ZTE Blade V7, we have tested it

[rwp-review-recap id = ”0 ″]

The opinion of our readers

[rwp-users-rating-stars id = ”0 ″]

Leave your vote

Summary

With the new ZTE Blade V7, the Asian giant takes a quality leap. A step forward in a design that brings you closer to the higher-end models. If on the outside it has seduced us, on the inside we must be aware that for a mid-range mobile it has everything we expect and something more. Its 5.2-inch screen and Full HD resolution is another thing that we really liked. In short, a great option for those who are looking for a phone in condition, simple and effective and are not willing to throw the house out the window.

With the new ZTE Blade V7, the Chinese company allows us to access the ideal mid-range mobile prototype. A slim and elegant design phone with a 5.2-inch screen. Mobile works by a processor of 8 cores  and 2GB of RAM. We can put in one or two phone numbers ( DualSIM ) and it is equipped with two cameras. The rear 13 MPixels and the front (for selfies ) 5 MPixels . All this, plus the fast charge , for 230 euros . In short, a mobile designed for the vast majority, above all, for those who are looking for an efficient phone, without complications and that does not go over the price. And it is that, this V7 has a price more than adjusted for its benefits.

After testing the new Blade V7 for a few days ,  I found it to be one of the most interesting phones in its price range. Next I tell you why with arguments and data.

A fine, spectacular and elegant design

ZTE is one of those brands that is betting more and more on design. Many consumers fall in love with a phone for its looks. Obviously the interior must accompany, but more and more importance is given to the exterior ' look '. For this reason, the Asian firm is designing models that at first glance seem more high-end than average, although their price and characteristics are more moderate.

ZTE Blade V7 is the perfect mid-range mobile for those who want to show off their phone without spending a lot of money . After holding it in hand, the first thing that caught my attention is its ergonomics. This is combined with strong glass on the front, leaving a slim and elegant terminal . The ZTE Blade V7 bets on two different configurations, one in metallic gray and the other in gold .

All this with a slim body with a thickness of just 7.5 millimeters and a weight of 136 grams . A very light design that seduces. In this  ZTE Blade V7  we find a circular button, illuminated in blue, which is used to return to the main screen. Next to it, a little dot, also blue, that will help us close the windows that we have open simply and quickly. In the upper front part we will see the notification LED  , the flash for selfies and the earpiece for calls.

As for the sides, the layout is exactly the same as in the Blade V6  ( ZTE's previous model ). On the right side we find the two slots to insert the SIM card and the microSD for memory expansion, or to exercise the DualSim function if we want to have two numbers in a single mobile. On the left side we will see the volume control. At the bottom, as usual, centered, is the microUSB input for the charger and on both sides, the speakers. Finally, at the top is the headphone jack if we want to listen in privacy.

The rear is minimalist and elegant. Below we have the signature of the MunichDesignCenter , the designers of the mobile. In the center,  ZTE , and above the camera, with a dual LED flash  that we will give a good account of in the camera analysis section.

5.2-inch Full HD display

With regard to the screen, the first thing that jumps out is its 5.2 inches , more than considerable size, on an IPS panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels , ie Full HD resolution with a 424 pixels per inch ratio . It is true that there are better resolutions on the market but let's not forget that this is a mid-range phone, for which it is more than enough. In addition, the 2.5D technology with the slightly curved glass will allow us to achieve a more than acceptable definition. Let's not forget that it is a super retina, with which, it is not only a question of a higher resolution, but a more specific technical definition.

On the other hand, we have a ratio of around 78 percent, which means that the screen itself occupies 78 percent of the front surface . This will allow us to enjoy a good level of detail in all types of content, be it apps, games or videos and movies. One thing to keep in mind is that the buttons are off the screen, which allows full use of the aforementioned surface. The ZTE Blade V7 has achieved this impression by reducing the side panel frames. Another consequence of this fact is that it can be easily used with one hand, a feature that is increasingly demanded by users. Of course, if we only stop at the design and the screen, the phone is placed at the top of the mid-range mobiles.

