ZTE's 6-Inch Max XL Android Nougat Smartphone Costs Only $130

Chinese phone maker ZTE has announced a new 6-inch smartphone called the Max XL. The handset is exclusively available from Sprint’s Boost Mobile and only costs $129.99.

The ZTE Max XL’s 6-inch IPS display has a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 screen resolution and is covered by Gorilla Glass 3. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1.4GHz octa-core processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The handset comes with a micrSD card slot and users can expand storage up to 128GB, according to Android Authority.

The ZTE Max XL houses a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. The fingerprint sensor is located on the back of the handset, while up front the device are three touch capacitive keys. The device also houses a 3,990 mAh battery ,which ZTE says can offer up to 26.6 hours of talk time.

The Max XL includes a headphone jack and a USB Type-C port. Software-wise, the device runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat straight out of the box.

Overall, the ZTE Max XL is a pretty decent mid-range smartphone. The company is marketing the device primarily for those who enjoy streaming videos and playing games, according to The Verge. However, its small 2GB RAM might not be enough for heavy or demanding type of usage.

ZTE says that the Max XL is its first smartphone available from Boost Mobile that is able to support Sprint’s HPUE technology or High Performance User Equipment. This just means that the device will have better network coverage indoors, while also having faster network speeds. Other handsets that support Sprint’s HPUE tech include the LG G6 and the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Although the ZTE Max XL already seems like a steal for its $129.99 price tag, users can also get it from Boost Mobile’s 2GB LTE plan which includes unlimited talk and text for $30 with auto-renew or $35 without. Users can also get the handset for $50 a month under the Unlimited Gigs plan, according to Phone Arena.