ZTE announced an affordable phablet for T-Mobile and its subsidisary MetroPCS. The ZTE ZMAX, which seems made for folks looking to get a big screen phone “no matter what,” rocks a 5.7-inch display with 720p HD resolution. That’s 1280 x 720 pixels, meaning you’ll pretty much be able to see every single pixel on the screen.
Additionally, this thing also packs Qualcomm’s 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 chip, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage and a 3400 mAh battery, while Android 4.4 KitKat is running the show. In the camera department, we have an 8-megapixel shooter with LED flash on the back that is coupled with a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera. The ZMAX is 8.89mm thick and weighs 156 grams.
“The ZMAX is the latest example of ZTE designing devices with the user in mind,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. “It has more battery life, more screen and more style but it does not cost you more. When customers see the unique look of ZTE smartphones and the technology, they are surprised our phones are a third of the cost of mainstream brands.”
The ZTE ZMAX will come in black color, and will hit T-Mobile starting September 24; users will be able to buy one of these for $0 down payment, plus 24 monthly payments of $10.50 on T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan. MetroPCS customers will also get it but only later in the year.
Our take: the ZTE ZMAX is a compelling product for the price; alas, we’re not sure everyone wants a screen, and consequently phone, this big. If this is your thing and you don’t want to spend a premium on a Samsung, HTC, LG or Apple-made product – ZTE’s baby is definitely worth considering.