ZTE’s next budget phone might look strangely familiar. Newly leaked renders of the Blade V80 Vita suggest the company has taken some clear inspiration from Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro models.
The render comes from Evan Blass (@evleaks), and the resemblance is hard to miss. The Blade V80 Vita uses a full-width camera island with three cameras and an LED flash pushed to the far-right side, almost exactly where Apple is placing the component on the 17 Pro Max. Since this is already plenty of camera hardware for a budget phone, a circular Neo branding occupies the spot where the LiDAR scanner sits on the latest Pro iPhones.
The frame sticks to a familiar flat-edged look, but ZTE adds its own touches: a red power button, a dedicated custom key on the left, and that very un-Apple 3.5 mm port next to the USB-C slot. It’s a mix of trendy and practical — something you don’t see often, even in the affordable Android space.
Of course, the edges are completely flat — unlike the slightly rounded sides on the iPhones — but that’s possible thanks to the aluminum unibody design of Apple’s flagships.
Specs haven’t surfaced yet, but the Blade line has always aimed at the budget crowd. The Blade V70 Design shipped with modest hardware, so it’s safe to expect the V80 Vita to follow suit: an entry-level chipset, a reasonable battery, and pricing that keeps expectations in check. This isn’t a flagship; it’s a style play.
Still, it’s interesting to see which design cues are trickling down into affordable phones. The iPhone 17 Pro’s wide camera bar is shaping up to be one of the more recognizable silhouettes of 2025, and ZTE seems eager to get ahead of the trend.
If nothing else, the Blade V80 Vita offers premium looks without the premium price — plus a convenience Apple no longer offers.
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(Source: Evan Blass)
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