin-film transistor (TFT) features a thin-film transistor for each individual pixel. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

ZTE Open L / 1

Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Open L has only 8 GB. We can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Open L does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The ZTE Open L supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Open L smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2200 mAh

The Li-Ion 2200 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, proximity

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth).

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this ZTE phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot

Cons

  • TFT display
  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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