ZTE Anthem 4G Pro Reviews

I have a hard time recommending the ZTE Anthem 4G to anyone. The size and weight are hard to ignore, but could be overlooked if the Anthem's performance warranted it. Sadly, the Anthem falls short just about everywhere else. The network performance, poor call quality, and battery life alone are enough to sink the Anthem. Add in the year-old platform software, crummy camera and video camera results, and god-awful mobile web experience, and you have an all-around loser. I might cut ZTE some slack, since this is its first LTE device for MetroPCS, but that doesn't mean consumers should have to suffer. There are plenty of LTE 4G alternatives available from MetroPCS that perform much, much better. I don't hear any anthems being sung for the Anthem; but I might hear Taps.

I understand that wireless carriers have a business to run and that no-contract providers like MetroPCS lack the funds to absorb the cost of premium phones. Still, they can certainly make choosing the right smartphone a difficult decision. The $199.99 ZTE Anthem 4G is a perfect example. MetroPCS promises that this device provides Android, dual-core processing, 4G LTE, and "rich features [designed] to keep up with your lifestyle." That's all well and good but the reality is that the Anthem 4G marches to the slow slog of a weak processor and obsolete Android software. Now combine this with the phone's dim, low-res screen and thick, boring plastic construction and you're left with a device only desperate Android seekers should consider. For all other tech-savvy MetroPCS shoppers, I suggest two options. You can save your pennies toward one day owning the pricey though top-tier $499 Samsung Galaxy S3. Another, and much wiser option, is the $149 LG Motion 4G. The Motion boasts a faster processor, the more recent Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and a better camera, for $50 less than the ZTE Anthem 4G.

It's hard to recommend ZTE's Anthem, despite the 4G connection and solid call quality. The main reason is the older software and the camera, but the price also is an enormous factor. With a mail-in rebate coupon, the phone prices out at $219 plus tax. But Metro has long prided itself on affordable monthly plans, which could attract budget buyers who need to keep their plan costs down. We would recommend looking at other phones in a similar price range, because you can find cheaper (and more expensive) options that offer you a much more robust OS. If you're willing to settle for 2.3: Gingerbread, the Samsung Exhibit II 4G isn't a bad option. Even Metro PCS has plenty of options that can keep you within a budget, while getting a bit more cutting-edge. Even Metro PCS has said that this phone will only be available for a limited time, which makes it sound more like it's headed for the bargain bin, not a collector's shelf.

The warbling ZTE Anthem 4G doesn't deliver nearly enough oomph to warrant its purchase.