ZTE introduces Open C, its 2nd-gen Firefox OS phone (pictures)

A year and a half into its Firefox OS work, Chinese phone maker ZTE releases the faster Open C successor to one of the first Firefox phones. Here's a look.

Stephen Shankland

Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.

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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).

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Stephen Shankland

Jessica Dolcourt

Feb. 23, 2014 1:54 p.m. PT

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ZTE was one of the first Firefox OS phone makers, and now with the ZTE Open C, the company brings us better specs across the board...compared to the original ZTE Open.

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The Open C comes in blue, orange, or black -- the colors most associated with Mozilla's open-source Firefox OS. On the back is a 3-megapixel camera.

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Specs-wise, you're looking at a 4-inch screen with an 800x640 resolution, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of flash storage, and a 1,400mAh battery.

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A distinctive metallic strip runs down its long edge. At 10.8mm thick, it's thinner than some rivals.

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Atop the phone you'll find a power button and a headphone jack.

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The volume rocker sits on the phone's right spine.

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Firefox OS has two ways to install apps -- the Firefox Marketplace and this, the search tool powered by EverythingMe technology. It searches the Web for sites or apps that fit the search terms.

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Because Firefox OS is a browser-based operating system, apps like this contact manager on the ZTE Open C are really just sophisticated, mobile-optimized Web sites.