ZTE

ZTE Blade Velocity: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 MSM8952
Adreno 405
2 GB / 16 GB
5.2 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

ZTE announced the launch of the Blade Velocity smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 MSM8952 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Blade Velocity series was launched with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus). 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 Blade Velocity smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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ZTE Blade Velocity specifications

BrandZTE
NameBlade Velocity
ModelBLVE
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Dimensions5.79 x 2.85 x 0.3 inch
Colorssilver
SIM typeNano SIM, Micro SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM). A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 617 MSM8952
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 405

The ZTE Blade Velocity comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

ZTE Blade Velocity / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.2 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Blade Velocity has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Blade Velocity 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, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The ZTE Blade Velocity supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Blade Velocity smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2540 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 2540 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Blade Velocity isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, OGS

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). The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

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
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
Add ZTE Blade Velocity to your comparison

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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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