Table of contents:
- ZTE Blade V9 Gallery
- ZTE Blade V9 Specifications
- ZTE Blade V9 design
- Borderless, high-resolution display
- Amazing performance
- Cameras, the key point of the ZTE Blade V9
- Gallery of photos taken with the ZTE Blade V9
- A dual main camera with great options
- Selfies and effects with the front camera
- Selfies taken with the ZTE Blade V9
- Video taken with the main camera
- Video taken with the front camera
- Night video
- Notable battery and connectivity for the Blade V9
- Android Oreo for the ZTE Blade V9
- Final opinion
- The best of the ZTE Blade V9
- The worst of the ZTE Blade V9
As a preamble to the Mobile World Congress, the ZTE brand has officially presented its bet for the mid-range during 2018. We are talking, of course, about the ZTE Blade V9. This 5.7-inch terminal promises to give a lot to talk about throughout the year, and from tuexperto.com we wanted to check it out.
And it is that from ZTE they have offered us the opportunity to try it to bring you some first impressions about the terminal. Therefore, below, we present the review of the ZTE Blade V9. In general, we can say that the mobile is more than compliant and promises to stand out among the competitors in its range. This device will arrive on the Spanish market throughout the spring, with a price of 270 euros.
ZTE Blade V9 Gallery
For this review, the version that has been taken as a reference for our opinions is the Blade V9 with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. We will try to discover, then, if the terminal is really worth it, compared to the current market of its range.
ZTE Blade V9 Specifications
| screen | 5.7-inch Full HD +, 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, 18: 9 aspect ratio | |
| Main chamber | 16 MP + 5 MP, f / 1.8, video in 1080p and 30fps | |
| Camera for selfies | 13 MP, f / 2.0, video in 1080p and 30fps | |
| Internal memory | 16, 32 and 64 GB | |
| Extension | With micro SD cards, up to 256 GB | |
| Processor and RAM | Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 with eight cores and 2/3/4 GB of RAM | |
| Drums | 3,200 mAh | |
| Operating system | Android 8.1 Oreo | |
| Connections | 4G, WiFi 802.11b / g / n, BT 4.2, GPS, micro USB, 3.5 mm jack, NFC | |
| SIM | nanoSIM (Dual SIM) | |
| Design | Aluminum and glass, 2.5D | |
| Dimensions | 151.4 x 70.6 x 7.5 millimeters and 140 grams | |
| Featured Features | Dual main camera, fingerprint sensor | |
| Release date | Determined | |
| Price | 270 euros (version with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage) |
ZTE Blade V9 design
In terms of design, the Blade V9 can be said to exude elegance. Following the line of the most current designs, the mix of aluminum and 2.5D glass results in a great finish, which surprises a lot in the grip of the device.
And, with regard to the latter, the dimensions and weight of the ZTE Blade V9 have been decided with the user's comfort in mind. The measurements of the terminal, together with its 140 grams of weight, provide a great hold of the device at hand. As a last note of the front design, the reduced edges stand out, which we are used to seeing more and more.
On the back of the phone, we find the dual dual camera, located in the upper left. In a more central point, just above the brand's logo, the fingerprint sensor appears. It is appreciated that the position of the sensor is very comfortable to access the phone, since it allows us to unlock it without forcing too much any position with the hand.
Borderless, high-resolution display
The screen of the ZTE Blade V9 is one of the strengths of the phone. Although it does not stand out among the best on the market, it does so in relation to the other devices in its range. We are talking about a 5.7-inch Full HD + screen, with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, and an aspect ratio of 18: 9.
The impression that the Blade V9 leaves in terms of the touch of the screen is very satisfactory. In terms of brightness, the device responds quite quickly to changes in light in the environment when it is in automatic mode, and the brightness does not bother at any time, since we will never see the screen too bright or too dark.
Amazing performance
When reading the technical specifications of the ZTE Blade V9 for the first time, many will think that it lags behind the similar terminals in its range. But nothing beyond reality. And it is that from the Chinese brand they have known how to make the most of the components of this terminal.
The processor chosen for the Blade V9 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core. This processor is accompanied, in the version we have tested, 3 GB of RAM. As we've said, both specs may seem like a weakness in the device, considering current mid-range phones. Nevertheless, the ZTE Blade V9 performs perfectly when put to the test, with exquisite fluidity in the most powerful games.
For those who need more technical information, we have to comment that the performance of the processor stands out mainly in processes that require more than one core, over the single-core processes of our phone. But if this information is not enough, then we can see the results of the ZTE Blade V9 in the Geekbech and Antutu benchmarks.
