ZTE Open C: Pros and Cons
ZTE announced the launch of the Open C smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch TFT display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 MSM8210 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Firefox OS 1.3 operating system. This phone uses a 4 inch TFT display. This phone has only one rear-camera (3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 px) on its back for photos and videos.
Table of Contents
- ZTE Open C 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 Open C 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 Open C specifications
| Brand | ZTE |
|---|---|
| Name | Open C |
| Model | OPENC |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.41 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.96 x 2.55 x 0.43 inch |
| Colors | black, orange |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the ZTE Open C 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 | Firefox OS 1.3 |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 MSM8210 |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Adreno 302 |
The ZTE Open C comes with Firefox OS 1.3 out of the box. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | TFT |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4 inch |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
This 4 inch smartphone comes with a TFT display. 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 | 512 MB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 4 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Open C (4 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 px |
|---|---|
| Flash | no |
| Selfie camera | no |
You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The main camera of Open C smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v2.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Open C 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 1400 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, light, proximity |
|---|
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device.
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
- lack of autofocus
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no digital compass
- 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.