Display:480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Camera:3.15 MP, AF
Battery:
Released:Released 2010, November
The Blade by ZTE: A Hidden Gem in the Android World
The year was 2010, and innovations in the world of smartphones were just starting to take off. It was around this time that ZTE, a relatively unknown Chinese brand, released their latest device – the Blade. With its sleek design, impressive specs, and affordable price point, the Blade quickly gained a loyal following among tech enthusiasts.
Design and Dimensions
Weighing only 110g and measuring at just 11.8mm in thickness, the Blade boasts a slim and lightweight body. Its compact dimensions of 116 x 56.5 x 11.8 mm made it easy to carry around and hold in the hand. The device sported a mini-SIM slot, a common feature at that time, and came in a classic black color.
Display and Platform
The Blade was equipped with a 3.5-inch AMOLED or LCD display, which offered vibrant colors and sharp resolution. It had a 5:3 aspect ratio and a 53.2% screen-to-body ratio, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. Running on Android 2.1 Eclair, with the option to upgrade to 2.2 Froyo, the Blade provided a smooth user experience. It was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset, a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, and an Adreno 200 GPU.
Memory and Storage
The Blade may not have had the most impressive memory and storage options, but it was certainly sufficient for its time. It came with 512MB of RAM and 512MB internal storage, and also had a microSDHC slot for expandable memory up to 2GB. This allowed users to store their favorite apps, music, and photos without any worries.
Camera and Sound
The Blade's main camera was a 3.15 megapixels auto-focus camera, which may not sound like much by today's standards, but still produced decent photos. It also had the capability to record videos. However, the device did not have a front-facing camera for taking selfies. On the bright side, it did come with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, so users could still enjoy their media with great sound quality.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Blade supported GSM and HSPA networks, with 2G bands of GSM 900/1800/1900 and 3G bands of HSDPA 900/2100. It had Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities, as well as GPS and A-GPS for navigation. Other features included a stereo FM radio with RDS and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.
The device also had sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, making it convenient and user-friendly. It came with WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browsers, and could also support MP4/H.264 and MP3/WAV/eAAC+ media players, as well as various organizer tools.
Battery Life and Price
The Blade was fueled by a removable Li-Ion 1250 mAh battery, which provided up to 192 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time. While this may not seem very impressive, it was considered decent for a smartphone in that era. The price of the Blade when it was released was around 170 EUR, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious consumers.
In conclusion, the ZTE Blade may have been overlooked by many during its time of release, but it was a solid device that offered great value for its price. It demonstrated ZTE's potential as a brand and paved the way for future innovations. The Blade may not be a flagship phone, but it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to own one.
