ZTE will offer the bezel-less Nubia Z9 in two editions: an Elite version that has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and a Classic version that offers 3GB RAM and 32GB storage.
After rolling out the Nubia Z9 Max and Nubia Z9 mini in the month of March, ZTE has now unveiled its flagship Nubia Z9. The highlight of the device is the display, which has bezels of just 0.8mm. The phone features ZTE's Frame Interaction Technology (FiT), through which users will be able to swipe the edges of the frame to launch apps, access settings and set gesture-based shortcuts.
There are several pre-defined gestures. For instance, you can slide your fingers across both edges of the screen to adjust the brightness of the display. You can also switch between apps by flicking your thumb up or down, and launch the camera by placing four fingertips on the four corners of the screen. ZTE has mentioned that it will allow third-party apps access to its FiT technology.
When it comes to specs, the Nubia Z9 offers:
- 5.2-inch 2.5D curved glass full HD display
- Snapdragon 810 SoC with 64-bit octa-core CPU, Adreno 430 GPU
- 4GB RAM/64GB storage (Elite edition), 3GB RAM/32GB storage (Classic edition)
- 16MP camera with Sony IMX234 sensor (same as the LG G4), OIS, f/2.0 lens
- 8MP front camera with 80-degree wide-angle lens
- LTE connectivity, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.1, MHL 3.0 and NFC
- Hi-Fi audio processor
- ZTE Nubia UI 3.0 atop Android 5.0
- 2,900mAh battery
- Dimensions: 147.38 x 68.34 x 8.94mm
ZTE will start sales of the Nubia Z9 from May 21, with the Classic edition set to retail for 3,499 Yuan ($564). The Elite edition with 4GB RAM and 64 gigs of storage will be available for 3,999 Yuan ($644), and ZTE is also offering a variant of the Elite edition with a fingerprint sensor, called the Exclusive edition, for 4,499 Yuan ($725). Interestingly, the fingerprint sensor is incorporated into the sides of the device, unlike implementations we've seen thus far, which includes placing the sensor in the home button and at the back.
Reader comments
ZTE's bezel-less Nubia Z9 now official: 5.2-inch FHD display, Snapdragon 810, 16MP camera
Whoa ho ho! ZTE!!! Great job.
That is a beautiful phone. Now on to hacking that top and bottom bezel and we'll have a giant display and pocketable device all in one.
Looks fine to me. Great job on ZTE for designing a great looking phone.
Posted via the HTC One M9
CASE USERS LOOK ELSEWHERE....
Rooted LG G2
Rooted GSIII
Stock Galaxy Note 4
(The Sprint Lover)
Yeah and screen protector users!
Posted via the Android Central App
that was my first thought was a screen protector is gonna be ugly on that rounded edge display. however, if its gorilla glass 4 it really doesnt matter.
I think this will also be a case of "careful what you wish for" Bezel-less looks amazing, but i wonder how many times you will accidentally touch the screen when you weren't meaning to
The FiT is what intrigues me here! I wonder if we'll see this in NA?
It's really a thing of beauty, but I'm not sure of ZTE's rep when it comes to product support.
Furthermore, did they do whatever they can to reduce the heat output of the infamously toasty SD810 without resorting to throttling???
Has there actually been any proof that the throttling affects the user experience? Because all I've seen is a bunch of people complaining about benchmarks.
Exactly. Running benchmark tests ten times in a row happens nowhere in the real world. What does happen with real devices in real user hands?: It's fast and gets no hotter than other metal backed devices. But you know what's even stranger? The 810 runs cooler than some other chips, which is probably why nobody can come up with actual temperatures.
I actually used a G Flex 2, and there was some performance hiccups, but I attribute that mostly to software.
Aside from that, there may be a few performance hiccups but the lower performance is negligible unless you perform heavy tasks.
However, it's still a bitter feeling to know that you've bought a phone that couldn't reach its full potential. Then again, I'm buying an LG G4, which has an 808, so who am I to complain.
Posted via Android Central App on a HTC One M7 running Sense 7.0
Sure, looks nice but ...
The M7 has fairly narrow side bezels yet, even with a case that has a decent raised ridge, my thumb or fingers can still roll over it and mess with the screen.
Assuming you mean the HTC One M7, that fond certainly did NOT have narrow bezels. There are plenty of great things about that phone, but tiny bezels are not one of them...
I think the main point is that phones with larger bezels are less likely to register false screen touches, and that if it can happen on the M7, it will be a routine problem on this Z9. It looks cool, but functionality takes a hit when you have to hold the thing weird to keep from setting things off accidentally. And I'm not so sure the tiny side bezels are that attractive when you have a Frankenstein forehead and chin to deal with.
Coming to the US??
Posted via the Android Central App
What's with the bezels on top and bottom? The width is smaller than a nexus 5 so it had potential. But it's over 1cm taller for some reason.
A little on the square side but it looks nice otherwise. I wouldn't mind seeing a video so that I can see the fingerprint scanner in action.
If only it didn't look too much like an iPhone...
Posted via the Android Central App
That does look rather impressive. Pricey but it certainly looks like they did some work on that design and engineering.
They caught the same disease as Sony. The top and bottom bezels make this phone ugly.
Yes, you're absolutely right. The top and bottom bezel sucks big time. :/
Too ugly in my opinion. Along with that CPU and I'm sure a horrible Android overlay, I'll stick with my Nexus 5.
Nexus 5 GoPhone
Wow, slick...
Posted via Android Central App
2015 seems to be the year of the beautiful Android phones. This device is a thing of beauty. Of cause the case won't work well with this device if you want to use FiT features. But wow!
Posted via AC App from Note 4
Placing your fingers on all four corners to turn on camera or touching the camera icon with one finger? Wonder which is quicker and less awkward? ???
Sometimes less is more
Practicality should be considered before gimmicks. I hope they included a way to turn off that Touchy-Feely side screen gimmick. Does look nice though.
Posted via Android Central App
Device looks sexy. Too bad I'm on verizon, because of work.
Awesome looking phone! Now only if they announce a US release....
Posted via the Android Central App