Compare ZTE mobile phones

ZTE sells a variety of affordable feature and smartphone devices, although typically not under its own branding.

Posted Sep 30, 2020

Fact checked

We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .

Compare ZTE phone models
What to consider
ZTE phone plans

Key facts about ZTE mobile phones

ZTE was originally founded as Zhongxing Semiconductor Co in 1985.
Most ZTE phones sold in Australia are rebranded as carrier phones, particularly as Telstra or Optus models.

ZTE phone models

Name	Product	Display	Display	Rear camera	Battery size	Overall rating	More info	More info
ZTE Blitz		5 inches 720 x 1280	Display 5 inches 720 x 1280 Rear camera 8MP Battery size 2,500 mAh	8MP	2,500 mAh	Not yet rated	View details	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

What to consider when choosing a ZTE phone

ZTE is quite a big brand internationally, and especially in its home Chinese market, but it's a brand you may never have heard of before – despite the fact that many ZTE phones have been sold in Australia over many years. ZTE itself has operated in Australia since 2004, so it's not a "new" brand in Australia to speak of. So why haven't you heard of it?

It's because the vast majority of ZTE handsets sold in Australia over the years have been rebadged and resold as carrier devices, typically as either Telstra- or Optus-branded phones. ZTE does sell some of its handsets with its own branding in the open market these days as well, but if you've owned a lower cost prepaid Telstra or Optus smartphone in the past, the odds are pretty decent that it was actually a ZTE handset.

Here's what you need to consider when choosing a ZTE phone:

While there's been a prevailing trend towards larger screen sizes on smartphones, ZTE's phones as sold in Australia have tended to be smaller, with most sitting between 5 and 6.2 inches or so, although there are outliers both for its flip phones and some of its larger handsets. You won't see super-sharp AMOLEDs in play either, with most of ZTE's phones topping out at HD resolutions at best. That fits well with their budget ethos of course because you're paying a distinctly lower amount.
ZTE is yet to offer up a 5G capable device in Australia, but that's more likely when significantly larger quantities of low-cost 5G chipsets become more broadly available. Its phones do operate on Australia's 3G and 4G networks, although typically not at terribly high speed rates. Some of ZTE's phones sold with Telstra branding do qualify for its "Blue Tick" certification, meaning they're capable of better reception characteristics in more remote and regional areas.
ZTE's phones are inexpensive, and one of the ways that ZTE keeps the costs down is with relatively cheap processors and small allotments of RAM as well. As very basic phones, they're generally functional, but rarely fast. It's also well worth checking the precise feature set of a given phone model for tasks such as NFC contactless banking because there can be a lot of variance across models.

Looking for a ZTE phone on a plan?

For the most part, ZTE's phones are sold outright, although many of the models sold with carrier branding may be locked to that carrier. The current exception to this is the more mid-range priced Telstra Tough Max 3, which is available on contract terms through Telstra:

Thank you for your feedback!

Alex Kidman

Alex Kidman was the tech and telco editor at Finder and is now a freelance technology writer. He's been a technology writer with experience spanning more than 20 years, writing and editing at Gizmodo, CNET, PC Magazine, Kotaku and many more. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a serious passion for retro gaming.

More guides on Finder

Does new green brand Felix mean cheaper mobile plans soon?
TPG is launching another provider under its growing belt of brands. Felix will be a carbon neutral provider, but will its plans stack up to the competition?
Get access to Australia’s largest 5G network with a Telstra iPhone 12 plan
Pre-order the new iPhone 12 on a plan with Telstra and get access to Australia’s largest 5G network, with plenty of other features attached.
What’s the cheapest way to get an iPhone 12 plan in Australia?
We’ve compared what’s on offer and found the cheapest iPhone plans in the country.
Get “infinite” data when you sign up to an iPhone 12 plan with Vodafone
Vodafone’s plans come with "infinite" data and access to its 5G network. Check out its iPhone 12 plans here.
Optus is offering the new iPhone 12 for under $100 a month
Getting your hands on the new iPhone 12 doesn't have to cost you a fortune upfront.
Google Pixel 4a 5G review
The Pixel 4a adds a lot more than just 5G to the Pixel 4a recipe, and along the way it delivers a great smartphone experience.
Best GPS navigation systems in Australia 2020
These are the best GPS Navigation Systems in Australia for 2020, as determined by thousands of real customer reviews.
Should I Buy The iPhone 11?
Ahead of the expected reveal of the iPhone 12, now might seem like the time to snaffle up an iPhone 11 bargain, but there's actually a better bargain to be had in low-cost iPhones.
Best Google Pixel 5 cases in Australia 2020
Need a case for your Pixel 5 smartphone? Here are the best cases in Australia for a variety of styles and levels of protection.
Best 5G phones in Australia
Our expert team has tested hundreds of mobile phones to find the seven best 5G options that you can get in Australia.

Get the Finder app 🥳 A better score could get you a better deal 🥳

Find a better energy deal right now.

Find our monthly picks of the best mobile plans.

Find the best NBN plan for your needs

Check out the 10 top budget phones you can buy right now

Find a better NBN plan to suit your needs

Discover your next favourite show

Compare ZTE mobile phones

ZTE sells a variety of affordable feature and smartphone devices, although typically not under its own branding.

Smartphones

Best Phones

Mobile Phone Brands