ZTE SPro review

The ZTE SPro is a unique device in its class. Given its versatility, the SPro is a jack of all trades, but the tradeoffs to make it portable make the projector a master of none.

This results in the SPro's more limited niche appeal. If you're a road warrior looking to shed the weight of a bulky gear bag or if you just like the novelty of an all-in-one projector and appreciate a nearly cable-free design, the SPro is valuable.

With Android and built-in WiFi, you can drive your presentation from Google Slides or Office for Android without requiring a laptop.

We liked

With a mobile-first approach, the sum of the SPro may be greater in value than the projector's individual parts.

As an all-in-one unit, the SPro is highly versatile and allows you to leave behind your laptop, a heavier mobile projector, and cables in favor of a simpler setup for presentations on the go. All you need for your next sales presentation is a 14.1-ounce (400 grams) box.

Because the 100-lumen DLP bulb isn't as bright as bigger units, the SPro won't replace a dedicated projector in a conference room, but if you can control the lighting in your presentation space and dim the ambient light, you have a capable all-in-one projector that allows you to show off your PowerPoints, photos, videos, and even stream Netflix when you have some downtime.

We disliked

If portability isn't high on your list, there are other projectors on the market that deliver either a lower price or better image quality. To achieve the SPro's portability goal, ZTE made tradeoffs in the projector's image resolution and lamp brightness.

The result is that the SPro can project an image that isn't quite as sharp, and one that requires a dimmed room to be viewable, especially if you're projecting an image closer to the 10-foot size rather than the 10-inch output.

Image quality isn't the only thing suffering. When the projector is turned on, the SPro's fan immediately starts whirling, which not only is distracting during a presentation, but can overpower audio output from the projector.

If you're using the projector to play videos or movies, you'll likely need to carry compact speakers to overcome fan noise.

Although the SPro comes with a capacitive touchscreen to navigate the Android OS without requiring the projector to be powered on - unlike the competing AAXA unit - ZTE didn't throw in a carrying case. Given that projectors are sometimes hastily thrown into a bag, the lack of a carrying case could result in a scratched touchscreen.

Final verdict

The SPro is a divisive device. On one hand, you can find better performance for a similar price. On the other hand, you can find a better price for a projector with the SPro's WVGA resolution output and 100-lumen bulb.

However, only the SPro will deliver an all-in-one that serves as an Android handheld when not in use, a power bank to charge your other gadgets, and a cloud-connected projector for impromptu presentations and slideshows.

The value proposition is clear if you're after portability. In this case, the SPro delivers a good balance between portability and functionality.

Given ZTE's early 2015 release of the WiFi-only SPro, you may be better off waiting a little longer until AT&T launches the SPro 2 in the US this year. The carrier has not announced pricing or exact availability for the SPro 2 yet.

The SPro 2 was announced in early January and remedies many of the shortcomings of the first generation model if you're in the market for a projector that's versatile, highly portable, and allows you to travel light.

The successor increases the output resolution to 720p, comes with a DLP bulb that offers twice the brightness at 200 lumens, and comes with a beefier battery at 6,300mAh. Image brightness and resolution will make the SPro2 more competitive against the Vivitek and AAXA models.

The SPro 2 also has a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, though you likely won't be loading any taxing programs on a projector to notice any performance differences.