Zte Blade L9 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 L9 is a budget smartphone that was released on October 10, 2021. It is an affordable option for those who need a basic phone with a few features.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade L9 is a budget-friendly smartphone with a sleek and compact design. The phone measures 137.5 x 67.5 x 10 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.39 in) and weighs only 143 g (5.04 oz), making it easy to hold and carry around. The phone's body is made of plastic, which is not surprising given its price point. However, the device still manages to look premium with its glossy finish and minimalistic design.

The Blade L9's construction feels solid and durable, and its rounded edges make it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The power and volume buttons are located on the right side of the phone and are easy to reach with your thumb. The phone also features a dual-SIM tray on the left side, which is a useful feature for travelers or those who need to use two phone numbers simultaneously.

While the Blade L9's design is impressive for a budget phone, its screen leaves much to be desired. The phone features a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The display's low resolution results in a pixelated and fuzzy image, which may be a deal-breaker for users who prioritize sharp and clear visuals. Additionally, the phone's display is not very bright, making it difficult to use outdoors in direct sunlight.

Overall, the ZTE Blade L9's design and build quality are solid for a budget device. While its plastic construction may not feel as premium as some more expensive phones, the phone's sleek design and comfortable ergonomics make it a pleasure to use. However, the phone's low-resolution screen may be a deal-breaker for some users who prioritize visual quality.

Display

The ZTE Blade L9 boasts a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. While this may not be the highest resolution or pixel density, the display still manages to produce decent color accuracy and vibrancy. The screen-to-body ratio of around 69.5% is a little disappointing, but not unexpected for a budget device.

Brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be a challenge, especially in bright sunlight. Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are both acceptable, although not as smooth and precise as more expensive devices.

Overall, the display on the ZTE Blade L9 is decent and gets the job done for everyday use. However, it may not be suitable for those who prioritize visual aesthetics or require a high-resolution display for work or media consumption.

Performance

The ZTE Blade L9 is powered by a Unisoc SC7731e chipset, which is a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and is paired with a Mali-400 MP2 GPU. The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded through a microSDXC card slot.

In terms of performance, the Blade L9 is well-suited for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. However, it may struggle when running multiple apps simultaneously or when running more demanding applications or games.

Benchmark tests reveal that the Blade L9 scores relatively low in comparison to other devices in its price range. The device scores 383 points in single-core and 1,093 points in multi-core on Geekbench 5. Additionally, it scores 23 FPS on GFX Bench Car Chase and 28 FPS on GFX Bench Manhattan 3.1, indicating that it may not be the best choice for gaming enthusiasts.

That being said, real-world usage of the device is relatively smooth and lag-free, provided that users are not running too many apps or demanding applications. The Blade L9 runs on Android 11 (Go edition), which is optimized for devices with lower hardware specifications, providing a relatively smooth and snappy user experience.

Overall, the ZTE Blade L9 is suitable for users who primarily use their device for basic tasks and light gaming. However, those who require more power or performance may want to consider other devices in the same price range.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade L9 runs on Android 11 (Go edition), which is a lightweight version of the Android operating system designed to run on entry-level devices. The user interface is relatively simple and easy to navigate, with a clean and uncluttered look.

Users can customize the home screen with widgets and app shortcuts, and the notification shade provides quick access to frequently used settings. The phone also comes with a range of pre-installed apps, including Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.

One downside to the software is the lack of customization options. The user interface cannot be heavily customized, and there are no themes available to download. Additionally, the device has limited storage space, with only 32GB of internal storage available.

Despite these limitations, the ZTE Blade L9 still offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to use even for those who are not tech-savvy. The phone also receives regular software updates, ensuring that it remains up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.

In conclusion, while the software and user interface of the ZTE Blade L9 may not be the most advanced or customizable, it still provides a straightforward and functional user experience. For users who prioritize ease of use over customizability, this phone may be a good option.

Camera

The ZTE Blade L9 features a single 5MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) rear camera with LED flash and HDR capabilities. While the camera specs may not be impressive on paper, the Blade L9 is still capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions. However, the camera struggles in low light environments resulting in grainy and blurry images.