Processor, RAM and performance

The new ZTE Blade V7 comes equipped with an eight-core, 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 processor clocked at 1.3 GHz per core . Without a doubt, we are facing a correct processor so that most of the applications work without problems. MediaTek is improving its processors a lot, which, although it is not snapdragon , it deserves a vote of confidence. How's RAM going ? Well, it has 2GB , enough for everything to run smoothly. In terms of storage, the Blade V7 has 16 GB , which is logical if we think that it is a mid-range phone. Of course, through a microSD we canincrease the space up to 32 GB, so it will not be a problem when saving photos, videos, music and other files of our interest.

The phone responds very well to complex circumstances such as games, offering a great endurance capacity. If we take the AnTuTu power test as a reference , our terminal appears in a more than worthy 30th position with 36,867 points.

Below we show you the results of the Geekbench 3 power test , where we can verify that the new ZTE Blade V7 occupies a logical place for mid-range mobiles: considering the performance of the cores separately, it is in thirteenth place, but if we consider the performance of the processor as a whole, it stands out a lot more to reach a creditable sixth place. As seen in the image, Geekbench 3 gives the Blade V7 a score of 615 for Single-Core and 2746 for Multi-Core .

To underpin the issue of team power, we have taken the license to download the mythical game Slither.io and the truth is that the results are excellent both in download speed and resolution. In addition, it did not affect the speed of the terminal at any time.

In summary, although it is a very typical technical compendium of mid-range smartphones, without a doubt, although without fanfare, we will get to run the vast majority of applications and games that we have available on Android without any drops in performance. By the way, we have not said that this ZTE Blade V7 has hit the market with the latest version of Android available, Android 6.0 Marshmallow . Good news without a doubt.

A camera more than enough for almost all audiences

Now is the time to talk about the camera, a function that has taken on vital importance when buying a phone, to the point that for many, their camera is the camera that comes with their smartphone, displacing others cameras that were used a lot on travel before.

The ZTE Blade V7 presents typical mid-range features, but with endless modes and effects that for the average user should be more than enough . In the absence of one, this new model has two cameras. The rear and main 13 megapixel and dual-tone LED flash achieves great definition. This is mainly due to a PDAF phase detection autofocus , capable of centering scenes in just 0.3 seconds . As we said, it also integrates a dual-tone flash that serves to achieve more natural colors when we take our photos at night.

As for its front camera , the ZTE's lens reaches a resolution of 5 megapixels.  Although it does not have a flash itself, the phone takes advantage of the maximum brightness of the screen to cause a similar effect, so do not fear if you want to take a selfie and it is at night, you will be illuminated.

Tangled between the effects proposed by the camera of this ZTE Blade V7 , we find very curious modes, such as the smile shot . It is a sensor that detects when you smile to take the photo. Another very peculiar effect, now that selfies are so fashionable , is the beauty mode, which will blur our skin and give us a special texture to look better than ever in the famous selfies .

Without clicking on the different available filters before taking a snapshot, we will find the precious effect, the film effect, the sepia effect, the cool effect, the normal one, the mono effect, the memory effect, the water effect or the attractive effect .

But the thing is not there, since there are countless other ways that you will love. If we enter scene mode, located in the camera settings, directly in the application, we will see many options:  automatic mode, night mode, sunset mode, party mode, portrait mode, landscape mode, night portrait mode, cinema mode, mode beach, snow mode, continuous photography mode, fireworks mode, action mode and candlelight mode . As you will see, it is designed to be able to capture almost any situation in which we find ourselves.

As for video, you can record in HD, up to 1080p . It should be noted that the vast majority of modes and effects are also available on the front camera. If we have to fault this camera, it may be at nightfall. In low-light points, photos are not very high-quality, unless the light from a street lamp is pointing directly at the lens.

A battery that performs more than it seems, with the novelty of fast charging

When we buy a smartphone, one of the features that we are always most concerned about is the battery. Will it hold me all day? How long does it take to fully charge? The new ZTE Blade V7 has a 2500 milliamp hour battery. What does this mean? Well, although on paper it seems very little (many mid-range mobiles are taking 3000 mAh batteries ), with this screen that we said was 5.2 inches and the eight-core processor, it is quite well served to last a full day to normal use.

