In the competitive world of budget smartphones, Acer has made a strong entry with its Liquid Zest Plus. Offering a large screen, a powerful battery, and decent performance, this device promises a lot for its price range.
But does it really deliver? In this Acer Liquid Zest Plus review, we’ll take a detailed look at its design, performance, camera, battery life, and overall value for money.
Design: Simple and Comfortable
The Acer Liquid Zest Plus follows a minimalistic design, typical of budget smartphones, with a plastic back and a slightly curved frame for easier grip. It is available in a range of colors, offering some visual appeal.
The 5.5-inch screen feels quite large compared to other devices in this price range, but the bezels are slightly thick. Despite this, the device fits comfortably in the hand and feels solid.
Key Design Features:
- Display: 5.5-inch HD IPS display
- Material: Plastic back with curved edges
- Weight: 155g, making it relatively light for its size
- Build Quality: Durable but not premium
- Colors: Available in multiple colors
Though not groundbreaking, the Liquid Zest Plus offers a clean and functional design that will appeal to users who prioritize comfort over flashy aesthetics. Its size is on the larger side, so it might feel a bit bulky for users accustomed to smaller phones.
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Display: Big Screen, Good Value
For a budget device, the 5.5-inch HD IPS display is surprisingly good. It offers vibrant colors and decent brightness, making it suitable for everyday use, such as web browsing, watching videos, and gaming. However, don’t expect the sharpness or clarity of higher-end models, as the 1280 x 720 resolution results in a slightly grainy experience when compared to Full HD screens.
Display Performance:
- Size: 5.5 inches, large enough for comfortable media consumption
- Resolution: 1280 x 720p, HD quality
- Brightness: Bright enough for indoor and outdoor use
- Color Accuracy: Good for a budget phone, with vibrant colors and decent contrast
Performance: Solid for the Price
Powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and paired with 2GB of RAM, the Liquid Zest Plus delivers a relatively smooth experience for everyday tasks like social media browsing, checking emails, and light gaming.
You won’t be running heavy apps or multitasking seamlessly, but for a phone in this price range, it holds up well.
The MediaTek processor isn’t the fastest around, but it does a decent job for the average user. It can handle simple apps and games without significant lag, although it does struggle a bit with demanding tasks like HD video editing or intensive gaming.
Performance Overview:
| Feature | Acer Liquid Zest Plus |
| Processor | 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB (expandable via microSD) |
| OS | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
The phone’s 2GB RAM is decent for basic tasks, though heavier apps may cause occasional lag. The 16GB storage is on the lower side but can be expanded via a microSD card, which adds significant flexibility for users who need extra space for apps, media, and files.
Camera: Decent for Basic Shots
One of the standout features of the Acer Liquid Zest Plus is its 13MP rear camera, which offers decent quality for a budget smartphone.
While it doesn’t match the performance of higher-end devices, the camera provides clear and vibrant images in good lighting conditions. The auto-focus works well, and HDR mode helps in improving images in tricky lighting situations.
The 5MP front camera is acceptable for selfies, with decent quality, though it lacks the high-end features and detail found in pricier models.
Camera Breakdown:
- Rear Camera: 13MP with auto-focus and HDR support
- Front Camera: 5MP for decent selfies
- Camera Features: HDR, panorama, and video recording at 1080p
- Image Quality: Good for daylight shots, but struggles in low light
In terms of camera performance, the Liquid Zest Plus provides solid results for the price. For casual users who want a reliable camera for social media, it will do the job. However, for photography enthusiasts, this phone may not deliver the high-end features needed for professional shots.
Battery Life: All-Day Performance
One of the key selling points of the Acer Liquid Zest Plus is its 5000mAh battery. For a budget phone, this is a major standout feature, especially considering the large display and power-efficient components.
The phone easily lasts a full day with moderate use, even when watching videos, browsing the web, and using social media apps.
On lighter use, it can stretch into a day and a half. Acer has done a great job optimizing the phone’s battery to ensure it holds up during prolonged use. It’s also worth noting that the phone supports Fast Charging, which helps minimize downtime.
Battery Performance:
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Screen-on Time: 8-10 hours on average with moderate usage
- Charging: Fast Charging available, but not as quick as high-end models
- Battery Life: Excellent for daily use, with great longevity
Software: A Bit Behind the Times
The Acer Liquid Zest Plus runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is a bit outdated in 2025.
While it is upgradable to newer versions, the device ships with an older version of Android, which means it lacks some of the latest features and security patches available in newer Android releases. However, for users who primarily want a phone for basic tasks, this may not be a major issue.
Acer also includes some useful pre-installed apps, but the experience is fairly standard for a budget phone.
Verdict: Affordable, but Not Perfect
The Acer Liquid Zest Plus is a solid budget smartphone that offers a decent array of features without breaking the bank.
Its 13MP camera, 5000mAh battery, and large 5.5-inch display are standout features for the price, and the overall design is comfortable and easy to use.
However, the processor and software might not be up to the standards of more expensive smartphones, and performance can lag when handling more demanding apps.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life with 5000mAh
- 13MP rear camera offers decent quality for everyday photography
- Large 5.5-inch display is perfect for watching videos and browsing
- Expandable storage with microSD card
Cons:
- Outdated Android 6.0 may feel a bit old
- 2GB RAM might not be enough for heavy multitasking
- Performance can lag with demanding tasks
- Camera struggles in low light
Conclusion
If you’re on a tight budget and need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and media consumption, the Acer Liquid Zest Plus is a solid option. While it may not compete with flagship smartphones, it offers great value for its price. With a large screen, long-lasting battery, and decent camera, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for an affordable yet functional device.
People May Ask
1. Is the Acer Liquid Zest Plus a good budget phone?
Yes, the Acer Liquid Zest Plus is a good budget phone with strong features like a large battery, a decent camera, and a 5.5-inch HD display. It’s suitable for users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks.
2. Does the Acer Liquid Zest Plus have a good camera?
The 13MP rear camera provides good quality photos in daylight, but struggles in low light. It’s a solid option for casual photography but not ideal for professional-level shots.
3. Can I expand the storage on the Acer Liquid Zest Plus?
Yes, the Liquid Zest Plus supports microSD cards, so you can expand the storage if you need more space for apps, media, or files.
4. How long does the battery last on the Acer Liquid Zest Plus?
With its 5000mAh battery, the Acer Liquid Zest Plus offers excellent battery life, lasting a full day on moderate use and potentially even longer with lighter usage.
5. Is the Acer Liquid Zest Plus worth the price?
At its price point, the Liquid Zest Plus offers excellent value for money, with solid features like a large display, long battery life, and a good camera. However, its older software and limited RAM might not meet the needs of heavy users.
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