When you think of quad core phones, you automatically imagine a price tag in excess of Php20k. Then there are the local brands that feature low cost quad core chips in their budget smartphones that sell in the neighborhood of Php9k. Sure, there are a few that drop below that price point, but these are usually locally branded phones, which is why it comes as a surprise that the ZTE Blade E with its 1.2GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8625Q processor manages to retail for just Php6,790.
The ZTE Blade E is the bigger brother of the Blade C that launched alongside it. However, it sports some beefier specs, including a 4.5 inch FWVGA screen, the aforementioned quad core processor and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. The specs are fairly decent. It’s still a budget solution, so don’t expect the ZTE Blade E to obliterate existing benchmark records, but it’s more than you would typically expect from anything that costs less than Php9k.
The 4.5 inch screen has a decent pixel density of 233ppi, which should result in great clarity for the price. The fact that it runs Jelly Bean 4.1 is another plus since it brings with it a host of improved functionality and software optimizations that improve user experience. The capable chipset is the frosting that tops this cake, allowing you to do more for the money compared to budget smartphones from more internationally established brands like Samsung or LG.
Of course, there are some compromises. For example, the Blade E only has 512Mb of RAM, which is a shame because Jelly Bean is known for being a RAM hog and multitasking will be greatly hampered by a lack of RAM. Expect a lot of homescreen redraws when you exit out of an app to go back to your homescreen. There’s also the limited 1,600mAh battery, which is pitiful, considering the entry level ZTE Blade C with its dual core processor sports the same capacity battery.
Still, if you’re looking for a workhorse of a smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, the ZTE Blade E is still a decent choice for the price. It gives you all the functionality and performance that you would need, including a 5mp autofocus camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS and 3G. So at Php6,790, are you getting the ZTE Blade E?
ZTE Blade E Specs
- 4.5 inch FWVGA display (480 x 854, 233ppi)
- 1.2GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8625Q processor
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- 512Mb RAM
- 4Gb ROM, expandable up to 32Gb via micro SD
- 5mp rear camera, VGA front camera
- HSDPA
- WiFi b/g/n
- Bluetooth 3.0
- GPS with A-GPS support
- 1,600mAh battery
- Price: Php6,790
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