ZTE Blade X3 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview

The ZTE Blade X3, announced and released in November 2015, is a mid-range smartphone that offers practical features suitable for everyday use. Despite being discontinued, it remains a device of interest due to its balance of specifications and affordability at the time of its launch. The Blade X3 was designed to cater to users looking for reliability without needing high-end, expensive models.

Design and Build

The ZTE Blade X3 features a sleek and compact design with dimensions measuring 145 x 71.5 x 8.9 mm and a weight of 160.9 grams. The phone provides a solid grip, thanks to its well-crafted body, and is equipped with a 5.0-inch display that covers approximately 66.5% of the front surface, offering a reasonable viewing experience.

Display

The device sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi. The display offers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles, making it suitable for media consumption and general browsing. Although it doesn't compete with the high-definition screens of flagship models, the display provides satisfactory quality within its segment.

Hardware Specifications

The ZTE Blade X3 is powered by a Mediatek MT6735P chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-T720MP2 GPU. This configuration is effective for basic tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, and social media applications. However, heavy applications and multitasking can cause the device to lag due to its 1GB RAM.

Internal storage on the Blade X3 is limited to 8GB but can be expanded using a microSDXC card, allowing users to increase the storage capacity to accommodate apps, media files, and more.

Battery

One of the standout features of the Blade X3 is its robust 4000 mAh removable Li-Ion battery. This capacity ensures extended phone usage time, making it suitable for users who require prolonged battery life for daily activities without frequent charging.

Operating System

The smartphone runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, an older version of the Android OS but still functional for running most applications available during its time. The OS is user-friendly and offers features that were standard when it was first released in 2015.

Camera Capabilities

The ZTE Blade X3 is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera. The autofocus feature and LED flash enhance photo quality, while the camera supports panorama mode for wider shots. Video recording is possible at 1080p@30fps, providing decent video quality for personal recordings.

The front-facing camera is available in 5 MP or 2 MP variations, suitable for video calls and basic selfies, although it lacks more advanced features seen in premium smartphones.

Connectivity and Network

This device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring good network compatibility and internet speeds for its users. The dual SIM capability allows for more flexible communication options, especially for users managing personal and business contacts.

Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, and GPS for navigation services. However, it lacks NFC capabilities, limiting some modern contactless functionalities.

Audio and Additional Features

The ZTE Blade X3 includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio convenience. Users can also enjoy FM radio features for offline music and news. Other notable features include a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sensors onboard include an accelerometer and proximity sensor, enhancing the user experience through automated adjustments based on device orientation and proximity.

Conclusion

Overall, the ZTE Blade X3 is an economical smartphone that offers essential features for everyday use. While it does not meet the demands of power users or compete with more recent models, it provides a reasonable option for those in need of a functional device with extended battery life. The Blade X3's balance between functionality and affordability made it a practical choice in the budget smartphone market when it was released.