Zte Blade A72 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The ZTE Blade A72 is a mid-range smartphone that was released in June 2022. Priced at around 110 EUR, it offers a range of features that are often found in more expensive devices. The phone has a large 6.75-inch display with a high resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor and comes with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage and 3GB of RAM. The ZTE Blade A72 also has a triple-camera setup at the back, which includes a 13MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. Another highlight of the phone is its massive 6000mAh battery that can last for days on a single charge.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade A72 is a solidly built device that boasts a sleek and modern design. The phone measures 168 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.37 in) and weighs 214 g (7.55 oz), which makes it slightly bulky but still comfortable to hold. The device's back panel has a glossy finish that gives it a premium look and feel.

The phone comes in two color options, Space Gray and Sky Blue, both of which are visually appealing. The device features a dual SIM card slot that supports Nano-SIM cards, allowing users to switch between networks seamlessly. The device's buttons are well-placed and easy to use, including the side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The ZTE Blade A72 boasts an impressive 6.75-inch IPS LCD screen that provides a high resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, delivering a sharp and clear display. The display has a 90Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and swiping more fluid and responsive. The screen-to-body ratio is an impressive 84.5%, offering a near-edge-to-edge viewing experience.

The phone's build quality is impressive, with sturdy construction that makes it feel durable and reliable. The device is made of high-quality materials, which contribute to its overall solid feel. The phone's durability is further enhanced by its scratch-resistant glass protection.

In summary, the ZTE Blade A72 offers an excellent design and build quality that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. The device's glossy back panel, well-placed buttons, and high-quality materials make it a phone that is both comfortable to hold and visually appealing. The phone's large and responsive display further enhances its design, making it a joy to use.

Display

The ZTE Blade A72 boasts a 6.75-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and fluid viewing experience. The screen's resolution is 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 390 ppi. This high resolution ensures that images and text are sharp and clear, making it easy to read and view content on the device.

The display technology used in the ZTE Blade A72 is IPS LCD, which is known for its accurate and vibrant color reproduction. Users can expect to see vivid colors and rich contrast on this device, making it great for watching videos, browsing photos, or playing games.

In terms of brightness, the ZTE Blade A72's display is adequate for indoor use and even performs well in moderately lit environments. However, the screen may struggle in direct sunlight, as it could be difficult to see content on the screen.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the ZTE Blade A72's display are excellent, providing a smooth and seamless user experience. The device's screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which adds an extra layer of durability against scratches and cracks.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A72's display is impressive, providing sharp visuals, accurate colors, and a responsive touch screen. Its 90Hz refresh rate adds an extra layer of smoothness to the device's user experience, making it a great choice for users who prioritize a high-quality display.

Performance

The ZTE Blade A72 is powered by an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A chipset that runs on a 28nm process. This processor has four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6GHz and another four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.2GHz. This CPU is paired with an IMG8322 GPU that is capable of handling most games and apps with ease.

The device comes in two RAM and storage options: 3GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, or 3GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. This is expandable via the microSDXC slot, which can take up to 512GB.

The ZTE Blade A72 delivers a smooth and snappy performance, with fast app launches and smooth multitasking. It handles most games quite well, although with some high-end games, there may be occasional lags or stutters. However, this is not a dealbreaker and the overall gaming experience is enjoyable.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Blade A72 scores an average of 1100 in single-core and 3100 in multi-core on Geekbench 5. This puts it in the same league as other mid-range devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy A32 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.

Real-world usage is where the Blade A72 truly shines. It handles day-to-day usage with ease, and there are no noticeable lags or stutters. Overall, the performance of the ZTE Blade A72 is quite impressive, and it offers excellent value for its price point.

Software and User Interface

When it comes to software and user interface, the ZTE Blade A72 offers a relatively clean and straightforward experience. The phone runs on Android 11 with ZTE's own MiFavor 12 UI on top. Users can expect a smooth and responsive performance thanks to the octa-core Unisoc SC9863A chipset paired with 3GB of RAM.

One of the highlights of the Blade A72's software is the extensive customization options available. Users can choose from a variety of themes, fonts, and icon packs to personalize their device to their liking. The MiFavor 12 UI also offers a range of gesture controls for easier navigation.

Pre-installed apps and bloatware are kept to a minimum, which is a welcome relief for those who prefer a clutter-free experience. However, some users may find the lack of certain apps, such as a file manager, to be inconvenient.

The user interface is generally intuitive and easy to use, though some users may need to adjust to the placement of certain settings and features. Updates and software support are expected to be adequate, though ZTE's track record with software updates has been mixed in the past.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A72 offers a solid software and user interface experience that should satisfy most users. The extensive customization options and clean interface make it a joy to use, though some may miss certain features available on other devices.

