Before we get into the review lets take a look at the basics of the Zopo ZP998.
The device has a 5.5 inch 1080p display, a Mediatek MT6592 octa core processor clocked at 1.7 GHz, and 2 GB of RAM. Their is a memory expansion slot, OTG, NFC, and the phone is powered by a 2400 mAh battery.
Display
The display on the ZP998 really is amazing. The colors are so brilliant and bright and the viewing angles are excellent. Even when the screen is put onto auto, it remains quite bright. There aren’t many phones you run across that really make you take notice, but without a doubt, Zopo has done an outstanding job choosing a proper LCD for the ZP998.
Software
Zopo have modified the ROM and UI this time around, but I really liked it. They didn’t do so much that I was lost in the changes but just enough for me realize it was different. The icons have an iPhone feel to them but you still keep all of the flexibility of Android. You can’t add widgets by long pressing on the screen, but if you go to your main app menu the widget section is still there to be used. Also, the system and pull down menus have blue text on a white background which is a simple but a nice change from the norm.
Wi-Fi
The way I tested the Wi-Fi was to take a 5Ghz and 2.4 Ghz speed test right by my router. I then took another 2 tests at the furthest point at the top level of my house and a third set of tests at the furthest point in my basement. Just a note, I have had recent phones and tablets that have struggled badly in the location of the second test and had no reception at all in the basement location. So how did the Zopo do?
5Ghz download speeds:
- Router 31Mbps
- Top level 26 Mbps
- Basement 13 Mbps
2.4Ghz download speeds:
- Router 34 Mbps
- Top level 34 Mbps
- Basement 29 Mbps
These are some of the strongest signals I’ve tested in a mobile device. Another success for Zopo.
Call clarity
I made numerous calls and while the ZP998 was far from the top of the list for volume, the clarity was very good. Keep in mind the volume may be raised in the engineering settings. A simple download of Mobile Uncle and the changes can be attempted.
Speakers
I tested the speakers with various styles of music with no issues. Although they aren’t the loudest on the market, they definitely get the job done. They were crisp when they needed to be and carried enough bass to get by, but would be considered lacking for users that listen to styles with heavy bass. Like most phones the speaker is on the rear of the phone so having it turned away from you or placing it with the back side down will muffle the sound.
Video playback
I tested the video capabilities with 1080p, 720p, and Youtube. There was no lagging or stuttering on any of the files I used. The MT6592 handles any media you throw at it with ease. Whether the new Clearmotion technology that automatically converts frame rates played any part in that is uncertain, but the results were good.
Web browsing
I have found the web browsing on the new MT6592 octa cores to be much faster than the MT6589T quad cores, and the ZP998 is no exception. I used Maxthon browser to navigate many web pages during my time using the phone and found it’s performance was consistently very good. Oddly enough I found the H9008 I tried last month to have slightly faster browsing even thought they are using the same SoC.
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