Grand in name, but is ZTE’s latest handset
grand in nature?
The ZTE Grand X ($285 inc. VAT) is another
mid- to low-end Android handset making its way to market, and as technology
advances we’re expecting to see more and more from handsets which sport more
attractive price tags.
ZTE
Grand X
If you’re familiar with the Samsung Galaxy
Nexus you may see some similarities between it and the Grand X - resulting in
ZTE offering up a decent looking handset which feels firm and solid in the hand
(although the plastic chassis is noticeable).
The 4.3-inch qHD TFT display means the
Grand X offers a decent viewing experience, whether it’s reading text on a
website or watching a video - colours are full and characters are sharp and
clear.
The screen might not quite deliver the same
pop as the more expensive AMOLED technology, plus viewing in direct sunlight
gets tricky with a high amount of glare encountered, but for a sub-$300 handset
it certainly provides value for money.
Smooth operator
Considering its price, the dual-core Tegra
2 processor and the unadulterated Ice Cream Sandwich operating system make for
a smooth, nippy user experience, which will no doubt please the hardcore
Android fans who don’t like the way some manufacturers tinker with the software.
You get the stock Android internet browser
on board the Grand X, which is more than adequate for your mobile web needs,
with bookmarks, tabbed browsing, offline reading, flash and text reflow all
available.
All
in all, the ZTE Grand X is a respectable mid-level entry with a decent screen
and nice features.
However the Grand X isn’t the quickest when
it comes to loading websites, with content-heavy pages taking a good 10 seconds
to load, although, thanks to the qHD screen, once they do they are beautifully
clear and easy to read.
Thanks to the large, bright display the
Grand X is an excellent choice for watching movies and TV on the go, however
you’ll need to check your video formats, as it only supports a handful
including WMV and MP4, and we found it wouldn’t play our AVI, MPEG 4 or MPEG 2
clips.
When you do get high-definition video which
works on the Grand X, playback is very good for such a reasonably priced
handset, with great detail and movement control making for an extremely
pleasing viewing experience.
Unfortunately this high quality playback
takes its toll on the Grand X’s battery life, and in our battery test the ZTE
handset only lasted a disappointingly meagre four hours until it bit the dust.
For photo fans there’s a 5-megapixel rear
camera round the back, flanked by an LED flash for low-light shooting and the
ability to capture 720p video, with results respectable for the price, but
don’t expect dazzling images.
All in all, the ZTE Grand X is a
respectable mid-level entry with a decent screen and nice features.
What’s it best for
·
Web & text
·
Movies & music
·
Apps
|
Details
|
|
Price
|
$285
|
|
Website
|
www.virginmobile.com
|
|
Key features
|
|
Supplier
|
www.virginmobile.com
|
|
OS
|
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
|
|
Processor
|
Nvidia Tegra 2 1.2GHz
|
|
Memory
|
1GB
|
|
Storage
|
4GB
|
|
Expansion
|
microSD
|
|
Connectivity
|
Micro-USB
|
|
Rear camera
|
5MP
|
|
Front camera
|
VGA
|
|
Weight
|
110g
|
|
Screen size
|
4.3-inch
|
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Screen type
|
TFT
|
|
Screen resolution
|
960 x 540
|
|
Test results
|
|
Battery life (Mins)
|
240
|
|
Performance
|
4,814
|
|
Gaming
|
1,031
|
|
Verdict
|
|
Value
|
4/5
|
|
Features
|
3/5
|
|
Performance
|
3/5
|
|
Total
|
3/5
|
