ZTE

Apple, Samsung get knocked down a peg

Apple isn't the only one feeling the heat despite a blow-out quarter; Samsung is seemingly getting punished for its success too.

Both companies have been posting explosive growth in recent quarters and generating the bulk of the mobile industry's profits. While Apple's net income was relatively flat in its fiscal first quarter, its sales still grew 18 percent. And Samsung last night said its fourth-quarter profit soared 76 percent as its sales jumped 19 percent.

For any other company, those sorts of results would be cheered. But for Apple and Samsung, record-breaking quarters just aren't enough. … Read more

ZTE readies itself for U.S. expansion in 2013

LAS VEGAS--Lixin Cheng and the rest of his division are determined to make it in America.

Cheng is the CEO of ZTE's U.S. division, and in addition to strengthening the company's carrier relationships, Cheng also has big plans in the near future to increase ZTE's presence in the U.S.

"There are a lot of things already in the pipeline," he said, referring to the devices planned through U.S. carriers.

But other than just spending money on developing handsets (though Cheng does refer to it as ZTE's "bread and butter"), … Read more

ZTE gets more love from the carriers

LAS VEGAS -- When the head of ZTE's North American business, Lixin Cheng, approached the U.S. carriers about building smartphones more than two years ago, he was met with skepticism.

During Cheng's meetings here at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the carrier executives have told him: "Show me more."

It's indicative of the tremendous strides that ZTE has made in its relationships with the carriers, even as its brand continues to fly under the radar for consumers. After toiling in relative anonymity for the last two years building low-end and mass-market smartphones, the … Read more

ZTE jumps into the high-end with the Grand S (hands-on)

LAS VEGAS--Though it has been on the show floor since CES 2013 opened its doors to the public this morning, ZTE officially announced its newest flagship phone, the anticipated Grand S, at an afternoon press conference today.

As part of ZTE's high-end line of Grand Series handsets, which include the Grand Era and the Grand X, the Grand S is equipped with a 5-inch full HD touch screen, which features 440ppi and is made out of Corning Gorilla Glass.

During my brief time with the handset, the display looked pleasingly bright and crisp, and it's the biggest display … Read more

ZTE at 2013 CES: Join us Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. PT (live blog)

All eyes will be on ZTE as it shows off its new Grand S smartphone during the company's press conference at the 2013 International CES. The event kicks off at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, January 8, and CNET will be there to cover it live. We'll have a live video stream, along with a live blog chock full of news and analysis, as it happens.

You can tune in to the blog and video stream here:

CNET's live coverage of ZTE's 2013 CES press conference

Dropped call: Mobile biggies conspicuous by absence at CES

LAS VEGAS -- Mobile is supposed to be a hot category in tech, right? You'd never know it looking at the announcements that are slated to start pouring in this week.

Many of the major companies in the mobile industry have opted to skip or limit their presence at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off tomorrow for the media before officially opening on Tuesday. The announcements that do come out will emerge from lower-tier companies hoping to make more of a name for themselves and their products.

The dearth of wireless-related news at a time when … Read more

Is ZTE ready for the high-end big leagues?

As CES 2013 in Las Vegas looms around the corner, one thing I'm looking forward to is what ZTE has up its sleeve.

Though it's the fourth-biggest phone manufacturer in the world, the Chinese company remains largely unknown in the United States. Those who do know it are usually those savvy about the mobile industry and even then, the overall impression of ZTE isn't positive.

At best, the company is known for entry-level-to-midrange handsets with mediocre performance and security flaws. At worst, ZTE figures as a national security threat. Yikes.

But as far as devices go, ZTE … Read more

InterDigital calls for sales ban against Samsung, Nokia, others

InterDigital is on the patent warpath again.

The company, famous for holding a boatload of patents on wireless products, filed a complaint yesterday with the United States International Trade Commission against the usual round of tech players.

Citing infringement against seven of its patents, InterDigital wants the ITC to ban the U.S. import of products made by Samsung, Nokia, ZTE, and Huawei.

Specifically, InterDigital alleges that the companies in question have engaged in unfair trade practices by selling certain 3G and 4G wireless devices that violate the seven patents. Without naming any specific products, the complaint points to mobile … Read more

ZTE Wombat from T-Mobile makes its way to FCC

It definitely has been a busy week for ZTE and T-Mobile.

Another device slated for the carrier has appeared under FCC listings.

According to the paperwork, the phone's model name is F555, but it also goes by the label "Wombat." The device looks to be a simple feature phone with a candy bar construction.

External pictures also reveal branding from T-Mobile and an onboard four-row keyboard.

Other features include a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera, a shortcut camera key, a 1,000mAh battery, and microSD card slot.

In addition, the handset comes with Bluetooth, a native music player, and … Read more