Here’s another one from the 6 devices ZTE unveiled for the market recently. The Blade G2 is a mid-range device, and comes with specifications you would expect from a mid-ranger. However, the G2 is among the best priced devices out of those launched by ZTE, carrying a price tag of 11,599 INR and offering a 1GHz quad core processor. The phone will, as we all know, have an array of competitors in the Indian market and will play a key role in determining ZTE’s success in the unforgiving Indian market.
The phone comes with a very decently-sized screen of 4.5 inches, which should make the phone easy to carry around and at the same time, provide good real estate for videos and text.
Camera And Internal Storage
Looks like ZTE is keen on having the same set of cameras across most of their devices; yes, the Blade G2 carries the same set of a 5MP rear and a 0.3MP front camera like we saw on the other releases, the Grand X Quad Lite, the Blade L and Blade E. This is more amusing because of the fact that the devices have quite a bit of a difference between the prices, and yet carry the same set of cameras!
We believe the phones not only use the same resolution on the cameras, but also use the same hardware, from the same OEM which means that the quality of images across the devices should be comparable if not identical.
On the storage front, the ZTE Blade G2 carries what you’d expect from a regular mid-range Chinese device; 4GB of on board storage which can be expanded to 32GB via means of a microSD card. This is an attribute we see on almost all devices coming from Chinese and domestic manufacturers, and something which needs to be improved upon.
The phone also comes with 512MB of RAM which is on the verge of being out dated any moment, however given the price of the phone, it can be accepted.
Processor And Battery
The phone packs a 1GHz quad core processor of unknown make. We suspect the processor to be based on the Cortex A7 architecture, however there is no word on this yet. The phone should be powerful enough for daily tasks but might suffer a bit when hardware intensive apps are being run, due to the lack of sufficient RAM. The phone comes, as mentioned above, with only 512MB of RAM which honestly is not enough to make use of the quad core processor which the Blade G2 has to offer. We would have liked to see 1GB of RAM, albeit with a slightly higher price tag, because that would make the phone a pretty all-round device.
What might be disappointing to some is the inclusion of only a 2000mAh battery. In an age where the average is tending to 3000mAh, ZTE could very well have done better by including a bigger battery, say around the 2500mAh mark. Given the screen size, the 2000mAh battery can be expect to take you through one day but do not expect any miracles.
Display And Features
The device comes with a 4.5 inch screen with a FWVGA resolution of 854×480 pixels. This is a screen size not many mainstream manufacturers use, but in our experience with gadgets, the size is among the best ones to be held and carried around. The device might not have the best pixel density, given the resolution. Keeping in mind the price and what domestic manufacturers are offering in the same range, ZTE definitely loses a point. We would expect a Chinese manufacturer to, in fact, offer more than what Indian manufacturers do, but unfortunately the opposite of that prevails.
A 720p or a qHD 960x540p display would have done more justice to the price of the device, which stands at 11,599 INR.
Comparison
The phone can be compared to various quad core devices in the budget segment in India, like the Micromax Canvas 2 Plus, XOLO Q800, etc.
Key Specs
| Model | ZTE Blade G2 |
| Display | 4.5 inches FVWGA (854×480) |
| Processor | 1 GHz quad core |
| RAM, ROM | 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM expandable up to 32GB |
| OS | Android v4.1 |
| Cameras | 5MP rear, 0.3MP front |
| Battery | 2000 mAh |
| Price | 11,599 INR |
Conclusion
The device does have decent specs, but given the price point, more was expected. Domestic manufacturers are offering better alternatives at the same price, and given that the entry of ZTE of India is as fresh as it gets, we think the phone is over-priced by a small margin. However, ZTE have been known to provide top of the line built quality on their phones, but it remains to be seen of that trait on smartphones is worth paying the premium for, by the average Indian buyer.
However, potential buyers should now write the device off, and at least try to have a hands-on with the device; you never know, you might be in for a sweet surprise.
