Android Magazine 58 - 2015 UK

Review

overall camera experience, but particularly in
good light the camera is very good.
Unfortunately, low-light performance is poorer
than we would expect from an OIS device.
Furthermore, the Lollipop Camera2 API isn’t
supported and this then limits the ability to use
third-party camera apps such as Manual Camera.
An especially popular feature to include on
devices at the moment is a fi ngerprint sensor.
The ZUK Z1 does deliver this sensor built into
the home button. Waking the device requires a
press on the button after which the fi ngerprint
is recognised. The recognition is extremely fast
and very accurate – we compared the
performance to a Galaxy S6 and the ZUK was
appreciably quicker. Very impressive.

Connectivity on the Z1 is extensive. As well

as offering dual nano-SIM support (LTE on the

main SIM, 2G on the second – note that band

20 LTE isn’t supported, which O2 and Vodafone

use in the UK), the phone includes Bluetooth

4.1 and dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. GPS support

includes Glonass for additional accuracy.

It’s diffi cult to pinpoint things that could be

better executed on the Z1 as it’s so very well

thought out. Aside from better speakers (the

single base-mounted speaker is weak), a more

premium material on the back and perhaps a

slightly more unique design, we think ZUK has got

it spot on, even without taking the price point into

account. Yet another company the established

players have to worry about then.

TheZUKZ1isanall-roundgreat

phone with its Cyanogen OS and

huge battery really topping off an

excellent value package

ZUK Z1

»More informationzuk-store.com

»Supplied byZUK Store Europe

»^ Operating system ............. Cyanogen OS (Android 5.1.1)

»^ Processor ................................^ Qualcomm Snapdragon 801

2.5GHz quad-core

»^ Memory ..................................... 64GB storage / 3GB RAM

»^ Dimensions ............................ 155.7 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm

»^ Weight .........................................175g

»^ Display size ............................5.5-inches

»^ Display resolution .............1920 x 1080 pixels (401 ppi)

»^ Front camera ........................8MP

»^ Rear camera..........................13MP

»^ Connectivity .......................... 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1

»^ Expansion slot .....................N/A

Te c h n i c a l s p e c s

The combination of a near-stock Android OS and a

massive 4,100mAh battery means the ZUK Z1 will outlast

anything else on sale today

Battery life

Verdict

Good for

Bad for

If you like power, the Z1 is ideal. A powerful yet frugal

processor and monster battery will keep you going all day

Power users

The front-facing camera is 8MP in size and produces

impressive quality selfies

High-resolution selfies

On the white model, the overall size and shiny plastic back

does not make it feel like a premium product

Being big and shiny

While the camera is definitely superior to many budget

devices outdoors, it can struggle in low light

Low-light shooting

£206/$310

Blackorwhite?

The ZUK Z1 is available in two

colours: black with a grey back

orwhitewithawhiteback.The

greymodelhasaslightlyless

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so is less susceptible to

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No NFC

As is common with many

devicesthatoriginatefrom

China, the ZUK Z1 doesn’t

include NFC functionality. This

isnotahugeissueasitstands

today, but ultimately when

Android Pay launches in the

UK, NFC will quickly become

thenextmust-havefeature

The monster battery

It’s certainly not the only trick it

hasupitssleeve,buttheZ1’s

4,100mAh battery is a monster.

It makes the device heavy

compared to its competitors at

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unbeatable battery life