ZTE Blade A35 (Z2453) Review: Budget-Friendly Smartphone with Surprising Features

The ZTE Blade A35 (Z2453) – a budget-friendly smartphone aiming to punch above its weight. This review dives deep into my experience using the Clover Green 4+8GB RAM, 64GB model, exploring its features, performance, and overall value proposition. I’ve spent the last few weeks using it as my daily driver, putting it through its paces with a mix of casual and demanding tasks.

The Blade A35 boasts a sizeable 6.75-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate – a surprising feature for a phone at this price point. The display is bright enough for outdoor use and the increased refresh rate makes scrolling and animations noticeably smoother. The triple card slot is a handy inclusion allowing for two SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously. The Clover Green colour is surprisingly appealing and feels more premium than expected. The rear features an 8MP main camera accompanied by a 5MP secondary camera. The phone also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which provided fast and reliable unlocking.

Powered by the Unisoc SC9863A1 octa-core processor, the ZTE Blade A35 delivers adequate performance for everyday tasks. Browsing the web, using social media, and light gaming were all handled smoothly. However, more demanding games showed some lag. The 4GB RAM, boosted by 4GB of Dynamic RAM expansion, manages multitasking reasonably well, though you might notice some slowdown when switching between multiple apps. The 5000mAh battery consistently lasted a full day on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage. This is a significant plus, making it ideal for users who are constantly on the go. Charging, via the USB Type-C port, is relatively quick.

Pros:

  • Large, smooth 90Hz display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Triple card slot design
  • Affordable price point
  • Fast fingerprint sensor

Cons:

  • Processor can struggle with demanding tasks
  • Camera quality is average
  • Internal storage could be higher

The ZTE Blade A35 (Z2453) is a solid budget smartphone. The impressive battery life, smooth display, and convenient triple card slot makes it a great option for those on a tight budget or looking for a secondary device. While the performance isn’t cutting edge, it’s perfectly capable for most everyday users. I would recommend this phone to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable device that won’t break the bank.

Specification Value
Model Name ZTE Blade A35
Model Number Z2453
Version International Version
Colour Name Clover Green
Screen Size 6.75 in
Display Type IPS LCD
Display Resolution 720×1600
Refresh Rates 90Hz
Operating System Android
Operating System Version Android 13
Processor Name Unisoc
Processor Number SC9863A1
Processor Speed 1.6 GHz
Number of Cores Octa Core
RAM Size 4 GB
Internal Memory 4 GB
Expandable Memory Type MicroSD
Internal Storage 64 GB
Primary Camera (MP) 8MP + AI Camera
Primary Camera Feature Triple
Secondary Camera 5 – 7.9 MP
Secondary Camera Resolution 5 MP
Flash LED
SIM Count Dual SIM
SIM Type Nano SIM
Network Type 4G
Network Frequency Band GSM/LTE/UMTS
Battery Size 5000 mAh
Charging Type Type-C
Sensor Side Fingerprint
Voice Calling Capability Yes
Model Year 2024
Condition New