ZTE Blade II V880+ Specs Price Pros & Cons Unveiled

General Overview

The ZTE Blade II V880+ was a smartphone released in March 2012, following its announcement in February of the same year. As a mid-range device during its time, the Blade II V880+ offers users a variety of features suited to moderate smartphone users. Though it is now discontinued, it served as one of ZTE's offerings in the growing Android market of the early 2010s.

Design and Build

Weighing 117.4 grams and measuring 115.1 x 57.9 x 10.9 mm, the device is compact and lightweight. The design follows the typical smartphone layout of its time, with a focus on functionality over oversized screens or slim designs, which became more prevalent in later years. The use of a mini-SIM card slot was standard, affording reasonable network connectivity.

Display

The ZTE Blade II V880+ features a 3.5-inch Super AMOLED display, with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. With a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi, the display offers adequate sharpness and color reproduction for daily use. Although not the largest screen on the market, it provides a decent viewing experience for web browsing, media consumption, and basic app interaction.

Performance

Under the hood, the Blade II V880+ is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 processor with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU. The Adreno 200 GPU handles graphics processing, which meets basic needs but isn't suited for intensive gaming or high-performance tasks. With 512MB of RAM, multitasking capabilities are limited, but it was suitable for the period's typical app usage.

Operating System

This device originally comes with Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) and had upgradability potentials up to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). This upgrade path allowed users to benefit from newer Android features during the phone's operational lifespan, although the hardware limits the performance and efficiency gains from such updates.

Storage

The ZTE Blade II V880+ includes an internal storage capacity of 512MB, which was standard for mid-range smartphones of its era. For users requiring more storage, there is a microSDHC card slot for storage expansion, accommodating more apps, photos, and media files, a critical feature given the limited onboard storage.

Camera Features

The device is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus (AF) rear camera, inclusive of an LED flash, allowing users a modest photography capability. Although the camera doesn't compare to current standards, it was adequate for casual snapshots at the time. Video functionality is also supported on the main camera. Additionally, there is a VGA front camera catering to basic selfie needs and video calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, the ZTE Blade II V880+ offers a basic battery life, typical for devices of its class during the release period. While it isn't designed for prolonged heavy usage, it suffices for regular daily tasks and moderate app use. The removable nature of the battery allows users to swap it out, providing a simple solution to extend life between charges.

Connectivity and Sensors

For connectivity, the Blade II V880+ offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities, accompanied by Bluetooth 3.0, A2DP for wireless device pairing. Furthermore, it includes GPS and A-GPS for location services, alongside NFC support for short-range wireless interactions. Standard audio connectivity is preserved with a 3.5mm headphone jack, and microUSB 2.0 supports data transfer and charging. The phone also contains an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing user interaction and utility.

Networking

The device supports GSM/HSPA technology, ensuring reasonable connectivity for calls and internet usage. It incorporates 2G and 3G bands that were prevalent when the device was released, including GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 900/2100. This connectivity setup offers speeds up to HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps, suitable for basic browsing and app data transfers.

Pricing and Market Status

At launch, the ZTE Blade II V880+ was priced around 230 EUR, marking it as a moderately priced smartphone targeting a demographic looking for a balance between cost and capability. The device is now discontinued, but during its time it offered a competitive option in the bustling Android market.

Conclusion

In summary, the ZTE Blade II V880+ proliferated as an accessible choice for users seeking a basic smartphone experience. It delivered satisfactory performance and functionality pertinent to its era, embodying features like a compact display, moderate processing power, acceptable camera features, and a decent level of connectivity. Though technology has advanced significantly since its release, the Blade II V880+ represented an important step in ZTE's mobile device lineup and the smartphone landscape of the early 2010s.