Related Articles
ZTE, the embattled China-based mobile company, launched a new smartphone on Wednesday that promises big features at a cheap price.
Dubbed the V5, the Android-based handset comes to China with a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and 5-inch 720p HD display. It also features a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, and 5-megapixel front-facing camera. ZTE is offering five color options on the Redbull and two versions — a “Youth” option boasting 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage and an “Energy” version that doubles those specs.
The big draw for the China-only smartphone is its price. The Youth version starts at $113, while the Energy option goes for $135.
China has become a major battleground for companies across the globe. Companies actually based in China, like ZTE and enthusiast darling Xiaomi, have been able to capture serious market share by delivering devices with higher-end specs and affordable pricing. Apple, of course, is also trying to make a play for the Chinese market, but has faced trouble garnering significant market share, due in large part to its devices coming in hundreds of dollars higher than their China-based counterparts.
For its part, ZTE, which delivers handsets and wireless services across the world, has been trying to make inroads into the US. Lawmakers, however, have rebuffed ZTE’s attempts to bring its products to the US over fears that its efforts might provide a conduit for Chinese espionage. ZTE has flatly denied such claims, but that hasn’t changed the opinions of US lawmakers.
The V5 is available now in China. ZTE hasn’t said yet whether the handset will launch elsewhere.
CNET has contacted ZTE for comment on the launch. We will update this story when we have more information.
(Via Android Headlines)
Update 1:19 p.m. on April 17: To change the device’s name from Redbull to V5. “Redbull” is actually the V5’s codename.
