The ZTE MAX XL was announced today by ZTE USA. It’s currently exclusive to Boost Mobile and is the first Boost phone to support Sprint’s High Performance User Equipment (HPUE) technology. It includes LTE+ support for faster data transfer speeds and improved network coverage.
The MAX XL’s headline feature is its phablet-sized 6-inch display. It has a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and is an IPS panel. Such a large screen won’t appeal to everyone but should be attractive to phablet fans looking for a new device on a budget.
ZTE has included a fingerprint sensor and the latest version of Android 7.1.1 Nougat. The 13MP main camera is paired with a 5MP front-facing sensor. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. The battery is an exceptionally large 3,990mAh unit which ZTE claims should be sufficient for over 26 hours of talk time.
The MAX XL’s budget focus is more evident when looking at its internals. Power comes courtesy of a 1.4GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. While no slouch, it’s also not especially fast, being more tailored towards efficiency and responsiveness than outright performance. The 2GB of RAM is also a limiting factor, along with the pitiable 16GB of expandable storage.
While it certainly has shortcomings, the MAX XL is also an intriguing value proposition that’s evidently designed for people wanting a high-end smartphone experience on a budget. If you don’t use demanding apps but need a large display and all-day battery life, the MAX XL is now one of the best options around short of a flagship phablet.
The MAX XL continues ZTE’s recent emphasis on launching budget-friendly smartphones with competent overall hardware and a few standout specs normally reserved for high-end handsets. The company has consistently said it builds devices based on demand. As carriers and users frequently request more low-cost handsets that are worth using, ZTE has stepped up to the task of building them.
“The ZTE MAX XL is intended to show just how great an affordable premium device can be in 2017,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. “We continue to push boundaries and give consumers more of what they want – bigger battery, bigger screen and the best connection possible – all at an affordable price.”
The ZTE MAX XL is available to pre-order from Boost Mobile starting today. ZTE is expecting sales to be comparatively strong after shipping over one million units of last year’s similarly-specced ZMax Pro within three months of its launch. The company is now the fourth largest mobile manufacturer in the U.S. as it continues to promote and grow its range of unlocked and carrier-tied phones.
