Chinese cellphone maker ZTE is heading to next week’s International CES with a number of firsts for the company, including its first phablet, first voice-unlocking smartphone, first smart watch, and first phone to display two apps simultaneously.
The launches include a smartphone with 4K video capture.
Other new products include a combination mobile hot spot/video projector, and a 4G smartphone developed exclusively for AT&T no-contract subsidiary Aio Wireless. The company also said it is working with AT&T to develop a device that lets users connect a home telephone to the AT&T wireless network to access unlimited local and long distance calling for $20 per month.
The smartphone with voice unlocking is the flagship Grand S II with voice-control technology that enables voice-recognition unlocking and camera control. Its “high-precision” audio features include triple-microphone noise reduction.
In what it is calling its first Iconic Phablet, ZTE will launch a 5.7-inch smartphone with ability to display two applications simultaneously on the screen. It comes with quad-core processor, Gorilla Glass, Dolby Digital Sound, and wireless charging.
The company’s first smart watch is the BlueWatch, which features built-in pedometer and records and analyzes such health data as body fat percentage. The watch, which connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth, enables on-wrist control of calls, content, photography, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
ZTE also developed a combination mini video projector/Wi-Fi hotspot called the Projector Hotspot. The device can provide 4G access for up to eight clients simultaneously.
Two next-generation smartphones in the nubia family are the nubia 5S and nubia 5S mini. The larger nubia 5S features a 5-inch Sharp 1080p FHD display, 4K Ultra HD video capture, 13-megapixel camera with a Sony RS sensor, F2.0 aperture, and DSLR-like photo options. The nubia 5S mini features 4.7-inch Sharp IGZO display and comes in an array of colorful finishes.
Both nubia models feature Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processors and professional-grade photography hardware and software, the company said.
Another new phone is the ZTE Sonata 4G, which is being developed exclusively for Aio Wireless with Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.4GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 5-megapixel camera with flash, 720p video capture, 4-inch display, and a 1780mAh battery.