Camera

The ZTE Blade A72 5G comes with a triple camera setup at the back, which includes a 13 MP primary sensor, a 2 MP macro sensor, and a 2 MP depth sensor. The camera app interface is user-friendly, and it offers a range of features, including Pro mode, Night mode, Panorama, and more.

In well-lit conditions, the primary camera takes decent shots with good detail and color reproduction. However, in low light conditions, the images tend to have more noise and grain, which is a common issue with budget smartphones.

The macro sensor is a useful addition that allows for close-up shots with impressive detail and clarity. The depth sensor also works well and provides a good bokeh effect for portrait shots.

Video recording can be done up to 1080p at 30fps and offers decent quality. However, the lack of stabilization can lead to shaky footage.

The front-facing camera is a 5 MP sensor that takes average quality selfies with a beauty mode that can be adjusted to personal preference.

Overall, the camera setup on the ZTE Blade A72 5G is suitable for casual photography and offers decent performance in good lighting conditions. However, it may not be the best option for photography enthusiasts or those looking for exceptional low-light performance.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The ZTE Blade A72 boasts impressive connectivity and networking features that make it a reliable device for daily use. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring that you can stay connected to the internet and your loved ones no matter where you are.

The phone also features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to easily connect to other devices and share files seamlessly. While it does not support NFC and wireless payments, this feature is not a dealbreaker considering the phone's affordable price point.

GPS and navigation accuracy are also top-notch on this device, making it a great choice for those who rely on their phones for navigation. The availability of sensors such as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, and proximity sensor adds an extra layer of security and convenience to the device.

In terms of cellular network compatibility, the ZTE Blade A72 is compatible with most carriers, making it a versatile choice for all sorts of users. It is also USB Type-C 2.0 and OTG compatible, allowing for fast data transfer and charging.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features on the ZTE Blade A72 are impressive and make it a reliable and functional device for daily use. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices, it offers solid connectivity and networking capabilities at an affordable price point.

Additional Features

IX. Additional Features

The ZTE Blade A72 5G offers a range of additional features that enhance the overall experience of using the device. Here are some of the standout features:

A. Water and Dust Resistance
The ZTE Blade A72 5G comes with an IP52 rating for water and dust resistance. This means that the device is protected against limited dust ingress and water droplets falling at an angle of up to 15 degrees.

B. Expandable Storage Options
The device offers expandable storage options of up to 256GB. This allows users to store more photos, videos, and other media files without worrying about running out of space.

C. Audio Quality and Headphone Jack
The ZTE Blade A72 5G features a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to connect to a wide range of audio devices. The device also comes with a loudspeaker that delivers clear and crisp audio quality.

D. Speaker Performance
The ZTE Blade A72 5G comes with a single loudspeaker located at the bottom of the device. The speaker produces clear and loud audio, making it ideal for watching videos or listening to music.

E. Other Unique Features or Innovations
The device comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that provides easy and secure access to the device. Additionally, it features OTG (On-The-Go) support, allowing users to connect external devices such as USB drives or game controllers to the device.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A72 5G offers a range of additional features that make it a versatile and user-friendly device. Its water and dust resistance, expandable storage options, audio quality, and unique features such as the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and OTG support make it stand out from other devices in its class.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Blade A72 with other related phones in the market, it's essential to consider its price point and features. One of its closest competitors is the Redmi Note 10S, which has a similar price point and offers slightly better camera performance. The Note 10S also has a slightly more powerful processor and a higher resolution display, but the Blade A72 has a much larger battery.

The Realme 8 5G is another comparable device, offering similar specifications such as a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display and a 5,000mAh battery. However, the Blade A72 has a more powerful processor and a more versatile camera setup with a dedicated macro lens.

For those seeking a more premium device, the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a comparable display and camera setup, but at a much higher price point. The A52 also has a more powerful processor and 5G connectivity, but the Blade A72 has a larger battery capacity.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A72 offers a solid combination of features and performance at an affordable price point, making it a compelling option for those on a budget. However, those seeking a more powerful or premium device may want to consider other options in the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A72 is a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers impressive features and performance. With its 6.75-inch 90Hz IPS LCD display, Unisoc SC9863A processor, and 6000mAh battery, this device is a great option for users who want a reliable smartphone that can handle their daily tasks with ease.

The camera setup is decent, with a triple rear camera featuring a 13MP main sensor, while the front-facing camera is a 5MP shooter. While the phone's design and build quality are not the most premium, it is durable and comfortable to hold, making it a suitable option for users who prioritize functionality over aesthetics.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A72 is a great choice for users who want an affordable smartphone that delivers reliable performance and features. However, users who prioritize camera performance and premium design may want to consider other options in the market.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly device that offers great value for money, the ZTE Blade A72 is definitely worth considering.