Design
The ZTE C88 design is not new. With its wide and thin flip-phone look, the C88 looks a lot like all the other Razr clones i have seen in recent years. Measuring 3.9 inches long by 1.9 inches wide by 0.66 inch thick, the C88 is flat all around and is thin enough to fit comfortably into a shirt pocket. And at less than 3.5 ounces, it is not that heavy. Hinges felt like they were strong when it came to opening and closing the phone and the phone is held well in my hand.



As with most flip phones, I am pleased to see a 1-inch-diagonal external display on the C88. It is a color screen, but unfortunately it could not be used as a camera, as a viewfinder, nor the identity of the caller, which I believe is a disgrace. It would display the usual date, time, status and battery information, though, and the identification of the appellant. The screen is above the camera, but no flash or self-portrait mirror, which is a double shame because you can not use the external display as a viewfinder.

Open the flap and you find 2 inches wide-262000-color display. Although the images were saturated in color, I would prefer a better appearance. I am also are not fans of blue washed default menu screen. You can adjust the backlighting time, the style of menu, the clock format, the font size numbering, as well as the screen.

Characteristics
The C88 is ZTE middle-of-the-road, as far as features go. It does not have EV-DO, so you will not find any high-end video or music service, but you get some multimedia features, as well as the basics. The C88 comes with a 500-entry contacts list, with the entry in each room for four numbers, e-mail address, and notes. You can organize your contacts into caller groups as well. Other basic features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, a calculator, an alarm clock, calendar, calculator edge, a world clock, and a voice memo recorder. On the top, there are also stereo Bluetooth and a voice command function. However, note that you can use voice dialling only if you already have contacts listed in the phone - i have not been able to voice dial a number that was not listed in telephone directories.

Performance
I tested the call/speaker quality and it was excellent – when I called my dad he thought I was calling from a landline, and we could hear each other loud and clear. Speakerphone calls were not so good, though - the sound quality was bad and I had problems hearing what my dad said.

The sound quality on the phone speakers were very bad and hollow, with no bass. The sound quality streamed on the headset is much better, however. The C88 has a battery rated at 3.3 hours talk time and 5 days of standby. Overall the phone brings nothing new to the market so I think for myself, okay I tested it but I didn’t see any real good reason to buy it.

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