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.

Recommended Videos

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…
Which iPhone model is the most popular? A new report has the answer
The iPhone 16 sticking out of someone's pocket.

For the last three years, Apple has launched four new iPhones each fall: a regular model, the iPhone Plus, iPhone Pro, and iPhone Pro Max. A new report by CIRP reveals which model is the most popular. And you may be surprised by the answer.

Since the iPhone 14 series in 2022, the regular iPhone has consistently been Apple’s top-selling handset, and it’s not even close.

Read more
Future Android phones may come with another preinstalled Google app
The new Cardio Load and Readiness features in the Fitbit app.

If you have an Android phone, you know it comes with many preinstalled Google apps, such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. In future Android versions, another Google app might be automatically added to the mix.

As 9to5Google first noted, the Oppo Find X8 has Google’s Fitbit app preloaded on the device. It’s now part of Google’s Android app suite on that handset and replaces Google Fit. The site suggests, and probably rightly so, that more Android-based devices will also probably ship with Fitbit preinstalled in the future.

Read more
The ESR Black Friday deals offer discounts on iPad and AirPod cases
ESR AirPod protective case outside

I know, I know, you've probably been inundated with a ton of early Black Friday deals. Me too. But continuing with some more ESR deals, this time we're back with something a little different. Where before, you were looking at great deals on cases for Apple's devices. Here, we're looking at cases for the iPad and AirPods. With the iPad, it adds a bit of functionality, like doubling as a rotating stand for hands-free viewing. The AirPod case, on the other hand, supports MagSafe charging but offers ultimate drop protection to your earbuds and their wireless charging case. Let's take a closer look.

 
ESR rotating iPad case with removable magnetic cover

Read more