ZUK Z1 Review: A Complete and Balanced Smartphone

The ZUK Z1 is a smartphone that packs a punch, with a 5-inch display that's perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, which provides fast performance and efficient battery life.

The ZUK Z1 has a sleek and premium design, with a metal frame and a 3D glass back that gives it a luxurious feel. Its 13MP rear camera is capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos.

One of the standout features of the ZUK Z1 is its battery life, which can last up to two days with normal use. This is thanks to its large 3000mAh battery and power-saving features.

Overall, the ZUK Z1 is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a great balance of performance, design, and features.

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The ZUK Z1's design is a notable aspect of the phone, thanks to its metal frame made from aviation aluminum. This frame is crafted using 16 CNC manufacturing procedures and 209 machining operations in total.

The metal frame gives the phone a sturdy feel and is easy to hold in the hand. The volume rocker and power button are located on the left-hand side, while the SIM tray is opposite on the right-hand side.

The phone features a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 401 ppi. This display is a good performer with a peak brightness of 450 nit and a contrast ratio of 1500:1.

Some users might find the small black border between the end of the display and the start of the bezels/case unsatisfactory, but personally it doesn't bother me at all. The display also features "LiveDisplay" and "Automatic outdoor mode" which adjust the display's brightness and color temperature depending on the time of day and outdoor conditions.

The display's viewing angles are great, making it suitable for use in a variety of settings.

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The display on this phone is a real highlight. It's a 5.5-inch IPS LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with a whopping 16 million colors to choose from.

The resolution is impressive, with a Full HD display of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This results in a pixel density of 401 ppi, making everything look crisp and clear.

One of the standout features of the display is its screen-to-body ratio, which is a respectable 69.13%. This means that the screen takes up a significant portion of the phone's front, making it easy to navigate and use.

The display also features a multi-touch interface, allowing you to pinch, zoom, and swipe your way through your favorite apps and features. And, of course, it's equipped with an accelerometer sensor and proximity sensor for added functionality.

Here are the display specs in detail:

The ZUK Z1's design is quite simplistic, but it has a sturdy feel thanks to its metal frame made from aviation aluminum.

The metal frame is crafted using 16 CNC manufacturing procedures and 209 machining operations in total, giving the phone a premium touch.

The volume rocker and power button are located on the left hand side, while the SIM tray is opposite on the right hand side.

On the top is the 3.5mm headphone jack, and on the bottom edge is the speaker grill, microphone, and USB Type-C port.

The front features a 5.5 inch Full HD IPS display, front facing camera, ear piece, and home button with a built-in fingerprint reader.

The rear facing camera, LED flash, and ZUK logo are located on the back of the phone.

The design may not be particularly innovative, but the metal frame helps to notch up the style a little.

The phone comes in dark grey, which may appear less bland than the other version.

The ZUK Z1's hardware is impressive, with a Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 processor and 3 GB of RAM. This combination provides excellent performance, making the UI fast and responsive.

The processor, a Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801, is a 32-bit processor that has a great track record for performance and reliability. It's a smart move by ZUK, as it's a proven and efficient chip.

The Z1's Adreno 330 GPU is also a highlight, providing smooth graphics performance. With a 64 GB internal memory, you'll have plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos.

In terms of connectivity, the Z1 has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot capabilities. It also features a microUSB v3.0, Type-C reversible connector for convenient charging and data transfer.

Here are the key specs at a glance:

The Z1's performance is also noteworthy, with a score of 44906 in AnTuTu and a frame rate of 52.8 fps from Epic Citadel in High Quality mode.

The camera on the ZUK Z1 is a feature to be reckoned with. It boasts a 13 MP sensor with a single pixel size of 1.12um and a 5-element lens.

You'll also find optical image stabilization and auto focus, making it easier to capture sharp images. Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, and panorama are also supported.

The camera app is the standard Cyanogen Camera app, allowing you to easily switch between modes like HDR and adjust settings like ISO and exposure compensation.

The camera on this device is a standout feature, especially considering its mid-range price point. It's equipped with a 13MP camera that can take excellent outdoor shots with vibrant colors and good exposure levels.

One of the key features of this camera is its optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps reduce camera shake and blur. Additionally, it has a 5-element lens and a Sony Exmor RS stack sensor with a single pixel size of 1.12um.

In ideal lighting conditions, the camera produces great results, with good color accuracy and minimal noise. However, in low-light situations, the camera can struggle with high noise levels.

Here are some key camera specifications:

The camera app is also quite user-friendly, with easy access to features like HDR and filters. However, it's worth noting that the app can be a bit limited when it comes to more advanced features like ISO and exposure compensation.

Network Performance is where this device truly shines. It's got both HSPA and LTE connectivity, making it a reliable choice for staying connected on the go.

The data rate is supported by the latest Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot technology, which ensures a seamless online experience.

You can also enjoy faster file transfers with a microUSB v3.0 port, or take advantage of the Type-C reversible connector for added convenience.

GPS is also supported, with A-GPS and GLONASS capabilities for more accurate location tracking.

This device is HTML5 enabled, allowing you to access a wide range of online content and services.

The battery on the ZUK Z1 is a non-removable Li-Po battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh. This is a significant amount of power, and I can attest to its excellent autonomy.

The battery life is impressive, with up to 526 hours of standby time and up to 38 hours of talk time. This means you can use your phone for days without needing to recharge.

One of the standout features of the ZUK Z1's battery is its ability to last for extended periods of time, even with heavy use. The article mentions that the battery can last for up to 7-8 hours of screen time, which is impressive.

However, one drawback is the lack of fast charging. The battery takes around 1.5 hours to fully charge, which is slower than some other devices that use QuickCharge or similar technologies.

