New ZTE Max XL Smartphone Delivers Higher-End Features at a Low Price

The Android mobile device market is becoming increasingly crowded with big-screen smartphones, and ZTE Max XL is the latest. It comes with a 6-inch screen, making it slightly larger than the 5.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S8 and just a tad smaller than the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+. This handset runs Android Nougat and comes with an octa-core processor. There’s even a big battery that should allow users to talk for more than a day on a single charge. But the ZTE Max XL’s best feature is its price. At $130, the Chinese device maker’s handset has instantly become an attractive option for those who want high-end features at a budget price. This slide show will cover discuss all of its features and why the ZTE Max XL could be a good buy.

The device comes with a 6-inch touch-screen that will deliver full-HD resolution. According to ZTE, the screen is comprised of Corning’s Gorilla Glass technology to protect it from falls.

Unlike so many other cheap smartphones that come with outdated Android versions, the ZTE Max XL ships with the latest Google operating system version, Android Nougat 7.1.1. Users will have access to the latest features and, perhaps most importantly, all the critical security updates.

The ZTE Max XL ships with a 1.4GHz octa-core processor. ZTE didn’t identify what kind of processor the smartphone uses, but it’s likely a midrange chip delivering adequate power for basic apps. Those who want to the latest, most sophisticated apps, however, might not be pleased with the user experience.

ZTE’s handset ships with a surprisingly large, 3,990mAh battery pack. That, coupled with chip design efficiencies and the Android OS, means the handset should last more than 26 hours on a single charge during continuous talk time.

ZTE didn’t cut corners with the handset’s cameras. On the front is a 5-megapixel sensor and a 13-megapixel sensor is on the back. Those cameras might not match those users would find from the dual-pixel cameras on the Galaxy S8, but they should suffice for most uses.

In some low-cost smartphones, security can take a back seat to keep the price low. However, the ZTE Max XL ships with a built-in fingerprint sensor, allowing users to secure data on the device. High-end handsets all come with the feature, but it’s nice to see the budget Max XL offer it, too.

Storage opportunities in the ZTE Max XL are a bit of a mixed bag. The device has a rather disappointing 16GB of onboard storage, but it ships with a microSD port that can accommodate storage up to 128GB.

ZTE has limited which carriers can offer the Max XL. Currently, the device is available only at prepaid wireless carrier Boost Mobile. ZTE has plans to offer the smartphone to Sprint customers, and a Virgin Mobile version is also on the way, according to the company.

ZTE is a relatively new entrant into the American smartphone market that’s trying to build market share. ZTE is a China-based company that makes a range of mobile devices, telecommunications equipment and other products. The company’s ZTE U.S. division, which is based in Texas, develops low-cost smartphones for carriers and for itself.

ZTE’s Max XL is an exceedingly affordable device that costs $130 unlocked. That makes the device substantially cheaper than other big-screen smartphones. Customers who buy the handset now at Boost Mobile can take advantage of a “promotional discount” and buy it for $102.