ZOPO ZP900 Leader Review: ANDROID ICS 5.3" IPS QHD Screen Dual Core 3G 8MP Android Smart Phone

Its the ZOPO ZP900 Leader comes with ICS out of the box. Clocked at 1GHz MTK MT6577 Dual Core CPU with a very clear display, team up with a 8.0mp camera, and a display resolution of QHD 960x540 pixels, 4Gb ROM, and 1Gb RAM.

I've been using this phone for a week now since I got it from China via DHL Express.

ZOPO Pilot ZP100 Specs

 Here’s a short round-up of the ZP900 specs:

• Android 4.0.4 ICS
• 5.3 inch Sharp IPS qHD grade screen with 960×540 resolution
• 5-point capacitive multi-touch
• 1GHz MediaTek MT6577ARMv7 Dual Core CPU (Cortex-A9)
• PowerVR SGX531T GPU
• 1GB RAM + 4GB ROM (support external memory card up to 32GB)
• 8.0 mega pixel camera 720p HD video recording + 2.0 mega pixel front-facing camera
• Dual SIM-dual standby with 3G/WCDMA/HSDPA and 2G/Edge support

The 1GHz MTK6577 Dual Core CPU with PowerVR SGX531T GPU is very much effective on playing any HD games I had tried with no problems at all. No need for script tweaks as per the hardware itself can handle everything. If you love gaming, then this handset with this specs will never fail you. Plus, having a 5.3″ qHD screen with 960×540 resolution lets you have a very clear display, detail is crisp.

UNBOXING THE ZOPO ZP900

The ZP900 comes with a sturdy black box packaging. Opening the container portion of the box, here’s what you’ll get from the inside:

• ZOPO ZP900 Leader unit
• 2300mAh Li-ion battery
• wall charger
• USB data and charging cable
• earphones
• English instruction manuals and papers
• a copy of your receipt from ZOPO

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

The ZOPO ZP900 sports a 5.3″ screen. Its a big screen phone but it feels goon in your hand and it doesn't feel too big and not too thick as well, giving a premium feel with respect to its design and shape. The big screen is fantastic because when you go through all the settings you don't feel cramp at all like you're struggling with your thumbs. If you've got big hands or you just like a lot of space to play around with stuffs the ZOPO ZP900 5.3" screen is for you.

(Bottom)

(Top)

In the front it have a 2mp front facing camera and a home button, and two capacitive buttons which lights up and sensitive to the touch. At the bottom you have a microphone and a USB port for charging and data transfers. On the right-hand side you have the power button and the volume toggle buttons. On the top we have the 3.5mm audio jack. At the back you will see the ZOPO logo, it sports a 8mp camera with dual led at the center top and an external speaker at the buttom. Its back cover is made of plastic but it does not feel cheap and it feels sturdy, flexible but not breakable.

ZP900 CAMERA: IMAGING and VIDEO

The ZP900 sports a 8.0 megapixel camera with dual LED flash. The camera is good and it does a good job on daylight and the LED flash is very powerful. When you're taking photos at night you might want to experiment with the settings and take snapshots with or without the LED flash because you may get some washed out photos because the flash is just to bright, but if you tweak the camera settings you can really take some very good low light photos without the need of the flash.

Here are sample shots I made with the ZOPO ZP900 camera:

• Image 1
• Image 2
• Image 3
• Image 4
• Image 5
• Image 6

 

THE BATTERY

ZP900 is packed with a 2300mAh battery, its enough for a day use. Since its on ICS, it consumes more power; it really depends on how you’re  going to use the phone.

In normal usage, battery could last up to 3 days (not much usage of the phone). As for me, I was just making 1 single charge per day, enough for casual use of SMS/calls, WiFi/Internet, music and gaming before it drains out.

GAMING

As mentioned above, the ZP900 is a good phone for gaming with its MediaTek MT6577 ARMv7 1GHz Dual Core CPU. Even HD and 3D games works well without lags. Temple Run from the PlayStore runs smoothly, the tilt function works. Other games that requires the gyro and other sensors works as well.
Here’s a shortlist of the games I had tested: Temple Run, Ski Safari, Real Racing 2, Final Fantasy III, Dead Trigger, Shadow Gun, Cut the Rope HD, Zombie Evil, Age of Zombie, Fruit Ninja HD, Jetpack Joyride, Front Command HD and many other games I forgot already. All of them, no lags at all.

MEDIA PLAYBACK

I tried playing a 786MB-size AVI-format movie file on its default player and on Mobo Player app, and it played smoothly. Its a 720p video with H264 codec. With qHD sharp IPS screen of the ZP900, media viewing is a real entertainment comfort.

3G/HSDPA SUPPORT and DUAL SIM/DUAL STANDBY

The ZP900 is another dual-SIM Android phone. HSDPA or 3G is supported on the 1st SIM slot while the other slot only supports for Edge or 2G. You can also set to use WCDMA only, and even disable 3G (if you want to save battery). Upon activating Packet Data connectivity, you’ll be prompt to select which SIM to use for connecting to mobile internet.

You can use two SIM cards on the same time, and both can receive SMS at the same time and send SMS at ease. Both can receive calls, both SIMs are active, you don’t have do some switching actions that is inconvenient. This phone is totally unlocked and works on different bands from 850-2100.

VERDICT

What I like about the ZP900:

• I am satisfied with the specs, features and performance
• cheap yet higher specs compared to other devices of same price range or even those branded devices with higher price
• has active support from manufacturers (Thanks Jessica and Alice!) :)

What I don’t like:

•  Powerful Dual LED Flash

I can say that my ZOPO ZP900 is really worth the $239.99 price tag (almost Php10K). Its really a bang for the bucks, getting it is already a steal! It beats any other more known Android handsets that sells locally with P10K+ price in many aspects.Although I have paid more due to the additional options that I have availed from their web store, still its worth it.

Unfortunately, this unit isn’t that much available here locally in our country (Philippines). If you want to get this phone, you’ll have to order it online from Chinese mobile phone sellers. I purchased my ZOPO ZP900 at the Zopo Mobile Shop online.

I've paid for the phone I purchased a screen protector, an additional flip case cover, and a case for the phone. I also availed the $9 Root service they offer and an additional $5 for the Insurance. I paid my transaction via Western Union but I paid an additional Php900 for the money transfer fee, you may have the option to pay via PayPal without the burden of paying an additional fee of Php900. The reason I chose Western Union was because it will only take less than or exactly 24hrs for my order to be processed while in PayPal it will take 48hrs.

(Back Protector case and Screen Protector)

I am still using the stock screen protector that comes with the phone until now and it still looks good.

(Flip Case Back cover)

I was expecting to pay a lower tax since my package was declared as an Li-Ion Batteries and gift, but the customs office opened the package and discovered it contains a smart phone and so I paid Php548 on the DHL Express Delivery that sent it to my doorsteps for the customs tax.

According to ZOPO they will release a Jelly Bean update for ZP900 next year. Still waiting for it but for now with the device running on ICS v4.0.4 I am satisfied with it. :D