Orion Z2
| Brand | Orion Mobile Systems |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Orion Mobile Systems |
| Slogan | Evolved to Perform |
| Series | Orion Z |
| Model | Z2-201 |
| Compatible networks | GSM, EDGE, HSPA, LTE (select markets) |
| First released | August 15, 2011 |
| Availability by region | United States, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, Australia |
| Predecessor | Orion Z1 |
| Successor | Orion Z3 |
| Type | Smartphone |
| Form factor | Slate |
| Dimensions | 123.2 x 61.8 x 9.6 mm |
| Mass | 140 g (4.9 oz) |
| Operating system | OrionOS 2.0 (upgradeable to 2.3) |
| System-on-chip | NovaCore Duo (1 GHz dual-core) |
| Memory | 512 MB LPDDR2 |
| Storage | 16 GB or 32 GB flash storage (non-expandable) |
| Battery | 1650 mAh, non-removable Li-Ion |
| Display | 3.8 in (97 mm) WVGA (800×480 px) IPS LCD, 246 ppi |
| Sound | Mono speaker, dual microphones, 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Rear camera | 5 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 720p video recording |
| Front camera | VGA (0.3 MP) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS, microUSB 2.0 |
| Data inputs | Multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity sensor |
The Orion Z2 is a smartphone designed and manufactured by Orion Mobile Systems. It was announced on August 1, 2011, and released in multiple regions on August 15, 2011. As the second entry in the Orion Z series, the Z2 introduced several improvements over the original Orion Z1, including a faster dual-core processor, a new version of OrionOS, and expanded multimedia features.
History[edit | edit source]
Following the moderate success of the Orion Z1 in 2009, Orion Mobile Systems began internal development of a successor in mid-2010 under the codename "Project Apollo." The goal was to address criticisms of the Z1 — particularly its limited performance and lack of app ecosystem — while retaining the brand’s design identity and UI philosophy.
The Z2 was unveiled at the 2011 Orion Fall Keynote and positioned as a “premium-class evolution” of the platform.
Hardware[edit | edit source]
Design[edit | edit source]
The Orion Z2 retained the minimalist slate form factor of its predecessor but introduced a thinner chassis, curved glass edges, and a soft-touch back panel for improved grip. It was released in two finishes: Graphite Gray and Pearl White.
Display[edit | edit source]
The Z2 features a 3.8-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels (WVGA), resulting in a pixel density of 246 ppi. It supported full multi-touch input, and its color reproduction and outdoor visibility were significantly improved over the Z1.
Internals[edit | edit source]
The device was powered by Orion’s custom NovaCore Duo SoC, a 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor. It included 512 MB of RAM and either 16 GB or 32 GB of non-expandable internal storage.
The battery was upgraded to 1650 mAh, allowing up to 6.5 hours of 3G talk time or up to 8 days of standby.
Camera[edit | edit source]
The rear camera was a 5-megapixel sensor with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of recording 720p HD video. A front-facing VGA camera was introduced for video calling — a first for the Orion line.
Software[edit | edit source]
The Z2 shipped with OrionOS 2.0, featuring a redesigned UI, multitasking support, improved gesture controls, and full integration with OrionStore 2.0. The OS also added:
- Voice Notes and Speech Dial
- OrionShare (media and file sharing)
- App permissions manager
- OTA firmware updates
OrionOS 2.3, released in June 2012, added better battery optimization and lock screen widgets.
Reception[edit | edit source]
The Orion Z2 received generally favorable reviews, with critics noting its polished UI, improved app support, and hardware balance. Many saw it as a sign that Orion was becoming a serious competitor in the smartphone market.
TechQuarterly rated the phone 8.2/10, praising its “fluid performance and tasteful design.” NextMobile highlighted its “Apple-like polish without the lock-in,” though it criticized the lack of expandable storage and average low-light camera quality.
Sales[edit | edit source]
The Orion Z2 sold over 6.1 million units worldwide in its first year, nearly tripling the sales of the Z1. It performed particularly well in Japan, Germany, and Canada.
Successor[edit | edit source]
The Orion Z3 was announced in October 2013 and introduced LTE support, a larger HD display, and an updated version of OrionOS 3.0.