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The Nubia 5 raises ZTE's bar (pictures)

Slim, stylish, and toting a quad-core processor inside, the Nubia 5 is ZTE's latest high-end smartphone.

Lynn La
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
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1 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

The unlocked Nubia 5

Equipped with a quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1080p screen, and an impressive 13-megapixel camera, the Nubia 5 is one of ZTE's top-tier handsets. Available to US consumers via online and Amazon for $450, this unlocked device is a working testament to ZTE's determination to make a serious name for itself in the US.

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2 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

A familiar look

Though the device is uncannily similar to HTC handsets of recent past (like the Droid DNA for example), its matte back and faux-metallic trimming lend a professional feel. Inside the device are a quad-core, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor and a nonremovable 2,300mAh battery.

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3 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Crisp 1080p screen

The Nubia 5's display, a 5-inch IPS touch screen, is one of the sharpest I've seen on any ZTE handset. It has a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and 443ppi, so HD videos and images appeared crisp, and colors were accurately portrayed. It could stand, however, to be a bit brighter.

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4 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

A thin profile

The device weighs 4.51 ounces, and measures 5.43 inches tall and 2.7 inches wide. It has a slim 0.29-inch profile. If you're like me and have a small grip, you may find the phone hard to maneuver with just one hand. True, the handset isn't noticeably any bigger than some others on the market, like the Samsung Galaxy S4, but it may make for a tall fit inside certain pockets.

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5 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

No room to expand

Because you can't disassemble the back, the battery is nonremovable. Though the phone comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM, there is no expandable microSD card slot.

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6 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

A mature 13-MP camera

In addition to a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, the phone has a 13-megapixel camera that can shoot 1080p HD video and features a Konica Minolta sapphire lens.

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7 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Three shooting modes

For all your regular, informal shots you take on the daily, the camera has an auto mode. The more advanced pro mode includes a timer, a horizon leveler, and two guideline options. Lastly, fun mode lets you apply 10 Instagram-esque filters to your photos.

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