ZUK Z1 review: Has the goal of “Android version of iPhone” been achieved?

I'm sorry, I don't know the specific meaning and accurate pronunciation of the three letters ZUK yet.

However, it is said that this is a mobile phone brand that determines its brand name through domain name. It first finalized the ZUK.COM domain name, and then named its mobile phone ZUK.

For such a newly established and slightly dramatic brand, its CEO Chang Cheng hinted that the target was "Android version of iPhone" before the release of its first product. In contrast to "Boss Steve Jobs" and "Master Tim Cook", Chang Cheng was given the title of "shopkeeper".

Today, ZUK has not only officially released its first product, the Z1, but has also recently announced that it is now available for purchase. So, can the original goal of creating an “Android version of iPhone” be achieved?

Make packaging simpler

A brand's first product should put more effort into packaging, but the packaging of ZUK Z1 is still quite simple, especially compared with the Meizu PRO 5 that arrived at the same time. The packaging box of ZUK Z1 is almost the same size as the phone and can be described as simple.

This kind of packaging style will obviously remind you of Apple's iPhone, and the ZUK smiley face graffiti-style seal also has a bit of the meaning of HTC's early packaging. In addition, although the packaging box is made of paper, its texture is really almost the same as plastic.

It's just that in terms of the accessories in the packaging, ZUK Z1 is really too simplified. Although we are already used to it, the USB Type-C data cable is just "sunken" in the box, which is not like the common "high-profile style" of domestic manufacturers. Recalling that at the press conference, ZUK Z1 emphasized "making the choice simpler", well, let's make the packaging simpler.

Appearance & performance: rational or conservative?

After holding back for so long, ZUK finally released a product that cannot be the first in the industry in any parameters. To be honest, if this happened to Xiaomi, Lei Jun himself probably wouldn't dare to hold a press conference.

First of all, in terms of appearance design, ZUK Z1 does not imitate the three-section front face of HTC One like most domestic manufacturers, but returns to a more popular and conventional design language. The side effect is that it may look similar to Apple and Samsung. Fortunately, like Hammer T1, ZUK Z1 places the earpiece and sensor on the front in an opening, making the white machine look a lot cleaner.

In this era where the screen borders of mobile phones can be made as narrow as 1-2mm, the ZUK Z1 is definitely not a "narrow-border" product. In addition, compared with other mobile phones, the black border inside the screen is more obvious. Although the ZUK Z1 feels like it can still be operated with one hand, compared with other 5.5-inch screen phones, it can only show off its "figure" in front of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

With a metal middle frame and a polycarbonate glossy back cover, the back of the ZUK Z1 looks very much like the "Art Journey of a Steel Plate" of the Xiaomi 4. Considering the large-capacity 4100mAh battery, the back cover is also processed into a curved surface that fits the palm more closely, and the processing method of the curved surface is also very similar to that of the Xiaomi 4, making it comfortable to hold.

It has to be said that it is a pity that ZUK's first product does not use the full metal body that most consumers prefer. After all, in the second half of this year, competing products with a similar positioning to ZUK Z1 and a similar or even lower price all wore a "metal one-piece molding" coat.

But on the other hand, it is quite wise that ZUK did not pursue 2K or 4K, but chose a 1080P display whose display fineness has far exceeded the "retina" standard. However, the GFF full-bonding technology still makes this screen look a bit lacking. Compared with the common OGS on mainstream products, the GFF full-bonding technology fully bonds the screen with the protective glass and touch layer. GFF refers to Glass+Film+Film, where the touch layer and the protective glass are glued together. Although it is also fully bonded, it is a pity that the light transmittance and brightness of the screen will be compromised.

In terms of performance, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor is the most rational and controversial part of ZUK Z1. The "heat-consuming" Snapdragon 810 is undoubtedly difficult to be an ideal choice for a mobile phone product that focuses on user experience. However, there is the 805 on Samsung Galaxy Note4 and the 808 on LG G4. Although the 801 is sufficient, the choice of ZUK Z1 is not extreme enough. A reasonable explanation for this is that in addition to the price of 1,799 yuan, the "generous" comprehensive configuration such as 64G storage space should not be ignored.

ZUI? The “most” UI?

The emergence of ZUK finally conquered the word UI in the form of Chinese pinyin, and ZUI became "most" UI.

After the latest system update, the ZUI version of the ZUK Z1 in our hands has been upgraded to 1.0.062. ZUI has been saying "no lag in use" at the press conference, but "smoothness" is nothing new in the current domestic mobile phone industry.

ZUI, like Smartisan OS of Hammer, sneers at wallpapers with icons on the faces of relatives. What is even more extreme than Luo Yonghao is that the lock screen wallpaper will only give you a limited square space, a kind of arrogant and fresh feeling.

Without wallpapers, icons are a very important part of ZUI’s visual experience. ZUI does have its own ideas on icon design, but the style is not unified enough.

For example, the phone and text message icons at the bottom of the interface are ellipses in different positions, while the browser and camera on the other side are perfect circles of exactly the same size.

The icons of some of the system's built-in applications can basically be divided into two camps: irregular shapes that can be used to play connect-the-dots games and perfect circular designs.

In addition, there is also a sense of fragmentation in third-party applications. Some icons can be said to be borrowed from Meizu Flyme OS, while social application icons such as QQ, WeChat, and Weibo are more inclined to the realistic and enlarged OPPO Color OS. Icons such as QQ Music have returned to the design language of the applications that come with the ZUI system.

In terms of operating logic, ZUI follows the same thinking as Apple's iOS. It separates system notifications and quick settings through a drop-down menu and a slide-up menu. In addition, the design of this slide-up quick settings menu does take some thought. It is no longer a copy of Apple's design like some other brands, which is worthy of praise.

With the help of the physical buttons below the screen, ZUI brings U-Touch to achieve more interactive functions. In addition to the function of the HOME button, it also includes fingerprint recognition, touch return similar to Meizu mBack, double-press multitasking, and swipe left and right to switch applications. Frankly speaking, after getting used to the operation of physical buttons, touch return is still very useful, but swiping left and right to switch applications is a bit of an excessive exploration of user needs.

Unlike the iPhone, which is characterized by physical buttons, the physical buttons of ZUK Z1 have a shorter and harder key travel, which is similar to what Meizu does.

Finally, on the camera interface, ZUI continues to maintain the "simplicity" of ZUK. There are very few adjustable options in the entire camera interface. The photo size and resolution settings are integrated into the system settings. It is worth noting that the ZUK Z1 in this ZUI version does not support 4K video shooting.

The “Android iPhone” has a long way to go

As an industry benchmark, Apple iPhone has high prices and sales, but its innovation is becoming increasingly limited. This may be the reason why other mobile phone manufacturers are constantly rushing to challenge the "Android version of iPhone".

As a newcomer in the mobile phone industry, ZUK also took up this challenge. Instead of competing on running scores or relying on appearance, it chose a route that focuses more on user experience and is more practical.

But overall, the "Android version of iPhone" still has a long way to go. Facing ZUK Z1, we have many reasons to expect ZUK Z2 to bring us more amazing things.

Besides, by now, iPhone 6s has been released.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.