X

CES: ZTE hopes to make Android 'Blade' stick

ZTE isn't officially announcing its first U.S. smartphone at CES, but we did see the candidate, and found out a few things about what's to come.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
See full bio
Jessica Dolcourt
ZTE Blade, CES 2011
Looking for a U.S. home. Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

LAS VEGAS--ZTE isn't announcing devices besides its tablets, but we were able to glean a few things during our meeting with the Chinese phone manufacturer at CES. Chiefly, ZTE is looking for a home for the ZTE Blade, an Android-powered smartphone that's already been released in Europe and Asia.

We took a look at the Blade--it has a 3.5-inch touch screen, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. In global markets, it currently runs Android 2.1 but should be upgradable to Android 2.2 (Froyo). Right now ZTE says it's in talks with major and regional U.S. carriers to find the Blade a home.

Design-wise, our first impressions peg it as run of the mill: black with some silver accents and a soft-touch back cover. It's certainly more of an entry-level device from what we could see, best suited toward casual or newer smartphone users.

More significant is that this would be ZTE's first smartphone in the U.S. market, just as the Blade was also the company's first smartphone in Japan. At this point, it's too soon to tell where the Blade will stick and if it's sharp enough to penetrate the U.S. market or at least give ZTE more mindshare among phone owners.

This CES also marks the first time that ZTE has reached out to the U.S. press, CNET learned. We take that as an indication of more ZTE smartphones to come.