What's good
- Very affordable
- Average size display
- Good battery life
What's bad
- Sluggish processor
- Poor camera performance
- No 4G LTE
The ZTE Awe is a basic Android phone, which specs-wise, is clearly average. Its main features include a 4-inch touchscreen display with sub-HD resolution, a 5 megapixel main camera complemented by a 1 megapixel front cam, a dual-core CPU, and a 1,650mAh battery that lasts almost 10 hours in terms of talk time. While it doesn't look like much at first glance, most user reviews we found online indicate that it was powerful enough for a basic smartphone and was available for a reasonable price.
Although you won’t find the latest version of Android on it, the Awe does run one of the newer flavors of the OS by default. It comes with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, which lacks a few new features but fortunately still supports all the same apps and has some neat software tricks. To be more specific, it should be able to run the latest Android games as evidenced by reviewers, unless the games have high-resolution graphics, of course.
The biggest complaints about this phone appear to stem from its processor and camera, which are deemed by Cnet’s Lynn La as “sluggish” and “ho-hum,” respectively. However, she feels that the poor performance is somewhat justified, in the sense that “you get what you pay for.”
In the end, the ZTE Awe is seen as an acceptable phone despite its flaws not only because the price is right, but also because its overall performance is acceptable.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Lynn La, CnetGiven its sluggish processor and ho-hum camera, you do indeed "get what you pay for" with the Awe. However, at $100 off-contract, what you "get" is actually pretty satisfying. If you're in need of a low-cost prepaid phone, the Awe will satisfy, but if you want a quick-moving phone, move on.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the ZTE Awe user manual here.
ZTE backs up the Awe with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Awe has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact ZTE support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find ZTE's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- ZTE Awe Manual (PDF)
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