ZTE nubia Z18 mini Specs Pricing & Full Review Revealed

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE nubia Z18 mini flaunts a design that combines elegance and functionality, fitting perfectly into modern aesthetics while ensuring ultimate comfort. Its compact dimensions of 148 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and a lightweight of 153 grams make it a delight to handle. The device feels premium, thanks to its sturdy build that integrates glass and metal, enhancing both grip and durability. Available in multiple vibrant colors including Provence Edition, Ying Yu powder, Celadon blue, Diamond black, and Glacier White, the Z18 mini lets users express personal style effortlessly.

Display

The ZTE nubia Z18 mini boasts a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display that offers vibrant and crisp visuals, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. The screen resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels delivers sharp and detailed images, with an impressive pixel density of approximately 424 ppi. The 18:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive viewing experience, suitable for watching videos, browsing, or gaming. The display's brightness and color accuracy ensure great visibility and clarity even under direct sunlight.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Z18 mini is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, which is manufactured on a 14nm process technology. This octa-core processor, with four Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four Kryo 260 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz, delivers smooth and efficient performance. The Adreno 512 GPU ensures that the device handles graphic-intensive applications and games seamlessly. Paired with 6GB of RAM, the Z18 mini provides a fluid multitasking experience, catering to the needs of both casual and power users.

Storage Options

ZTE offers the nubia Z18 mini in two storage variants: 64GB and 128GB, both accompanied by 6GB of RAM. This ample internal storage ensures users have plenty of space for all their apps, media, and documents. The device doesn’t support expandable storage options via a microSD card, but the available storage options should suffice for most users without the need for additional space.

Camera Capabilities

The photography experience on the nubia Z18 mini is exceptional due to its dual-camera setup on the rear. It comprises a primary 24 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and PDAF, coupled with a 5 MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. This combination enables stunning portraits with a bokeh effect, vivid colors, and sharp details. The rear camera supports features like LED flash and HDR, and it can record videos in 4K at 30fps as well as 1080p at 30fps. The 8 MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture is designed for capturing clear selfies and allows video recording at 1080p, making it efficient for video calls as well.

Battery Life

Powering the Z18 mini is a reliable 3450 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, offering enough juice to get through a full day with moderate usage. While it might not be the largest battery in its category, the software optimizations and power-efficient hardware contribute to prolonged battery life, allowing users to enjoy their favorite activities without constant worries about recharging.

Network and Connectivity

The ZTE nubia Z18 mini provides comprehensive connectivity options, supporting GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE technologies. It offers robust network support for various bands, ensuring strong and consistent connectivity in numerous locations. The device supports dual SIM cards, which is advantageous for users who maintain multiple numbers. Wi-Fi connectivity includes support for dual-band Wi-Fi Direct, and the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 ensures fast and stable wireless connections. Although NFC and radio are not present, the device features GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for impressive location tracking capabilities.

Software Experience

Running on Android 8.1 (Oreo) layered with nubia UI, the ZTE nubia Z18 mini offers a seamless and user-friendly interface. The combination of Google's OS features with nubia’s custom UI ensures an intuitive user experience, combining functionality and style. Users benefit from the rich features of Android Oreo, such as improved notifications, picture-in-picture mode, and enhanced security updates, while the custom UI adds numerous customization options to tailor the phone’s appearance and behavior according to user preferences.

Audio and Sensors

The ZTE nubia Z18 mini ensures a captivating audio experience with its loudspeaker and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy their favorite tunes through wired earphones. The device is equipped with a range of sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the functionality and security features of the smartphone.

Conclusion

The ZTE nubia Z18 mini offers a balanced mix of style, performance, and functionality. With its remarkable display, competent camera setup, and robust hardware, it caters to users looking for a dependable yet stylish smartphone. While the lack of expandable storage and NFC might be a drawback for some, the overall package is compelling, especially at its price point. Ideal for multimedia enthusiasts and power users alike, the Z18 mini stands out as a solid choice in the competitive mid-range smartphone segment.