ZTE Blade A36 specifications and in-depth review

ZTE Blade A36

Manufacturer: ZTE

The ZTE Blade A36 is a budget-friendly smartphone designed for everyday use, featuring a large 6.75″ LCD display and a sleek body measuring 8.3 mm in thickness. With its simple yet effective design, it provides essential smartphone functionalities, including a 13 MP main camera and a long-lasting 5000 mAh battery.

Under the hood, the ZTE Blade A36 is powered by the Unisoc T7200 chipset, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It supports fast charging at 10W and includes features like dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 5, and a fingerprint scanner for security. The device runs on Android 15, offering a variety of software tools like customizable notifications and privacy options.

Pros
  • Supports dual SIM cards for greater flexibility with mobile networks.
  • Equipped with NFC for easy contactless payments and device pairing.
  • Has a fingerprint scanner for added security and quick unlocking.
  • Offers GPS and compass functionality for accurate navigation.
  • Supports USB Type-C for faster data transfer and charging.
Cons
  • Lacks 5G support, limiting future-proofing for high-speed connectivity.
  • Does not include a stereo speaker setup for enhanced audio quality.
  • Does not feature a curved display or sapphire glass for durability.
  • No support for wireless charging or reverse wireless charging.
  • No support for advanced sensors like a gyroscope or heart rate monitor.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users seeking a reliable smartphone with essential features like dual SIM support and GPS and compass functionality, making it a solid choice for individuals who need versatility in connectivity and navigation. It also offers practical features such as a fingerprint scanner for security and a USB Type-C port for fast data transfer and charging, making it a good option for those who value ease of use and efficiency in their daily tasks.

Who is this NOT for?

This device may not be suitable for users looking for high-end features like 5G support or advanced audio systems, as it lacks support for modern connectivity and a stereo speaker setup. It also doesn't cater to users interested in premium durability, lacking features like sapphire glass or a curved display. Additionally, the absence of wireless charging and advanced sensors such as a gyroscope makes it less appealing for those seeking cutting-edge functionalities or immersive experiences.

Design:

water resistance None
thickness 8.3 mm
width 77.4 mm
height 167.6 mm
volume 107.669592 cm³
has a rugged build
can be folded

The ZTE Blade A36 has a compact design with dimensions of 167.6 mm in height, 77.4 mm in width, and a thickness of 8.3 mm. The device offers a volume of 107.67 cm³, making it reasonably easy to handle. It does not feature water resistance or a rugged build, nor can it be folded. While it lacks the durability of more rugged smartphones, it offers a standard design suited for everyday use.

Display:

Display type LCD, IPS
screen size 6.75"
pixel density 260 ppi
resolution 720 x 1600 px
refresh rate 90Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The ZTE Blade A36 features a large 6.75″ LCD, IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 px, offering a pixel density of 260 ppi. It supports a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother interactions, but it does not include features like Gorilla Glass for damage resistance or advanced HDR support such as HDR10 or Dolby Vision. The display is touch-enabled, though it lacks an always-on feature or a secondary screen.

Performance:

internal storage 64GB
RAM 4GB
Chipset (SoC) name Unisoc T7200
GPU name Mali G57 MP1
CPU speed 2 x 1.6 & 6 x 1.6 GHz
Geekbench 6 result (multi) 1391
Geekbench 6 result (single) 371
Geekbench 5 result (multi) 1175
Geekbench 5 result (single) 313
GPU clock speed 650 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 1600 MHz
semiconductor size 12 nm
Supports 64-bit
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
OpenGL ES version 3.2
Uses big.LITTLE technology
CPU threads 8 threads
Uses HMP
Has TrustZone
maximum memory bandwidth 12.8 GB/s
OpenCL version 2
L2 cache 2 MB
eMMC version 5.1
L1 cache 128 KB
maximum memory amount 14GB
GPU execution units 1
GPU turbo 650 MHz
PassMark result 2663
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 10W
DDR memory version 4
PassMark result (single) 988
shading units 64
L3 cache 1 MB

The ZTE Blade A36 is powered by the Unisoc T7200 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It supports 64-bit processing and offers integrated LTE connectivity. The device features a 2.0 GHz octa-core CPU, with a Mali G57 MP1 GPU running at 650 MHz. It also includes 8 CPU threads, 12.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, and supports DirectX 12 for enhanced graphics performance.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 13 MP
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 13MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 0x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The ZTE Blade A36 comes with a 13 MP main camera and a 13 MP front camera, both capable of capturing detailed images. The main camera supports phase-detection autofocus for better photo clarity and continuous autofocus during video recording. It also includes features such as manual ISO, manual exposure, and HDR for improved image quality, along with the ability to shoot slow-motion video and create panoramas. While it lacks advanced features like optical zoom or a dual-tone LED flash, it provides essential functionalities for everyday photography.

Operating system:

Android version Android 15
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
has Mail Privacy Protection
has theme customization
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
has on-device machine learning
has notification permissions
has media picker
Can play games while they download
has dark mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
has an extra dim mode
has focus modes
has dynamic theming
can offload apps
Has customizable notifications
has Live Text
has full-page screenshots
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
has PiP
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system
has Quick Start

The ZTE Blade A36 runs on Android 15 and offers a range of privacy and customization options. It includes clipboard warnings and location privacy features, as well as camera and microphone access controls. Additionally, the device supports dark mode, dynamic theming, and a variety of user-friendly functions such as media picker, split screen, and customizable notifications. It also allows for battery health checks, offline voice recognition, and voice commands, making it highly versatile for everyday use.

Battery:

battery power 5000 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 10W
has reverse wireless charging
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The ZTE Blade A36 is equipped with a 5000 mAh rechargeable battery, ensuring extended usage. While it does not support wireless charging or reverse wireless charging, it does offer fast charging at 10W for quicker power-ups. Additionally, the device features a battery level indicator, so users can easily monitor their battery status.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio

The device comes equipped with a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones or other audio accessories, ensuring versatile audio options. While it lacks stereo speakers and advanced Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX or LDAC, it does feature a built-in radio for on-the-go listening.

Connectivity & Features:

release date June 2025
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5.2
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
download speed 300 MBits/s
upload speed 100 MBits/s
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

The device offers a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.2 for efficient wireless pairing, USB Type-C for fast data transfer, and support for dual SIM cards. It also features GPS and a compass for accurate location tracking, while NFC enables easy payments and device pairing. Additionally, the device supports external memory and offers download speeds of up to 300 MBits/s.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

This device is equipped with a video light to enhance your video recording experience. However, it does not feature a sapphire glass display, curved display, or an e-paper display, making it a straightforward option for those focused on essential functionality.

Final Verdict

The product offers a solid and practical option for users seeking essential smartphone features, with notable strengths such as dual SIM support and a reliable GPS and compass for navigation. Its USB Type-C port and fingerprint scanner enhance the overall user experience. However, it does have some limitations, especially for users looking for advanced features like 5G support or premium durability. Overall, this device is a good choice for those who prioritize practicality and security in their everyday smartphone use.

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