Skip to main content

ZTE launches the Grand S2 and the BlueWatch smartwatch

ZTE has announced a wide range of new mobile hardware just before CES 2014 begins in earnest, including a series of new smartphones, a smartphone/tablet hybrid, and its first smartwatch. However, it has remained rather quiet on the specs, which may not have been finalized yet.

Its big smartphone news concerns the Grand S2, about which it has only shared the a few software features. Voice control is the theme, and by speaking to it you can unlock the phone, take a picture, or give it commands while driving. The phone also features set of high quality microphones, and Dolby audio enhancements. We’ll provide a spec rundown when we have one.

ZTE Projector HotspotMoving on, we come to the BlueWatch, ZTE’s first attempt at a smartwatch. It connects to your phone using Bluetooth, and will alert the wearer of incoming calls and notifications, plus social networking interactions. Additionally, it continuously tracks your movement and by analyzing the data collected, it’ll give feedback on how many steps you’ve taken, and even information on body fat. Again, the technical specs have yet to be revealed.

More is known about ZTE’s two new Nubia phones, the Nubia 5S and Nubia 5S Mini. The former has a 5-inch 1080p display and a 13-megapixel Sony camera, while the latter has a slightly smaller 4.7-inch screen. The strangely named Iconic Phablet) has – aside from a silly name – a 5.7-inch display, a dual-core processor, and wireless charging.

The last phone announced is the Sonata 4G, which is an Aio Wireless exclusive. It has a 4-inch screen, a 1.4GHz dual-core chip, a 5-megapixel camera, and as you’ve probably guessed by its name, it’ll offer 4G LTE data speeds. ZTE’s final new mobile product brings two unlikely categories together, the Wi-Fi hotspot and the mini projector. Yes, the Projector Hotspot can show content stored on your phone, shared using an HDMI connection, or via W-Fi on the big screen. It runs Android 4.2 and has a 4-inch screen, 4G LTE, plus a big 5000mAh battery.

All ZTE’s new hardware will be on display at CES, so we’ll bring you all the final details, plus news on price and availability, later in the week.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
AT&T just made it a lot easier to upgrade your phone
AT&T Storefront with logo.

Do you want to upgrade your phone more than once a year? What about three times a year? Are you on AT&T? If you answered yes to those questions, then AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program is made for you. With this add-on, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone three times a year for just $10 extra every month. It will be available starting July 16.

Currently, AT&T has its “Next Up” add-on, which has been available for the past several years. This program costs $6 extra per month and lets you upgrade by trading in your existing phone after at least half of it is paid off. But the new Next Up Anytime option gives you some more flexibility.

Read more
Motorola is selling unlocked smartphones for just $150 today
Someone holding the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024).

Have you been looking for phone deals but don’t want to spend a ton of money on flagship devices from Apple and Samsung? Have you ever considered investing in an unlocked Motorola? For a limited time, the company is offering a $100 markdown on the Motorola Moto G 5G. It can be yours for just $150, and your days and nights of phone-shopping will finally be over!

Why you should buy the Motorola Moto G 5G
Powered by the Snapdragon 480+ 5G CPU and 4GB of RAM, the Moto G delivers exceptional performance across the board. From UI navigation to apps, games, and camera functions, you can expect fast load times, next to no buffering, and smooth animations. You’ll also get up to 128GB of internal storage that you’ll be able to use for photos, videos, music, and any other mobile content you can store locally. 

Read more
The Nokia 3210 is the worst phone I’ve used in 2024
A person holding the Nokia 3210, showing the screen.

Where do I even start with the Nokia 3210? Not the original, which was one of the coolest phones to own back in a time when Star Wars: Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace wasn’t even a thing, but the latest 2024 reissue that has come along to save us all from digital overload, the horror of social media, and the endless distraction that is the modern smartphone.

Except behind this facade of marketing-friendly do-goodery hides a weapon of torture, a device so foul that I’d rather sit through multiple showings of Jar Jar Binks and the gang hopelessly trying to bring back the magic of A New Hope than use it.
The Nokia 3210 really is that bad

Read more