ZTE Racer II Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of ZTE Racer II

ZTE Racer II, announced in August 2011 and released in September 2011, is a budget-friendly smartphone that was part of ZTE's effort to capture the entry-level market by providing affordable options with essential smartphone functionalities. Despite being discontinued, the ZTE Racer II provides an interesting perspective into the smartphone landscape of the early 2010s.

Network Technology

The ZTE Racer II supports GSM and HSPA network technologies. For 2G connectivity, it operates on GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 frequency bands. In terms of 3G capability, it supports HSDPA 900 and 2100 bands. The device can manage data speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps on HSPA, which was satisfactory for basic web browsing and social media usage at the time of its release.

Design and Build

Measuring 104 x 55.4 x 13.5 mm and weighing 100 grams, the ZTE Racer II is compact and lightweight, making it easy to handle and fit into pockets. The device features a classic black finish and has a mini-SIM slot. Its design is typical of smartphones from its era, with a relatively small screen-to-body ratio.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT display, supporting 256K colors and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi, which provides basic visual clarity suitable for standard applications and media. The screen size is small by modern standards but was common for entry-level models in 2011.

Platform

Running on Android 2.2 Froyo, the ZTE Racer II accommodates users with basic Android applications. It employs a 500 MHz ARM 11 processor, which, while modest, was adequate for running the less resource-intensive applications of the time. Performance expectations should be aligned with its entry-level positioning.

Memory and Storage

This device comes with 256MB of internal storage and 512MB of RAM. There is a dedicated microSDHC slot available for storage expansion, which allows users to store more apps, photos, and audio files. The combination of RAM and processing power limits multitasking capabilities but suffices for fundamental operations.

Camera

The ZTE Racer II is equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera capable of video recording. In absence of a front-facing selfie camera, the focus is primarily on basic photography and video needs, providing a simple way to capture moments without advanced photographic features.

Sound and Audio

Audio possibilities are enriched with a built-in loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect headphones or external speakers for improved listening experiences. These features emphasize the device’s suitability for basic multimedia consumption.

Communications

The communication suite includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR for easy pairing and data transfer between devices, and GPS with A-GPS for location services. Optional NFC technology provides potential for contactless transactions. FM radio with RDS offers entertainment options, complemented by a microUSB port for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features

Enhanced user experience is achieved with sensors like the accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, contributing to the functionality and navigation of apps and games. Despite its simple feature set, these sensors reflect an effort to embrace technology trends of its time.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, the ZTE Racer II promises up to 166 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours 35 minutes of talk time. This capacity is modest, illustrating the need for regular charging, especially with active use.

Conclusion

The ZTE Racer II serves as a testimony to the evolving smartphone market of the early 2010s, focusing on affordability and essential features. Though its specifications are modest by current standards, they were adequate for an entry-level user at its time of release. At an estimated price of about 200 EUR, the device was a competitive choice for users entering the smartphone realm.