ZTE V96 Comprehensive Review of Specs Price & Performance

Network

The ZTE V96 supports a wide range of network technologies that include GSM, UMTS, and LTE. This ensures seamless connectivity across 2G, 3G, and 4G bands. Specifically, the device supports GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 bands for 2G, UMTS 850, 1900, 2100 bands for 3G, and LTE 800 bands for 4G. The connectivity speeds are impressive for its time, with HSPA offering up to 42.2/11.5 Mbps and LTE Cat3 speeds up to 100/50 Mbps, making it suitable for browsing and streaming.

Launch

The ZTE V96 was announced in February 2012 and subsequently released in the fourth quarter of the same year. However, it's important to note that the device has since been discontinued. During its release, the device positioned itself as a competitive choice in the market for users looking for robust connectivity in a tablet format.

Body

The device is built for durability and functionality. Though specific dimensions and weight aren't provided, it adopts a frame that comfortably houses a Mini-SIM, offering decent connectivity options. The material and design choices likely reflect typical designs of tablets from that era, aiming for a balance between sturdiness and ease of use.

Display

The ZTE V96 features a 10.1-inch TFT display, with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The pixel density approximates to 149 ppi, which, during its time, provided reasonable clarity and color reproduction for everyday tasks such as web browsing, media consumption, and reading.

Platform

Under the hood, the ZTE V96 runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), powered by a Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset. This setup includes a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait CPU and an Adreno 225 GPU. These specifications enabled the tablet to deliver smooth performance on a variety of apps and ensured it could handle basic multitasking efficiently.

Memory

The device comes with an internal storage capacity of 16GB, paired with 1GB of RAM. While it lacks a card slot for expandable memory, the storage was adequate for maintaining essential apps and files at the time. The RAM supported decent multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps with relative ease.

Main Camera

The main camera of the ZTE V96 is a single 5 MP autofocus shooter capable of capturing photos and video. While it may not match modern-day camera standards, it served well for basic photography and video needs in well-lit conditions.

Selfie Camera

In addition to the rear camera, the device also includes a 2 MP front-facing camera. Primarily used for video calls and simple photography, the camera provided acceptable quality for the occasional selfie or video conference.

Sound

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering flexibility in audio output. Whether listening to music privately or playing sound through the device's speakers, the ZTE V96 accommodated various user preferences.

Comms

The Wi-Fi capabilities of the ZTE V96 include support for 802.11 b/g/n standards, allowing it to connect to various wireless networks and function as a hotspot. Bluetooth is available for wireless connectivity with peripherals. Furthermore, it includes positioning technologies like GPS and A-GPS. The absence of a radio is somewhat balanced by USB connection capabilities, albeit through a proprietary interface.

Features

Among its features, the ZTE V96 houses an accelerometer and a compass, expanding the functionality of the device in handling orientation-based applications and navigation. These sensors enhance the tablet's usability in interactive apps and games.

Battery

Powering the tablet is a non-removable Li-Ion battery that, at the time, provided users with sufficient operational time for daily usage. While exact battery capacity figures are not detailed, the battery performance was designed to support the screen size and processing demands of the device.

Misc

Available in classic black, the ZTE V96 offered a professional and understated design. Its choice in color appealed to a wide range of consumers, fitting into various lifestyle and professional settings.

Conclusion

The ZTE V96 was a notable device in its era, delivering a balance of functionality and performance in a tablet format. Its extensive network capabilities, reasonable processing power, and comprehensive feature set made it a competitive choice for users at the time of its release. Although discontinued, the tablet serves as a testament to the progress in mobile technology and continues to provide valuable insights for the development of future devices.