ZTE Blade V60 review
The ZTE Blade V60 is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch in its price range. With a launch price of 2,499 pesos in Mexico, this device offers impressive specs for the money. The phone features a 6.6-inch HD+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 50-megapixel primary camera, and a large 5,000mAh battery. Powered by an Unisoc T66 processor, this smartphone promises to deliver smooth performance without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The ZTE Blade V60's build quality and design are reflective of its budget-friendly price point. The device is made with simple yet functional materials, showcasing a straightforward approach to construction. Measuring 8.6mm in thickness and weighing approximately 180g, the phone feels sturdy in the hand but lacks the premium feel of more expensive devices. The transparent case included in the box is a nice touch, providing a level of protection without adding too much bulk. However, it's worth noting that this case may not be to everyone's taste due to its flexible and semi-rigid design. The phone itself has a peculiar back design with a small pattern that adds visual texture but feels smooth to the touch. The button layout is standard, with the power button serving as a fingerprint reader on the right side. Unfortunately, the device's bezels are noticeably thick, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer more minimalist designs. While not particularly impressive, the phone's design does show some attention to detail. The LED flash placement creates a visually appealing layout that gives the impression of an advanced camera system – although it only has a 50-megapixel main camera and lacks features like optical zoom. Overall, the ZTE Blade V60's build quality and design are in line with its budget price, offering a no-frills experience for users who prioritize affordability over premium aesthetics.
Battery Life
The ZTE Blade V60's battery life is a notable aspect of its design. The device boasts a 5,000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging. On paper, this sounds like a significant improvement over other budget smartphones. In practice, the battery life of the Blade V60 is decent but not outstanding. It should easily last a day and a half or even two days with moderate use, considering its modest screen size and resolution. However, more demanding users might find themselves needing to top up during the day. One aspect that's worth mentioning is the charging speed, which is relatively quick for a budget device. The 22.5W charger can replenish the battery to around 50% in about an hour, making it a useful feature for those who need to quickly top up on the go. It's also worth noting that while the Blade V60 comes with Android 13 out of the box, its software update history is not entirely clear. This might have implications for how well the device receives future battery-related updates or optimizations. Overall, the battery life of the ZTE Blade V60 feels like a solid compromise between power and price. While it won't win any awards for longevity, it should suffice for most users' daily needs without breaking the bank. As with any smartphone, actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, so your mileage may vary.
Display
The display on the ZTE Blade V60 is a straightforward offering, considering its price point. The 6.6-inch screen boasts an HD+ (720x1600 pixels) resolution and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. While it's not the most impressive display in its class, it does provide a smooth viewing experience. The bezels around the display are noticeably thick, which is something you'd expect from a budget device like this. However, the screen itself is decent, offering good color reproduction and brightness levels. The contrast ratio is also relatively high, making blacks appear deep and rich. One notable feature of the display is its refresh rate. At 90Hz, it provides a fluid viewing experience, making it ideal for gaming and other resource-intensive activities. However, it's worth noting that some users might find the screen to be slightly too bright in certain lighting conditions. In terms of specific performance metrics, the ZTE Blade V60's display scored an average of 228,000 points on AnTuTu benchmarking software. This is a respectable score for a budget device, indicating that the display can handle moderate loads without significant lag or stuttering. Overall, the ZTE Blade V60's display is an unremarkable but adequate offering. It won't blow you away with its performance or features, but it gets the job done in terms of providing a decent viewing experience for everyday activities like browsing, social media, and streaming video content. If you're on a tight budget, this display will likely suffice, but if you're looking for something more premium, you might want to consider other options.