In addition, to be a mid-range mobile, the Blade V7 has an additional function of those that users like a lot: Fast charging , whose effect, as its name suggests, is that a lot of battery is charged in a short time . This feature is designed to get us out of a pinch. It has probably happened to you that you come home from work, with a very drained battery after a long day, but you have to get ready to go to dinner. Well, with the fast charge function it will get you out of trouble. It should be noted that the battery is integrated into the phone, that is, it is not removable.

After loading the new ZTE Blade V7 we have been able to find some curiosities that are sure to attract attention. For example, while you are charging it, in addition to indicating the percentage of the battery that has been charged, it also indicates the exact time left for the battery to be fully charged, a curious fact that will allow us to organize ourselves according to the rush we are in. Another very useful feature is found in settings if we enter the section dedicated to the battery. It breaks down which applications or functions the battery is spent on and the percentage of spending for each one. This will be of great help to us to detect those applications that melt the battery when leaving them open even if we are not using it, or what percentage of it eats us if we connect to a networkWIFI .

Another curiosity that draws attention is found once one hundred percent of the load is completed. At that time, the terminal recommends that we keep it connected to the current for about ten more minutes (It can be seen in the image above). The objective is none other than to carry out maintenance tasks that will allow the battery to last a little longer.

To finish the analysis of the battery, it should be mentioned that the AnTuTu Tester power test surpasses it with a note, obtaining an honorable fourth place and 6455 points. In short, for an average user who gives it normal use, surfing from time to time, a bit of WhatsApp , social networks and a little time to vent with some of the Android games , it will arrive without too much trouble at the end of the day. If, on the other hand, you are one of those who demands a lot from your smartphone, it may be worth looking for a model with greater autonomy.

The most typical applications, as standard

In the applications section, the new ZTE Blade V7 comes very well prepared, since the typical applications that one download as soon as a smartphone is released, most of them are already incorporated here. Thus, as in any Android device , we find first of all, the Google applications : the search engine, Google Chrome, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Drive, Play Music, Play Movies, Photos and Hangouts .

Nowadays everything revolves around social networks, so the Facebook applications could not be missing as standard , with their corresponding Facebook Messenguer, Instagram or Twitter. It goes without saying that all these applications that come standard, in case they do not interest us, we can eliminate them forever from our terminal. But for the vast majority they will be very useful.

The new ZTE Blade V7 also has other applications that will surely be great for us such as FM Radio , calculator, calendar, Android application store (Play Store) , clock, which we can configure according to the country in the world that we are interested or the email application, where to synchronize our email, the application to make backup copies ...

As a novelty, this Blade V7 from the Asian company incorporates two rather curious applications. The Avast Mobile Security antivirus , to control that the terminal is not infected, or Clean Master , which helps us clean the phone so that it is not saturated with data or applications that we do not use.

Connectivity and some conclusions

In terms of connectivity, the new ZTE Blade V7 is perfectly adapted to the new times. Although the  NFC and a fingerprint sensor are missed, something that mid-range terminals are beginning to incorporate, the truth is that it comes quite complete. It is equipped with WIFI 802.11 / b / g / n and WIFI Direct OTG , Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with A-GPS support or LTE connectivity . Of course, it has 3G and 4G coverage to enjoy the mobile Internet network and you can also share your network and create WIFI zones . Finally, say that it has a microUSB connection and, as we said before, FM radio.

Recapping a little, with the new ZTE Blade V7, the Asian giant, takes a quality leap. A step forward in a design that brings it closer to the higher-end models. If on the outside it has seduced us, on the inside we must be aware that for it to be a mid-range mobile it has everything we expect and something more. Its 5.2-inch screen and Full HD resolution is another thing that we really liked. In short, a great option for those who are looking for a phone in condition, simple and effective and are not willing to throw the house out the window. From this week it is available in Spain with a  free recommended price of 230 euros .

ZTE Blade V7 strengths

Sleek and attractive design

Full HD resolution on 5.2-inch screen

Quick Charge option (fast charge)

13 MPixel main camera with various modes and effects

Front camera, for selfies 5 MPixels

""

Could improve ”¦

Does not include fingerprint reader or NFC

We must choose between DualSim or expand the memory. One thing or another

[rwp-review-form id = ”0 ″]

ZTE Blade V7

screen

Design

Camera

Multimedia

software

Power

Memory

Connections

Autonomy

+ info

Price: 229  

[rwp-review-ratings id = ”0 ″]