The ZTE Blade A36, launched in June 2025, enters the ultra-budget smartphone segment with essential features, Android 15, and a price tag of just €60. But can it hold its own in a competitive market? Let’s dive into a detailed review to find out if the ZTE Blade A36 is worth your money.
The ZTE Blade A36 sports a glass front with a plastic frame and back, measuring 167.6 x 77.4 x 8.3 mm. Despite its budget nature, it feels reasonably sturdy in the hand. Available in Black, Green, and Silver, the design is minimal but neat.
A 6.75-inch IPS LCD dominates the front with a 720 x 1600 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Though not Full HD, the screen size and refresh rate are impressive at this price point, making it decent for casual browsing and streaming.
Powered by the Unisoc T7200 chipset (12nm), paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), the Blade A36 is built for basic usage. It handles social media, web browsing, and light gaming reasonably well, thanks to its octa-core CPU (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) and Mali-G57 MP1 GPU.
One of the highlights is the inclusion of Android 15, which means users get the latest software experience, typically rare at this price point. While bloatware may still exist, the UI is clean and fluid for everyday use.
The 13MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash can capture usable daylight photos. It records video at 1080p@30fps. On the front, a 5MP selfie shooter offers modest performance—suitable for video calls and casual selfies.
Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the phone easily lasts a full day of usage. However, the 10W wired charging is quite slow, which may be noticeable if you're used to faster standards.
The device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, FM radio, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port. Unfortunately, there’s no NFC, which limits mobile payment options. It retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a welcome inclusion.
The ZTE Blade A36 is priced at approximately €60, making it one of the most affordable smartphones in the market. At this price, it's clearly aimed at first-time smartphone users, students, or as a reliable secondary device.
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In real-world use, the ZTE Blade A36 performs decently for basic smartphone tasks. It's not designed for high-end gaming or photography, but it comfortably handles calling, messaging, browsing, and social media. The Android 15 software feels surprisingly smooth considering the hardware.
The display, though limited to HD+, stands out with its 90Hz refresh rate—a rare treat at this budget level. The lack of fast charging and NFC might bother some users, but those are forgivable omissions for the price.
If you're looking for a super-budget phone with reliable battery life, a large screen, and the latest Android experience, the ZTE Blade A36 is an easy recommendation. It’s ideal for basic users—especially students, elders, or those needing a simple device for calls, social media, and web browsing.
However, if you're someone who needs better camera performance, faster charging, or plans to game or multitask heavily, you might want to consider a slightly higher-priced alternative.
The ZTE Blade A36 doesn’t promise to wow—but it delivers where it counts: software, screen size, and battery. It offers excellent value for its €60 price and covers the basics well without unnecessary frills. For its target audience, it’s a smart and sensible choice.
Q1: What is the price of the ZTE Blade A36?
A: The ZTE Blade A36 is priced at around €60, making it a highly affordable budget smartphone.
Q2: Does the ZTE Blade A36 support Android 15?
A: Yes, it comes pre-installed with Android 15, offering the latest features and a smoother user interface.
Q3: Is the ZTE Blade A36 good for gaming?
A: It handles casual games fine, but it’s not ideal for heavy gaming due to its entry-level chipset and limited GPU.
Q4: How is the camera quality of the ZTE Blade A36?
A: The 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras are basic but sufficient for casual photography and video calls in good lighting.
Q5: Does the ZTE Blade A36 have fast charging?
A: No, it supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards.
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