ZTE Blade V9 InDepth Review Specs Pricing & ProsCons

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade V9 features a sleek and modern design, characterized by its glass front and back and aluminum frame, lending it a premium look and feel that is uncommon in its price range. With dimensions of 151.4 x 70.6 x 7.5 mm and a weight of 140 grams, the phone is both slim and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and use. The choice of materials not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides a practical grip, ensuring that the device doesn't slip easily from your hand.

Display

The device boasts a large 5.7-inch S-IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 424 ppi. This high resolution and pixel density ensure that images and text are crisp and clear, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The 18:9 aspect ratio and an impressive 78.4% screen-to-body ratio make the display ideal for multimedia consumption, offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles.

Performance

At the heart of the ZTE Blade V9 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset, built on the 14 nm process technology. This chipset includes an octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 506 GPU, providing a balance between performance and energy efficiency. The device handles everyday tasks with ease and offers smooth multitasking, thanks in part to its 3GB or 4GB RAM options. The phone can support most apps and moderate gaming without significant performance issues, though it's not aimed at high-end gaming enthusiasts.

Software

Running on Android 8.1 Oreo, the ZTE Blade V9 provides users with a near-stock Android experience. This results in a clean and intuitive interface with minimal bloatware, offering a fast and responsive user experience. It supports all of Android Oreo's features, including notification dots, picture-in-picture mode, and Autofill, providing a comprehensive smartphone experience. However, it's worth noting that the device may not receive regular software updates compared to other brands.

Camera

The ZTE Blade V9 sports a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 16 MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a secondary 5 MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. This combination allows for high-quality images with good detail and color accuracy in well-lit conditions. It also supports dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, and HDR features. The depth sensor facilitates bokeh effects, adding a professional touch to portrait shots. The rear camera can record videos in 1080p at 30fps.

The selfie camera is available in either 8 MP or 13 MP options, each with an f/2.0 aperture, and includes an LED flash for improved low-light selfies. The front camera supports 1080p video recording, suitable for video calls and social media sharing.

Battery Life

Powered by a non-removable 3100 mAh Li-Ion battery, the ZTE Blade V9 offers decent battery life, capable of lasting a full day of moderate usage. The device supports 10W wired charging, though it lacks quick charge support, leading to longer charging times compared to fast charging contemporaries. Despite this, the battery is efficient enough to sustain general day-to-day tasks without frequent recharging.

Storage and Memory

The ZTE Blade V9 offers multiple storage options tailored to different user needs, including 32GB with 3GB RAM, 32GB with 4GB RAM, and 64GB with 4GB RAM. Additionally, it supports storage expansion via a microSDXC card, using the shared SIM slot, enabling users to increase storage capacity significantly to accommodate more apps, media files, and documents.

Connectivity

The phone supports dual SIM functionality with its hybrid dual SIM slot, allowing users to manage personal and work numbers efficiently. Communication features include GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE support offer reliable local wireless connections. The device also supports FM radio, GPS, and GLONASS, expanding the range of connectivity options for users. The 64 GB model also includes NFC support, enhancing compatibility with various contactless services and devices.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade V9 includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking, alongside standard sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, enabling a full smartphone experience. The 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories, while the loudspeaker provides adequate audio output for calls and media consumption.

Pricing and Availability

Initially announced in February 2018 and released in August 2018, the ZTE Blade V9 is available in four color options: Black, Gold, Blue, and Grey. It positioned itself as a budget-friendly device, priced at approximately 150 EUR, making it an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective smartphone without compromising on essential features.

Conclusion

The ZTE Blade V9 offers an impressive package for its price, balancing design aesthetics, performance, and features effectively. While it may not cater to high-end users or gaming enthusiasts, its emphasis on essential smartphone attributes such as display quality, design, and performance makes it a compelling choice for users seeking affordability and functionality. Whether for personal, professional, or entertainment use, the ZTE Blade V9 stands as an attractive option in the budget smartphone market.