The ZTE Orbit (also known as the ZTE Render) is a budget smartphone developed by ZTE that runs Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 operating system. It was announced on February 27, 2012 and became available in September 2012.[1][2] The Orbit is the first Windows Phone device to include near field communication.[3][4][5][6] In late September 2012 it was announced a CDMA variant of the Orbit would also launch as the ZTE Render in the US on US Cellular.[7]

ZTE Orbit
ManufacturerZTE
TypeTouchscreen smartphone
First releasedSeptember 2012
Compatible networks2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE – 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
(ZTE Render) 2.5G CDMA – 850, 1900 MHz
3G UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 Mbit/s – 900, 2100 MHz
(ZTE Render) 3G CDMA2000/1xEV-DO 3.1 Mbit/s – 800, 1900 MHz
Form factorBar
Dimensions119.4 mm (4.70 in) H
63.5 mm (2.50 in) W
10.2 mm (0.40 in) D
Weight136 g (4.8 oz)
Operating systemWindows Phone 7.5
CPU1 GHz single core Qualcomm S1 MSM7227A-1
GPUAdreno 200
Memory512 MB RAM
Storage4 GB internal flash and 7 GB free in SkyDrive
BatteryUser serviceable 1600 mAh Li-poly battery
Rear camera5 MP,
720p video capture @ 30 fps
Display4.0 in (100 mm) WVGA TFT, 800 x 480 pixels at 233 ppi, 15:9 aspect ratio, Color depth 16 bit, 65k colors, 60 Hz refresh rate
Connectivity
Data inputsMulti-touch capacitive touchscreen, proximity sensor, and light sensor.
OtherTalk time: Up to 12.6 hours
Standby time: Up to 530 hours (approx. 22 days)

Primary features

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The primary features of the Orbit are:[8]

Availability

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The Orbit was announced at the Mobile World Congress in 2012 as ZTE's second Windows Phone after the ZTE Tania and launched in September 2012.[2][8] It is targeted primarily at emerging markets as well as East Asia.[2][8][9] The Orbit was also announced as one of the launch devices for the Windows Phone platform in China alongside the HTC Titan and a variant of the Nokia Lumia 800.[10][11] In the United States the Orbit launched as a carrier exclusive on US Cellular as the ZTE Render where it was also eventually updated to Windows Phone 7.8.[7][12]

Reception

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The Orbit received mixed reviews upon its announcement and launch. Reviewers noted the relatively low price for the device and that it was targeted for emerging markets and for low cost no-contract sales in the developed world.[13][14] The device was praised for its speed, build quality, aesthetic design, and the presence of NFC, however its thickness, touch screen quality, low brightness levels, and lack of apps that utilize NFC were areas of concern.[13][14][15][16][17] Additionally, the device was compared to the Nokia Lumia 610 which launched as a direct competitor.[3][18]

References

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  1. ^ "ZTE Expands Windows Phone Portfolio". ZTE Corp. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "ZTE Orbit". GSM Arena. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b ZTE Orbit announced, Joao. "ZTE Orbit announced". NFC-Phones.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  4. ^ "ZTE Orbit to be the first Windows Phone with NFC?". MS Power User. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  5. ^ Brodersen, Björn (February 27, 2012). "ZTE zeigt Quad-Core-Smartphone ZTE Era und Windows Phone ZTE Orbit" (in German). Areamobile.de. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  6. ^ Seifert, Dan (February 27, 2012). "Windows Phone 7.5 "Tango" to include support for NFC". MobileBurn.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  7. ^ a b Rubino, Daniel (September 28, 2012). "US Cellular picks up ZTE Render aka 'Orbit' with Windows Phone 7.5 Tango". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Rubino, Daniel (February 27, 2012). "Hands on with the ZTE Orbit Windows Phone featuring NFC [Video]". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  9. ^ 周璞 (March 9, 2012). "中兴:有意进军美国Windows Phone市场". soft.zol.com.cn.
  10. ^ Rubino, Daniel (March 21, 2012). "Microsoft officially launches Windows Phone in China [Photos]". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  11. ^ 黄龙中 (March 22, 2012). "来了!Windows Phone 正式登陆中国". ifanr.
  12. ^ "ZTE Render". US Cellular. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  13. ^ a b Trenholm, Richard (March 5, 2012). "ZTE Orbit". Cnet.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  14. ^ a b Solomon, Kate (February 28, 2012). "In pictures: ZTE Orbit". Techradar.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  15. ^ Hopping, Clare (March 5, 2012). "ZTE Orbit review: First look". Knowyourmobile.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  16. ^ Warren, Tom (February 27, 2012). "ZTE Orbit Windows Phone 'Tango' handset hands-on pictures". The Verge. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  17. ^ P., Daniel (February 28, 2012). "ZTE Orbit Hands-on Review". PhoneArena. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  18. ^ Briden, Paul (March 16, 2012). "ZTE Orbit vs Nokia Lumia 610". Knowyourmobile.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.