ZTE Grand S: Pros and Cons
ZTE announced the launch of the Grand S smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 1780 mAh, non-removable battery. 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, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- ZTE Grand S specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the ZTE Grand S 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.
ZTE Grand S specifications
| Brand | ZTE |
|---|---|
| Name | Grand S |
| Model | GRANDS |
| Release date | 2013 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 3.88 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.59 x 2.76 x 0.27 inch |
| Colors | blue, red, white, yellow |
| SIM type | Mini SIM |
The weight of ZTE Grand S is about 3.88 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 200 |
| GPU | Adreno 320 |
The ZTE Grand S comes with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. 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 type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 2 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 16 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
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 Grand S has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Grand S does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | yes |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The ZTE Grand S supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Grand S smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. 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
| Type | Li-Ion 1780 mAh, non-removable |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1780 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 Grand S isn't removable without voiding the warranty.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass |
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). Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.
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
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
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 fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
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.