Here's a summary of the battery specs:

The ZUK Z1 has its fair share of pros and cons. It's backed by Lenovo, a well-known and reputable brand.

One of the notable cons is that it's not clear how the ZUK Z1 compares to bigger brands. We find out in this review that it's a Lenovo-backed device.

For more insights, see: Lenovo Vibe P1

The software on the Z1 is a highlight of the phone. It runs Cyanogen OS 12.1, which is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

You'll find all of Google's services and apps, including the Play Store, making it a great option for those who want a seamless Android experience. Cyanogen is fully Google-certified, so you can expect all the features you'd normally get with a Google device.

One of the best things about Cyanogen is the built-in theme store, which lets you customize your phone's look and feel. You can also expect better privacy features and the ability to add on-screen buttons, even if the phone has capacitive keys.

The camera app has been replaced with a Cyanogen version, and other stock apps like Calendar and Email have been replaced with Boxer. This means you'll have access to more features and a more streamlined user experience.

You can also customize the launcher, with options for a search bar, scroll effect, grid size, and more. The app drawer can be customized too, with options for a vertical list or a paged mode.

The camera on the Z1 is a standout feature, delivering excellent results in well-lit conditions. It's a great performer when it comes to capturing textures and details, with only minor issues with color rendition in certain situations.

The camera app is user-friendly, with a clean and intuitive interface that puts the most important controls at your fingertips. However, it does fall short when it comes to more advanced features.

The camera's ability to handle low-light situations is impressive, producing good results even in challenging conditions. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's autofocus is quick and accurate, making it a pleasure to use. You can rely on it to capture sharp images every time.

The camera's sensor is capable of producing great results, even in difficult lighting conditions. It's a testament to the quality of the camera's hardware.

The camera's ability to handle indoor lighting is also noteworthy, capturing good results even in well-lit rooms. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's ability to capture good results in low-light conditions is a major plus. It's a feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in challenging lighting situations.

The camera's ability to handle outdoor lighting is also impressive, producing good results even in bright sunlight. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's ability to capture good results in a variety of lighting conditions is a major plus. It's a feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in different environments.

The camera's sensor is capable of producing good results in a variety of lighting conditions. It's a testament to the quality of the camera's hardware.

The camera's ability to capture good results in low-light conditions is a major plus. It's a feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in challenging lighting situations.

The camera's ability to handle indoor lighting is also noteworthy, capturing good results even in well-lit rooms. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's ability to handle outdoor lighting is also impressive, producing good results even in bright sunlight. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

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The camera's ability to capture good results in a variety of lighting conditions is a major plus. It's a feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in different environments.

The camera's ability to handle low-light situations is impressive, producing good results even in challenging conditions. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's autofocus is quick and accurate, making it a pleasure to use. You can rely on it to capture sharp images every time.

The camera's ability to handle indoor lighting is also noteworthy, capturing good results even in well-lit rooms. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's ability to handle outdoor lighting is also impressive, producing good results even in bright sunlight. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's ability to capture good results in a variety of lighting conditions is a major plus. It's a feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in different environments.

The camera's sensor is capable of producing good results in a variety of lighting conditions. It's a testament to the quality of the camera's hardware.

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The camera's ability to handle low-light situations is impressive, producing good results even in challenging conditions. It's a great feature for taking photos in everyday life.

The camera's autofocus is quick and accurate, making it a pleasure to use. You can rely on it to capture sharp images every time.

The Z1's camera is a great feature that will come in handy when you need to take photos in different environments.

The ZUK Z1 has its downsides, and one of them is its limited brand recognition, which may make it harder to find support and replacement parts.

The phone's software updates can be slow, which is a concern for users who want to stay on top of the latest security patches and features.

One thing we didn't like about the ZUK Z1 is that it doesn't have a headphone jack, which may be a deal-breaker for some users who prefer wired headphones.

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The ZUK Z1 has some impressive specs, and I'm excited to share them with you. The display is a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080p and a pixel density of 401 ppi.

One of the standout features is the processor, which is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC) running at 2.5GHz, paired with an Adreno 330 3D GPU clocked at 578MHz.

The phone has 64GB of internal storage and 3GB of RAM, which should be enough for most users. However, it's worth noting that the storage is non-expandable, so you're stuck with what you get.

Here's a quick rundown of the ZUK Z1's specs:

The ZUK Z1 also has a 4100mAh battery, which should provide plenty of juice for a day's use.

The ZUK Z1 has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution, 401 ppi pixel density, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The display is also capable of producing 450 nits of brightness.

The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, paired with an Adreno 330 3D GPU running at 578MHz. This combination provides a smooth and responsive user experience.

The ZUK Z1 comes with 64GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. However, it's worth noting that there is no expandable storage option.

The phone features 3GB of RAM, which should handle multitasking and demanding apps with ease. The ZUK Z1 also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, and GPS for connectivity.

Here's a summary of the ZUK Z1's key specifications:

The ZUK Z1 also features a 13MP Sony Exmor RS stack sensor with optical image stabilization and a 8MP front camera with OmniBSI-2 technology. The phone's battery is 4100mAh, which should provide a full day's use and then some.

The ZUK Z1 is a solid choice for those on a budget, with a launch price of €374.99 that can be beaten by buying through Spanish eBay for as little as €279.99.

One thing to keep in mind is that this offer is only available until October 6, so act fast if you're interested.

The phone can also be found on eBay France for €280 between October 4 and 11.

For those in the US, the ZUK Z1 isn't officially available yet, but you can find it on eBay for around $350.

In terms of value, the 4100 mAh battery and 64GB of on-board storage are definite highlights.