ZTE's big-screen Grand X Max+ goes small on price (pictures)

Debuting at CES 2015 earlier this month, and available from Cricket Wireless for $200, the ZTE Grand X Max+ is a budget prepaid handset running Android 4.4.4.

The device measures 6.38 inches tall, 3.27 inches wide, and 0.31-inch thick. Given its size and the fact that its back panel is smooth and glossy, some users may find it difficult to maneuver comfortably with one hand.

Compared with other handsets its size however, the X Max+ is relatively light at 6.06 ounces. That's lighter than the Google Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

Similar to its predecessor, the phone sports a generous 6-inch touchscreen with a 1,280x720-pixel resolution. This time, however, it has an HD display. It's also bright, responsive, and easy to view under sunlight.

The Max+ runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat, and has your standard package of Google apps you'd come to expect, like the Chrome browser, Drive, Gmail, Maps, and more.Other third-party apps include AccuWeather, KingSoft Offices and AskMD, a medical reference and health consulting app.

Powering the handset is a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor and a 3,200mAh battery with Quick Charge 1.0 technology from Qualcomm.

Taking brilliant photographs has rarely been a strong suit for ZTE devices (even its Nubia 5, which was billed as a "photographer's handset" fell short of its promises). But surprisingly, I was genuinely impressed with both the Max+'s rear- and front-facing cameras.

Along with digital zoom and flash, the rear-facing 13-megapixel camera has three shooting modes. For all your daily, informal shots there's auto mode. Pro mode has more advanced editing tools, and fun mode lets you shoot with certain effects like panoramas.

The front-facing 5-megapixel camera has an 88-degree wide-angle lens so you can fit more content into each frame.

Despite its few drawbacks, the $200 Max+ stands out as one of the better values we've seen and is a top pick as far as budget phablets g. Click here for more information about ZTE handsets on CNET.