The ZTE Blade V60: A Budget Warrior with Compromises You Can Feel
Let me start by saying this: the Blade V60 isn’t here to win spec sheet battles. It’s the kind of phone that quietly does its job while flashier devices hog the spotlight. But after two weeks with it, I’ve got some strong opinions about where it shines – and where ZTE cut corners a little too aggressively.
The Screen That Wants to Be Loved (But Can’t Quite)
That 6.6” 90Hz display looks great on paper… until you realize it’s 720p. Here’s the reality: Scrolling through TikTok feels smoother than a $200 phone has any right to be, but text looks slightly fuzzy next to sharper 1080p competitors. It’s like watching a DVD on a 4K TV – functional, but you’ll notice the pixels if you look closely. Outdoor visibility? Decent in the shade, but direct sunlight turns it into a murky mirror.
Performance: The Art of Managing Expectations
The Unisoc T606 chipset is the equivalent of a reliable commuter car – it’ll get you there, but don’t expect to win any races. Casual apps like WhatsApp and Facebook run fine, but open Google Maps while streaming Spotify and you’ll feel the 4GB RAM gasping for air. Gaming? Stick to Candy Crush. Genshin Impact chugs like a college freshman at their first kegger.
Here’s the kicker: that 90Hz display actually works against it sometimes. When the phone struggles to maintain smooth animations, it feels like watching a buffering YouTube video – you know there’s potential, but the hardware can’t keep up.
The Camera System That’s Mostly for Show
Let’s be real – that 50MP main sensor is the only camera that matters here. In good light, it takes surprisingly decent shots (for the price). But those 2MP depth and 4MP macro sensors? Pure decoration. Night photography turns everything into a grainy watercolor painting, and the 8MP selfie cam makes everyone look like they’re using Instagram’s “nostalgia” filter.
Video recording maxes out at 30fps with no stabilization – great if you want your home movies to look like they were shot during an earthquake.
Battery Life: The Undisputed Champion
Here’s where the Blade V60 punches above its weight class. That 5000mAh battery combined with the low-power chipset means you’ll easily get 2 days of moderate use. It’s the phone equivalent of that friend who always has jumper cables in their trunk – reliably there when you need it. The 22.5W charging isn’t blazing fast, but gets you from 0-50% in about 35 minutes.
The Little Things That Add Up
• Software: Android 13 feels dated at launch, and ZTE’s update track record isn’t inspiring confidence
• Build Quality: The plastic back collects fingerprints like a detective at a crime scene
• Missing Features: No NFC means no contactless payments – a strange omission in 2024
• Audio: The DTS tuning is surprisingly decent, but the single bottom-firing speaker gets muffled easily
Who Should Buy This Phone?
Perfect for:
• First-time smartphone users
• Emergency backup devices
• Budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery over everything
Look elsewhere if:
• You care about photography
• Need future-proof performance
• Want timely software updates
The Price Paradox
At €88 in Mexico, this is a steal. At €189 in Europe? Now we’ve got problems. There’s better competition at that price point (looking at you, Samsung A15). ZTE’s pricing strategy makes this phone either a no-brainer or a hard pass depending on your region.
My Personal Take
Would I use this as my daily driver? Not a chance – I need better cameras and snappier performance. But would I recommend it to my aunt who just wants to video call her grandkids and never charge her phone? Absolutely. The Blade V60 is like a reliable pair of work boots – it’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.
The real magic trick here is that 5000mAh battery. In a world where even $1000 phones struggle to last a full day, this budget warrior laughs in the face of charging anxiety. Just don’t expect it to do much else exceptionally well.
Final Verdict
If you see this phone under €100? Buy it immediately. At higher price points? Only consider it if battery life is your absolute top priority. For everyone else – there’s better options out there that don’t make so many compromises.