The camera's zoom capabilities are limited, and the absence of image stabilization makes it challenging to capture steady shots. The Blade L9's video recording quality is also average, with 720p resolution at 30fps. The front-facing camera is a 2MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) shooter which is suitable for basic selfies and video calls.

Overall, the camera performance of the Blade L9 is average at best. While it can capture decent images in favorable lighting conditions, it struggles in low light environments. The lack of image stabilization and limited zoom capabilities makes it challenging to capture steady shots, and the video recording resolution is average. However, considering the phone's price point, the camera performance is reasonable. If you're a photography enthusiast, this phone may not be the best choice for you. But for basic photography needs, it gets the job done.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The ZTE Blade L9 offers a range of connectivity and networking options that make it a versatile and functional device. It supports GSM and HSPA cellular networks, making it compatible with most carriers. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n is available for high-speed internet access, and Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP is included for wireless data transfer and audio streaming.

Unfortunately, NFC is not supported on this device, which means that wireless payments are not possible. However, the Blade L9 does include GPS and GLONASS for accurate location tracking and navigation. The device also has an FM radio, which can be a nice feature for those who enjoy listening to local radio stations.

In terms of sensors, the Blade L9 includes only an accelerometer. This means that it does not have a fingerprint scanner or face unlock feature, which may be disappointing to some users who are accustomed to these conveniences.

Overall, the ZTE Blade L9 provides a solid set of connectivity and networking features, but it does lack some of the more advanced options found on higher-end devices. For those who prioritize basic functionality and affordability over cutting-edge technology, the Blade L9 is a good choice.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade L9 comes with some additional features that are worth noting. Firstly, it does not come with any kind of water or dust resistance, which is a bit of a downside as it means that users will need to be careful when using the device in wet or dusty conditions.

One of the main advantages of this phone is its expandable storage options. With a microSDXC card slot, users can add up to an additional 512GB of storage to the device, giving them plenty of space for all their photos, videos, and apps.

Audio quality on the phone is decent, with a loudspeaker that produces clear and crisp sound. The 3.5mm headphone jack is also a welcome feature, allowing users to plug in their favorite headphones or earbuds for a more immersive audio experience.

The speaker performance on the ZTE Blade L9 is also good, with a clear and loud output that makes it easy to hear notifications, calls, and media playback. Additionally, the device comes with an accelerometer sensor, which allows for various motion-based features and applications.

Overall, while the ZTE Blade L9 does not come with any groundbreaking features, it does offer some useful additions that make it a well-rounded device for its price point.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Blade L9 with other related phones in the market, one of its closest competitors is the Nokia 1.4. Both phones share similar features such as screen size and resolution, battery capacity, and operating system. However, the ZTE Blade L9 has a slightly better processor and camera specifications compared to the Nokia 1.4.

Another phone that can be compared to the ZTE Blade L9 is the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core. Both phones have similar specifications such as screen size, resolution, and battery capacity. However, the ZTE Blade L9 has a better processor and camera specifications, while the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core has a better storage option.

One more phone that can be compared to the ZTE Blade L9 is the LG K3 (2017). Both phones have similar specifications such as screen size, resolution, and camera specifications. However, the ZTE Blade L9 has a better processor and operating system compared to the LG K3 (2017).

Overall, when compared to its competitors, the ZTE Blade L9 stands out with its decent processor and camera specifications. While it may not have the best specifications in the market, it offers good value for its price range.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade L9 is an affordable smartphone that offers decent features for its price range. With its compact size and lightweight build, it is easy to handle and carry around. The display is average, but it gets the job done for everyday use. The performance is satisfactory for basic tasks, but it may struggle with heavier apps and multitasking. The camera is also average, but it produces decent shots in good lighting conditions.

The battery life is not impressive, but it can get through a day with moderate usage. The phone has standard connectivity options, but it lacks NFC and fingerprint sensor. Overall, the ZTE Blade L9 is a good option for those who are on a tight budget and looking for an entry-level smartphone.

However, if you are willing to spend a little more, there are other options available in the market that provide better features and performance. Therefore, if you prioritize performance and features over the price, you may want to consider other alternatives.