ZTE V821 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of ZTE V821

The ZTE V821 was released back in June 2011 and has since been discontinued. It was a modestly priced Android smartphone that catered to basic mobile and communication needs. Designed to appeal to users who preferred a physical keyboard, it combined both a touchscreen and a QWERTY keyboard, which was a sought-after feature back in its release year.

Network and Connectivity

The ZTE V821 supported GSM technology, operating across four 2G bands: GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 for both SIM 1 and SIM 2. This dual SIM capability meant users could manage two SIM cards simultaneously, an attractive feature for those who traveled frequently or balanced work with personal contacts. Connectivity options were standard for the time, with both GPRS and EDGE support, although it lacked the speed of 3G or LTE connections.

Design and Build

The device had a practical design with dimensions of 116 x 56.5 x 11.8 mm and a weight of 120 grams, making it relatively lightweight and portable. The inclusion of a physical QWERTY keyboard was a highlight, especially appealing to users who were accustomed to typing on traditional keyboards. Its casing, predominantly in black, lent a professional and mainstream look, targeting business users as well as regular consumers.

Display Features

The ZTE V821 featured a TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65K colors, a standard display option for entry-level smartphones at the time. The resolution stood at 320 x 240 pixels in a 4:3 ratio, which, although low by today's standards, was sufficient for basic operations like browsing and texting back in 2011.

Platform and Performance

Under the hood, the ZTE V821 ran on the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, leveraging the Mediatek MT6516 chipset. The CPU clocked at 416 MHz, making it capable of handling simple tasks but limiting in terms of multitasking and running intensive applications. It was targeted at users who required basic smartphone functionality without the demand for heavy processing power.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage was quite limited at 256MB, necessitating the utilization of a microSDHC card for additional space. This expandability was crucial due to the constrained internal memory, allowing users to store more applications, photos, and music. However, the actual performance would still be hindered by the limited RAM, impacting the device's capability to handle modern applications.

Camera Specifications

The device came with a single 2 MP rear camera featuring autofocus, enabling users to capture basic photographs. While the camera did support video capture, the quality expected from it would be rudimentary compared to contemporary camera standards. The absence of a front-facing camera precluded it from being used for selfies or video calls via emerging apps of the time.

Audio and Multimedia

The phone included a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, facilitating personal and shared listening. FM radio was a staple feature included in the ZTE V821, offering users the option to enjoy live radio broadcasts. Multimedia functionality was standard, permitting playback of audio and videos within the constraints of its processing ability.

Communication Features

Connectivity options extended to Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support for wireless audio, and GPS with A-GPS for basic navigation services. The inclusion of a microUSB 2.0 port provided essential charging and data transfer capabilities. While these features were adequate for the time, they are quite limited by today’s technology standards.

Battery and Power

The ZTE V821 was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery. The benefit of a removable battery was apparent for users who preferred to carry spare batteries or to replace their battery over time as it degraded. However, specific details about battery capacity and expected usage times are not provided.

Final Considerations

In conclusion, the ZTE V821 was a device suited for users looking for budget-friendly, basic smartphone functionality during the early 2010s. It served essential communication and media needs with its dual SIM capability, QWERTY keyboard, and Android operating system. Although the technology was dated quickly as newer, more powerful smartphones emerged, it provided a stepping stone for users transitioning from feature phones to smart devices.