The ZTE Imperial II is a super cheap Android device on UScellular

U.S. Cellular hasn’t always been the most price-friendly carrier out there, but they’re about to get one more inexpensive option. ZTE’s Imperial II is now being sold on the carrier for only $149.99.

This handset isn’t the most high end device we’ve ever seen, but it’s still a viable option for anyone looking for an inexpensive off-contract option. The phone comes with a 5-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of on-board storage. The device is also 4G LTE compatible and brings a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 2300mAh battery and is running Android 4.4.2 KitKat. A recent ZTE survey stated that 83% of respondents wanted a bigger screen, while only 22% were willing to pay a higher price. Hence, the improvements in the Imperial II up from the first generation.

Just to be clear, the press release launched earlier states that the phone will be sold on UScellular off-contract for only $100, though the UScellular website total reads $149.99. We checked with a representative from the carrier, and the phone will in fact be sold for $149.99.

[press] ZTE USA, the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and second largest in the off-contract market*, today announced the Imperial II will be available with UScellular at $0 down with a two year contract or at the off-contract price of $100. The Imperial II is the successor to the Imperial, which was one of UScellular’s most sold phones. The next generation Imperial II was updated with a bigger screen falling in line with a recent ZTE survey where 83% of respondents said they are interested in having a bigger screen phone but only 22% were willing to pay a higher price.

“The Imperial II is a result of listening to what customers want and applying our expertise to produce an affordable premium device. Not only does the phone have one of the biggest and brightest screens in its price class, it also has a better user experience with features such as LTE and a quad-core processor you won’t find in similar devices,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. “Our affordable premium device strategy is shifting the U.S. smartphone landscape*, especially in prepaid. We’re extremely confident that the Imperial II will further propel our growth and the growth of such a great partner like UScellular.”

The budget-friendly Android smartphone was updated with a stunning 5-inch qHD capacitive multi-touch screen, improved camera sensors, SRS TruMedia, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Android KitKat 4.4.2 and 8 GB of internal memory, while sporting microSDHC™ for expanding device storage memory up to 32 GB.

The Imperial II is the latest in a line of no-contract devices launched by ZTE in 2014, following on the heels of the very successful sales of the Grand XMAX and Warp Sync. The Imperial II allows ZTE to continue its leadership in the no-contract market and pioneering the standards of feature-rich smartphones that are affordably priced.

ZTE Imperial II Specs:

• Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2 GHz Quad-Core
• 5-inch qHD capacitive 5-point multi-tough screen
• Internal: 8 GB eMMC and 1 GB DDR3 RAM
• 4G LTE: B2/B4/B5/B12/B17
• Bluetooth^® 4.0
• 2,300 mAh Battery
• 5 MP rear-facing camera

The Imperial II allows users to stay remarkably connected and entertained, whether the consumer is downloading one of the million apps on Google Play^TM or simply calling a friend. Coupled with UScellular’s advanced wireless network, the Imperial II puts users in the driver’s seat of their wireless life.

About ZTE USA

ZTE USA (http://www.zteusa.com/), a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation is a leading global provider of mobile handsets, telecommunications equipment and network solutions. Operating since 1998, ZTE USA is dedicated to making cost-efficient, quality communications technology accessible to all. The company provides a magnitude of devices to every major US-based carrier, generates over $17.4 billion dollars’ worth of business for US-based companies and devotes more than 10 percent of its revenue to R&D. ZTE USA is headquartered in Richardson, Texas and operates 17 sales offices, customer service centers, R&D and distribution facilities across the US. ZTE is ranked as the country’s fourth-largest supplier of mobile devices overall, and second-largest supplier of prepaid devices, by independent analysts. ZTE is the Official Smartphone of the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Houston Rockets. [/press]