Cameras, the key point of the ZTE Blade V9
After reviewing the terminal, we can say that the main feature of the ZTE Blade V9 is its cameras. In particular, the one that attracts the most attention is the main camera. As we have commented with the power, the cameras have achieved a more than remarkable performance.
Gallery of photos taken with the ZTE Blade V9
A dual main camera with great options
The ZTE Blade V9 has a dual rear sensor, 16 and 5 megapixels respectively, and the focal aperture is f / 1.8. What does this translate to? Well, in photos at the height of the high-end. The terminal's main camera is quite surprising, since at no time is it expected that, being a mid-range terminal, it reaches such a quality. How is this possible?
As in the power, the camera also shows the pampering of the Chinese brand. And it is that the performance of the sensors is rushed to the maximum, since the lenses have been taken full advantage of. Being a terminal with Android 8 Oreo, from ZTE they have decided that Google's generic camera application is the one that accompanies the device by default. However, this app is one of the best options to take our photos. In addition, the phone includes the Legacy version of Camera2, which will provide us with functions such as manual mode in focus or white balance.
Selfies and effects with the front camera
The Blade V9's front camera has 13 megapixels and a focal aperture of f / 2.0; specifications suitable for the range. Still, the selfie sensor's biggest drawback is the lack of a front flash. In any case, through the Google camera app, the screen will light up to simulate a flash effect and thus make up for the lack of it.
As for the functionalities that the Google camera offers us, we find the different modes of the camera in Android Oreo. Options such as HDR and Smart HDR, motion captures, or real-time effects. To all this, the different camera modes are added: normal photos, portrait mode, or bokeh in the main interface, in addition to panorama mode, long exposure mode or splash mode among others.
Selfies taken with the ZTE Blade V9
In short, both the main and front cameras of the ZTE Blade V9 have quality to spare for our photos. In terms of video, it is not short either. Both cameras have 1080p video recording, although 60fps recording is missed as it only has 30fps maximum. This does not mean, on the contrary, that the result of the videos is bad, as the Blade V9 is capable of capturing good quality videos. Of course, as long as it is daytime or in good light conditions. If at any time we want to record with a poor light source, the result loses quality and the camera may have problems focusing correctly.
Video taken with the main camera
Video taken with the front camera
Night video
Notable battery and connectivity for the Blade V9
Before we talked about the great effort that ZTE has made to take full advantage of the terminal's features. Both in the camera and in the performance and power of the terminal, this effort has been noticed. However, a mobile cannot be used if it does not have a durable battery. Fortunately, this is not the case with the Blade V9, which with 3100 mAh, can last a whole day without problems. In the Antutu battery test that has been carried out on the terminal, we see that its score is 9983 points. This translates into, as we have already mentioned, a more than acceptable battery life. However, we miss the fast charging that other brands have used to.
And if we have commented on the great importance of the battery, the terminal connections are not far behind. The connectivity of the ZTE Blade V9 is very satisfactory, since its wide 4G coverage and its wide range of WiFi (WiFi 802.11 b / g / n) maintain a good signal strength at all times. To these connections are added Bluetooth 4.2, GPS and NFC, which complete the connectivity of the terminal in terms of wireless connections.
It is important to note that the Blade V9 can house up to two nano SIMs inside. However, if we want to insert a micro SD card, we will have to sacrifice one of the spaces for SIM. A micro USB input and a 3.5mm minijack input complete this connectivity section of the ZTE Blade V9.
Android Oreo for the ZTE Blade V9
The Blade V9 comes with Android 8.1 as standard. This implies that all the functionalities of this new version will be included in the device. However, we have noticed the occasional drop in performance when performing basic actions with the terminal. And although these slowdowns are not a serious problem, they can be a bit annoying. Still, these slowdowns are expected to disappear with patches and updates. And you have to remember that the phone is new.
Final opinion
Now comes the most important thing. Has the ZTE Blade V9 convinced us? The short answer is yes. And, after testing the operation of the phone, we can say that it meets expectations perfectly. The ZTE Blade V9 is a mobile with humble characteristics, but with nothing to envy the rest of the mid-range. The screen and cameras of the Blade V9 have been able to surprise us with their good performance, and the design has absolutely convinced us. If what you are looking for is a simple phone, but something powerful, and cheaper than high-end terminals, the ZTE Blade V9 should be among your options.
The best of the ZTE Blade V9
Its design, comfortable in the hand
The double main chamber
Android Oreo 8.1
Battery life and connectivity
The worst of the ZTE Blade V9
Acceptable but very tight performance
The quality of photos and videos at night or in low light
It is not resistant to water, splashes, or dust
Some minor slowdowns during basic use
