ZTE grand memo 2 hands on -CES 2014

ZTE grand memo 2 hands on -CES 2014

The ZTE Grand Memo is the newest entrant into the market between smartphones and tablets called 'phablets'. But with notable brands such as Samsung with its Note range and LG's recently announced Optimus G Pro hitting the market, can the Grand Memo stand up?

Video ZTE grand memo 2 hands on -CES 2014

As the device is work with Android, there's of course a commonality with the features found on other Android handsets. All the same, ZTE has tweaked the interface somewhat to add additional features and make the handset a little simpler to use.

Features ZTE grand memo 2: 

The Grand Memo is ZTE’s flagship smartphone, sporting a quad-core Qualcomm chip (running at an undisclosed clock speed), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of on-board storage, and a 3,200 mAh battery. Lots of bells and whistles, with the requisite sensors and radios, and a rather impressive 13 megapixel rear facing camera. Totally running underneath a 5.7-inch TFT HD display. The display isn't full HD, only 720p here, but its 257 pixels per inch provides a decent viewing experience.

With its quad-core CPU and 13-megapixel camera, it flaunts respectable specs. Currently, there are no plans as yet to bring the Grand Memo to the U.S. Given ZTE's history of manufacturing competitively priced phones here, it would be interesting to see if the Memo were to launch on our shore as the phablet for those on a budget. But until it debuts overseas, however, we will just have to wait and see how well it is received.

GOOD…but, nothing here to differentiate it from the pack of “me too’s” running wild through the halls of Mobile World Congress. In practice, the smartphone is slick and responsive, though ZTE’s version of Android 4.1.2 seems to add more confusion than functionality. The manufacturer’s skin shoots deep into the OS, with almost every stock Android app replaced with some bizarre-looking ZTE variant.

For example, tapping the icon on the lock screen brings up a list of shortcuts you can launch directly (pictured) whereas holding the icon down unlocks the device and opens to the home screen.