ZTE Blade S6 The Ultimate Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade S6 boasts a sleek design with dimensions of 144 x 70.7 x 7.7 mm and a weight of 154 grams. This relatively light frame ensures portability while maintaining a solid feel when held. The dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) capability is a practical feature for users who need to separate work and personal lines or those who travel frequently. Available in White, Aurora Purple, Tahiti Brown, Venice Gold, and Baroque Red, the Blade S6 offers a range of choices to suit different style preferences.

Display

The device features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi. While the screen-to-body ratio of ~67.7% is not the most impressive by today’s standards, it offers a decent viewing experience with good color reproduction and clarity. The contrast ratio of 986 (nominal) enhances the visibility of details, while a sunlight contrast ratio of 1.927 helps maintain visibility in brighter environments.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the ZTE Blade S6 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset built on 28 nm technology. The octa-core CPU consists of 4 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and another 4 at 1.0 GHz, utilizing Cortex-A53 architecture. This configuration, along with the Adreno 405 GPU, provides enough processing power for smooth multi-tasking and running standard Android applications. The device operates on Android 5.1 (Lollipop), customized with ZTE's MiFavor 3 interface, adding useful enhancements to the user experience.

Memory and Storage

The smartphone comes equipped with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. While 16GB might be limiting for users with extensive media libraries or numerous applications, the presence of a dedicated microSDXC slot allows for storage expansion, alleviating constraints and enhancing the device's utility.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the ZTE Blade S6 features a 13 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.0, promising reasonable light capture for vibrant and clear photos. Additional features such as auto-focus and LED flash aid in achieving better quality images in various lighting conditions. It supports video recording at 1080p@30fps, offering satisfactory video quality for casual use. The front camera, designed for selfies and video calls, is a 5 MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.7 and also supports 1080p video output, providing users with the necessary tools for everyday photography and social media interactions.

Battery Life

The device houses a non-removable Li-Ion 2400 mAh battery. This capacity offers up to 180 hours of standby time and up to 9 hours of talk time. Despite these figures, the endurance rating of 51 hours suggests moderate daily usage before necessitating a recharge, relying heavily on usage patterns and settings.

Connectivity and Network

The Blade S6 supports a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE support provides seamless wireless connections to peripherals. The smartphone also includes GPS positioning, enhancing its utility for navigation, although NFC is absent. In terms of cellular connectivity, the device handles various bands: GSM, HSPA, and LTE with speeds capable of reaching HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, ensuring stable and fast data transmission across supported networks.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade S6 incorporates several sensors to enrich the user experience, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, facilitating a range of applications from gaming to navigation. The inclusion of an FM radio adds a nostalgic yet practical feature for enjoying music and local broadcasts without using data.

Audio and Sound Quality

The audio experience is complemented with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, accommodating both wireless and wired audio solutions. The loudspeaker performance rates at 66dB for voice clarity, 65dB for noise, and 76dB for ringtone volume, making it suitable for most everyday environments. The audio quality numbers, with noise and crosstalk measured at -93.1dB, indicate a decent level of sound fidelity.

Overall Value

When evaluated within its context as a 2015 release, the ZTE Blade S6 offered commendable features at a competitive price point (~220 EUR). The device targeted budget-conscious consumers seeking a balanced smartphone with dual-SIM functionality, solid performance for the time, and flexible storage options.

Despite being discontinued, the Blade S6 remains a testament to ZTE's capability to deliver satisfactory mobile solutions in the demanding smartphone market. Its design, camera quality, and overall versatility ensured it met the essential needs of its target audience, leaving a mark in the mid-range smartphone segment of its era.