ZTE is finally taking on the iPad, with the zPad

By Andy Boxall Published January 5, 2015

zte zpad news black press image — Image used with permission by copyright holder

ZTE has a tablet, and it’s called the zPad. Keeping with the hot stylings of the iPad Mini, it has an 8-inch IPS LCD touchscreen and a gold look. It’s big trick: it has a 4G LTE chip inside it, standard. On most tablets, this is an expensive upgrade.

While 4G LTE connectivity is a rarity, the rest of the specs are common in the world of mid-range tablets. A 1.2GHz, quad-core processor powers the zPad, but it’s unknown exactly which chip it is, although it does come with 1GB of RAM. Just 8GB of storage space may seem a little tight, but a MicroSD card slot lets you boost that amount by a further 64GB.

ZTE-zPad-white-press-image — Image used with permission by copyright holder

ZTE says the zPad’s 7.9mm thick body has a premium matte finish, and weighs 320 grams, which is around the same as an Apple iPad Mini. The 8-inch screen can’t compete with Apple’s smallest tablet though, and has a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution (a resolution that’s closer to an iPad Mini without a retina screen). There are two cameras onboard: a 5-megapixel autofocus camera on the rear, and a 2 megapixel around the front. Finally, a 4,000mAh battery is inside.

There’s no release date for the zPad at the moment, and it has only been announced for China. Whether the tablet gets a wider international release may depend on ZTE striking network deals. An easily connected, likely low-cost, slate often proves popular with carriers. We’ll be checking out the zPad at CES, and will keep you updated with further release and price details.

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Computing

Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple is one of the biggest companies in the world, and if you're looking for some great tech, then you probably already know that Apple makes some of the best wireless earbuds, the best smartwatches, the best laptops, and even the best tablets. That said, it does also garner a very premium price tag, which is a pretty big part of the brand itself, meaning that for a lot of folks in the Apple ecosystem, making any sort of upgrade or expansion to that ecosystem can be very costly. On the bright side, there are a ton of great Apple deals out there in the world, whether it's trade-in value from Apple, or direct discounts from Amazon and Best Buy, you have options.

That's why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook deals, AirPods deals, Apple TV deals and Apple Watch deals to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $79, was $99

Mobile

Flash deal: Get $100 off the latest iPad Mini for Memorial Day

An iPad Mini standing in tent mode.

Best Buy has one of the best iPad deals around but it only lasts for as long as today does. Right now, you can buy the latest Apple iPad mini for $400 meaning you’re saving $100 off the regular price of $500. A great and highly portable tablet, it’s sure to be a hit with Apple fans and more. Here’s what you need to know about it before you buy but remember that you only have until the end of the day to grab it for this price.

Why you should buy the Apple iPad mini
The best iPad around for anyone seeking something small, the Apple iPad mini is a “little powerhouse” as our review explains. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color support so it’s small but looks gorgeous. It’s powered by an A15 Bionic chip so it can handle quite a lot including many games or simply multitasking.

Mobile

The one thing stopping me from buying a new iPad

Three 2021 iPads are stacked on a table.

Want an iPad? Apple wants you to be paying attention to the new iPad Pro -- and for good reason. It's the thinnest product Apple has ever created, which is impressive considering it packs in a laptop-level M4 processor, a gorgeous display, and a number of new software tricks. But the announcement concealed something far more important: the dustbinning of the 9th-gen iPad. The last of the "retro" iPad designs, the 9th-gen is now finally retired from the stage, and for me, it means this is my last chance to grab a quick and reasonable upgrade for my 7th-gen iPad.

I figured I could grab the 9th-gen for a decent discount now that it's on the way out -- and to Apple's credit, I absolutely could. But a realization began to sink in as I shopped, and I came away without making that final purchase.