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ZTE Grand X Max+ Review
7

Introduction
Fighting in the high-end category of the US smartphone market isn’t necessarily in the pipelines for ZTE, but they’re setting their sights on the entry-level segment. In several years past, ZTE’s line of devices have been relegated to nothing more than these poorly-made, cheap-feeling devices that normally have been rebranded using carrier names – like the AT&T Avail. More recently, however, ZTE has taken appropriate measures in showing consumers that they’re able to deliver quality, entry-level devices that compete nicely against companies with more brand recognition. We’ve seen that ourselves with the ZTE ZMAX over the busy holiday season, but it’s continuing to pick up even more steam with its latest device in the ZTE Grand X Max+.
The package contains:
- microUSB cable
- Wall charger
- Quick start guide
- Terms of service
Design
For an inexpensively priced phone, the ZTE Grand X Max+ feels solid.
Gone is that reputation of making cheap-cheap phones, as the ZTE Grand X Max+ impressively delivers a design that’s not only attractive for an inexpensively priced phone, but it’s also solid in construction to give it the qualities of a high-end device. Indeed, it’s certainly a beefy sized phone, one that requires a wider grip to handle, but for something so grand in size, it somehow manages to sport a relatively svelte profile (0.31-inches) and lightweight feel (172 gr). Mostly constructed from plastic, the uniform nature of its construction is accentuated by the glass covering both the front and back sides of the phone – plus, the carbon fiber-like pattern of the rear adds some style points to the phone.
Its overall size is enough to classify it as a phablet, but it’s certainly not that type of smartphone because of the basic package it offers. Looking around the sides of the phone, it features a 3.5mm headset jack, microphone, microUSB port, SIM slot, microSD slot, volume controls, and a power button. Rounding things out, the rest of its package includes a 13-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash and a front-facing 5-megapixel one.

Dimensions
6.44 x 3.34 x 0.34 inches
163.6 x 84.9 x 8.6 mm
Weight
6.86 oz (194 g)

Dimensions
6.32 x 3.21 x 0.31 inches
160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9 mm
Weight
6.17 oz (175 g)

Dimensions
6.44 x 3.34 x 0.34 inches
163.6 x 84.9 x 8.6 mm
Weight
6.86 oz (194 g)

Dimensions
6.32 x 3.21 x 0.31 inches
160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9 mm
Weight
6.17 oz (175 g)
Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.

Display
Not really a specs beast, the qualities of its display are still commendable.
Although it’s far from reaching the pixel crushing resolutions of today’s flagships, the ZTE Grand X Max+’s 6-inch 720 x 1280 (720p) LCD screen still packs enough reasonable elements that make it usable. Its pixel density count of 245 ppi is insignificant in comparison to other things, but from a normal viewing distance, we can’t complain about how we’re still able to visualize web sites on its screen.
Based on our benchmark tests, the screen has some great qualities, like its color temperature of 6747K and maximum brightness output of 526 nits. Its color reproduction, however, strays a bit off the path with colors such as green and magenta. Regardless of that, the entire package still comes off spiffy looking – especially for a budget-oriented smartphone.
Display measurements and quality
Maximum brightness Higher is better | Minimum brightness (nits) Lower is better | Contrast Higher is better | Color temperature (Kelvins) | Gamma | Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better | Delta E grayscale Lower is better | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZTE Grand X Max+ |
526 (Excellent) |
14 (Poor) |
1:981 (Average) |
6747 (Excellent) |
2.18 |
5.17 (Average) |
1.3 (Excellent) |
Alcatel OneTouch Hero 2 |
481 (Good) |
17 (Poor) |
1:1579 (Excellent) |
7135 (Good) |
2.06 |
2.08 (Good) |
5.31 (Average) |
Nokia XL |
358 (Average) |
11 (Average) |
1:1366 (Excellent) |
7679 (Average) |
2.23 |
4.31 (Average) |
4.51 (Average) |
The numbers below represent the amount of deviation in the respective property, observed when a display is viewed from a 45-degree angle as opposed to direct viewing.
Maximum brightness Lower is better | Minimum brightness Lower is better | Contrast Lower is better | Color temperature Lower is better | Gamma Lower is better | Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better | Delta E grayscale Lower is better | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZTE Grand X Max+ |
82.5% |
85.7% |
83% |
7.7% |
16.5% |
15.7% |
300.8% |
Alcatel OneTouch Hero 2 |
84.2% |
88.2% |
78.6% |
2.2% |
7.3% |
20.7% |
34.3% |
Nokia XL |
92.7% |
90.9% |
83.4% |
8.8% |
8.1% |
14.6% |
11.5% |
The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.
The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.
The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance (balance between red, green and blue) across different levels of grey (from dark to bright). The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones, the better.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.
These measurements are made using Portrait Displays' CalMAN calibration software.

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