ZTE Nubia Z5S Mini (2013)
This phone boasts a 4.7 inch IGZO display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 chipset, and 2 GB of RAM.
Is this phone worth its price? Hopefully, it will become clear by the end of my review.
Table of Contents
- ZTE Nubia Z5S Mini 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 Nubia Z5S Mini smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
ZTE Nubia Z5S Mini specifications
| Brand | ZTE |
|---|---|
| Name | Nubia Z5S Mini |
| Model | Z5SM |
| Release date | 2013 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.23 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.31 x 2.59 x 0.33 inch |
| Colors | blue, green, pink, white, yellow |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the ZTE Nubia Z5S Mini is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Adreno 305 |
The ZTE Nubia Z5S Mini comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IGZO |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.7 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The Nubia Z5S Mini comes with a high-end Sharp IGZO screen. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite 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. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services we use. If we use our smartphones for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32 GB may be sufficient for our needs. We can expand the internal storage of the Nubia Z5S Mini (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Nubia Z5S Mini comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, USB host |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. This ZTE phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. We can use Bluetooth to connect our Nubia Z5S Mini smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. 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
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2000 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
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity |
|---|
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Nubia Z5S Mini smartphone has an accelerometer.
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
- IGZO display
- microSD slot
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- 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.