ZTE continues its push into the U.S. with two new smartphones: the Grand X3 and the Avid Plus, both of which are headed to networks in the coming months. While neither come close to the premium heights of ZTE’s recent new Axon smartphones, both are affordable devices available without signing up for a lengthy contract, so they are worth examining if you’re on the lookout for a bargain.
The Grand X3 costs a mere $130 contract-free, and in keeping with current trends, has a whopping 5.5-inch display, just like the considerably more expensive Axon and Axon Elite. However, that’s where the similarities end — this is a low-cost phone, after all. The display has a 720p resolution, and the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor inside runs at 1.3GHz, but there is 2GB of RAM to speed things along. A welcome MicroSD card slot gives the 16GB of internal memory a boost.
ZTE’s given the Grand X3 to Cricket Wireless, where it’ll connect to its 4G LTE network, and equipped it with a big 3,080mAh battery. The phone has a USB Type-C connector and a fast-charging mode, Android 5.1.1, and Dolby Plus audio software. There are two cameras, an 8 megapixel on the rear, and a 2 megapixel on the front.
Moving on to the Avid Plus, this little phone will be sold on the T-Mobile and MetroPCS networks. Now the price is out, and it won’t break the bank. T-Mobile will sell the Avid Plus online and in stores beginning January 20 for $115 or $0 down and 23 monthly payments of $4.80 and a final payment of $4.59.
The device’s 5-inch display has a lowly 854 x 480 pixel resolution, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor runs at 1.1GHz with 1GB of RAM to help it out. A MicroSD card can be used to increase the 8GB of onboard memory. The remaining spec adds a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2.-megapixel front camera, a 2,300mAh battery, and Android 5.1 with ZTE’s usual UI over the top.