Camera
The camera on the ZTE Blade V60 is a mixed bag. On one hand, it's impressive that a budget device can deliver decent photography results. The main camera boasts 50 megapixels with an f/1.8 aperture, which should provide good image quality. In bright daylight, the camera performs well, capturing sharp images with nice colors. The subject is well-defined, and there's no noticeable noise or grain. However, when taken close-up or in low-light conditions, the results are less impressive. Details get lost, and the image can look somewhat soft. One of the standout features of the ZTE Blade V60's camera is its performance in backlight situations. Despite being a budget device, it manages to balance the light and shadow quite well, producing more natural-looking photos than some other smartphones. However, when using the supposed "artificial intelligence" camera, the results can be hit-or-miss. The camera struggles to detect depth, leading to strange and sometimes artificial-looking results. This is especially noticeable in portrait mode, where the subject's edges can become distorted. Video recording on the ZTE Blade V60 is a different story altogether. It's capable of capturing full HD video at 30fps, which is more than what some budget devices offer. Both the rear and front cameras are capable of recording in this resolution, making it a decent option for casual videographers. Unfortunately, the camera falls short when it comes to zoom capabilities. Using the digital 2x zoom feature produces noticeable pixelation and loss of detail, making it unsuitable for capturing distant subjects or close-ups. In conclusion, while the ZTE Blade V60's camera has its strengths, particularly in bright daylight conditions, it's not without its weaknesses. The AI-powered camera struggles to detect depth, leading to less-than-impressive results, and the digital zoom feature leaves much to be desired. However, considering the device's budget-friendly price tag, the camera is still a welcome addition that delivers decent performance for casual photography needs.
Price and Value
The ZTE Blade V60 is an affordable smartphone that offers a decent set of features without breaking the bank. Priced at 2,499 pesos in Mexico (approximately $120 USD), this device falls into the budget category and aims to provide value for its price. Upon unboxing, you'll find a basic but appreciated package that includes a clear case, a quick start guide, and a charger. The case is simple yet effective, with a transparent design and flexible edges that add some visual appeal to the device. While it's not luxurious, this inclusion shows attention to detail for an inexpensive phone. The ZTE Blade V60 features 128 GB of storage, a 5,000 mAh battery (supporting 22.5 W charging), and Android 13 (with promise of future updates). The device also boasts a quad-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor and an 8MP front camera, both capable of recording full HD video. While the processor is entry-level, it's not surprising given the price. However, benchmark results show that it outperforms some more expensive devices. The device also comes with 4 GB of RAM (with a virtual option for an additional 4 GB), making it suitable for general use cases. Considering its features and performance, the ZTE Blade V60 offers good value for its price. At 2,499 pesos in Mexico, this smartphone is an affordable choice for those seeking basic functionality without overspending. While it may not be a powerhouse, it's a solid option for everyday use, making it worth considering for budget-conscious buyers. Ultimately, the ZTE Blade V60 is a reliable, no-frills phone that delivers on its promises at an attractive price point. Its value lies in providing essential features and performance without breaking the bank, making it a worthwhile purchase for those seeking an affordable smartphone experience.
Performance
The ZTE Blade V60 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts a range of features at an affordable price point. While it may not be the most powerful device in its class, it still manages to deliver decent performance. Under the hood lies the UniSoC T66 processor, which may seem entry-level at first glance. However, in our tests, it surprisingly outperformed some more expensive devices, including those with Mediatek Helio G85 processors. According to Quick Bench results, the Blade V60 scored 377 points in single-core and 1,392 in multicore, making it a respectable performer. In AnTuTu, the device scored around 228,000 points, which is impressive considering its price range. However, this score may not necessarily translate to real-world usage. We've seen devices with lower scores performing better in practical tests due to factors like optimization and software tweaks. The Blade V60's performance is also bolstered by its 4GB of RAM (with an additional 4GB of virtual RAM), which should provide sufficient multitasking capabilities for most users. The 128GB storage, on the other hand, is a welcome addition and should be sufficient for storing apps, photos, and other data. While the ZTE Blade V60's performance may not blow us away, it still manages to deliver decent results considering its price point. It's unlikely to rival more expensive flagships in terms of raw power, but it should be able to handle everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and basic gaming without any issues. Overall, the ZTE Blade V60's performance is a mixed bag. While it may not impress with sheer specs, it still manages to deliver decent results that make it a viable option for budget-conscious buyers. In our full review, we'll dive deeper into its performance and compare it to other devices in its class.