Zte Blade X1 5G 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 X1 5G is a mid-range smartphone that offers 5G connectivity at an affordable price. It features a sleek design, a powerful Snapdragon 765G processor, and a versatile quad-camera setup. With its large display and ample storage, it aims to provide a great user experience for multimedia consumption and multitasking. However, it does have some shortcomings, such as being stuck on Android 10 and lacking some premium features like Gorilla Glass protection. Overall, it is a decent option for those looking for a budget-friendly 5G device.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade X1 5G has a modern design with a glass front, a plastic back, and a plastic frame. It has a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering good color reproduction and sharpness. The device feels comfortable to hold, thanks to its slim profile and rounded edges. However, the plastic back can attract fingerprints easily. It features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking. Overall, the design is functional and pleasing, but it lacks the premium feel of devices with glass or metal construction.

Display

The ZTE Blade X1 5G sports a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The screen offers good color reproduction and sharpness, making it suitable for multimedia consumption and gaming. It has a decent screen-to-body ratio, with slim bezels and a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera. However, the display lacks high refresh rate support, limiting its smoothness during scrolling and gaming compared to devices with higher refresh rates. Overall, it is a decent display for everyday use, but not the best for those who prioritize smoothness.

Performance

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset and 6GB of RAM, the ZTE Blade X1 5G delivers smooth performance for most day-to-day tasks. The octa-core processor ensures snappy app launches and smooth multitasking. It can handle graphically demanding games with ease, thanks to the Adreno 620 GPU. The 128GB of internal storage provides ample space for apps, media, and files. However, it is worth noting that the device runs on Android 10 out of the box and lacks the latest software updates, which may affect long-term performance and compatibility with newer apps.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade X1 5G runs on Android 10 with ZTE's custom user interface on top. The software experience is relatively clean and close to stock Android, with minimal bloatware and unnecessary pre-installed apps. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced Android users. However, the lack of software updates is a downside, as it means missing out on the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes that newer versions of Android offer.

Camera

The ZTE Blade X1 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, consisting of a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera captures detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions, while the ultrawide camera allows for wider-angle shots. The macro camera is useful for close-up photography, but the quality may not be as impressive as the main camera. The depth sensor helps in achieving better bokeh effects in portrait mode. The 16MP front camera captures decent selfies with accurate colors and good detail. Overall, the camera system offers a good shooting experience for a mid-range device.

Battery Life

The ZTE Blade X1 5G is equipped with a 4000mAh non-removable battery, which provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use. However, heavy users may find the need to recharge before the day ends. The device supports 18W wired charging, which is relatively fast for a mid-range device. It does not support wireless charging, which may disappoint some users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.

Connectivity and Networking

As the name suggests, the ZTE Blade X1 5G supports 5G connectivity, allowing for faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. It also supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring compatibility with various carriers. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS. The device has a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for users who still prefer wired audio.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

Compared to its competitors in the mid-range segment, the ZTE Blade X1 5G offers a compelling package. Its Snapdragon 765G processor provides good performance and 5G connectivity, which is not commonly found in devices at this price point. The quad-camera setup offers versatility, although the image quality may not be on par with some flagship devices. It has a decent display for multimedia consumption, but lacks high refresh rate support. The battery life is average for its class, and the software experience is relatively clean but lacks the latest updates. Overall, it offers a good balance of features and affordability.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

The ZTE Blade X1 5G offers good value for its price, providing 5G connectivity and a powerful processor in a mid-range package. It has a versatile camera system, ample storage space, and a clean software experience. However, it is held back by its outdated Android version, lack of premium features like Gorilla Glass protection, and average battery life. If you prioritize 5G connectivity and performance over the latest software updates and premium build quality, the ZTE Blade X1 5G is worth considering.