ZTE announces its Designworks-masterminded, monstrously spec'd out AXON 7 flagship phone

posted by Luis D. / May 26, 2016, 8:00 AM

ZTE announces its Designworks-masterminded, monstrously spec'd out AXON 7 flagship phone

Chinese smartphone maker ZTE launched a sleek, U.S.-bound flagship phone – the AXON 7. The latest addition to the series, which features handsets like the AXON Mini (review) and AXON Pro (review) sees ZTE partner up with Designworks to execute an elaborate vision for its look and feel. The design studio, which collaborated with BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce, and other big names from various industries, helped ZTE keep the AXON 7 "pure and simple" – made of aluminum, its body is devoid of sharp edges, thin, and ergonomic.

The phone has its fingerprint sensor positioned on the back because ZTE and Designworks found that users risk dropping their phones when logging in with their thumbs, and added haptic feedback to the recess around the sensor. Moreover, the elegant handset boasts a dual speaker layout that's been accented upon with symmetrical grills on the phone's top and bottom sides. The package is finished off with jewel-like colors – 'Ion Gold' and 'Quartz Gray' – which have been inspired by handmade watches.

ZTE and Designworks worked on a standout look for the AXON 7.

Being ZTE's new flagship device, the AXON 7 is spec'd out beyond compromise. Featuring a 5.5-inch, Quad-HD AMOLED screen, the Android 6.0.1-running device is powered by Qualcomm's premium-tier Snapdragon 820 chip, paired with either 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage, or a whopping 6GB of RAM and 128GB of memory. The smartphone is equipped with an USB 3.0 Type-C port for fast data transfer and convenient plugging in and out. It is also among the first devices to support 'Daydream', Google's mobile virtual reality engine.

Moving to the camera setup, a 20MP main camera with a Samsung ISOCELL sensor and an 8MP front cam will face your photography needs.The rear camera comes with a plethora of extras, including OIS+, EIS+, PDAF, a wide F/1.8 aperture, and a dual-LED flash. It can also record 30FPS videos in up to 4K resolution, along with 720p resolution/240FPS slow motion reels. The house is ran by a 3140mAh battery, and those dual speakers should be put to good use by the dedicated 24-bit/96KHz DAC and stereo amplifier. There's also voice recognition tech by Nuance on-board to round things off.

Looking svelte and spec'd up to the brim, the AXON 7 carries the ambition to become a breakthrough ZTE product for America. Headed to stores with an aggressive sub-$500 price tag, the phone will be sold with a 2-year limited warranty (serviced locally in the U.S., complete with call center support) and Axon Passport Program, a premium protection plan for owners. ZTE says the phone will be available in its ZTE America web store, as well as Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, eBay, and Newegg. At launch, the AXON 7 will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile's networks, while Sprint and Verizon support is possibly coming later in the year.

ZTE AXON 7

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ZTE AXON 7

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51 Comments

1. Achillias

Posts: 52; Member since: Sep 24, 2015

China are taking the smartphone market over.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:03 AM 8

12. Mercedes-Benz

Posts: 403; Member since: Jan 18, 2015

problem with china phones is the software is s**t

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:53 AM 11

15. dimas

Posts: 3240; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

Nova launcher is your friend.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:59 AM 8

24. PenTiltoKet

Posts: 552; Member since: May 18, 2016

Agree with you. I saw a couple of China phone full of bloatware. BUT ZTE Axon is very light weight targeted at American market that hate bloatware.

posted on May 26, 2016, 9:58 AM 1

52. AhmadAlsayegh

Posts: 326; Member since: Jul 18, 2011

that explains your "on contract" phones!

posted on May 29, 2016, 1:18 AM 0

53. PenTiltoKet

No, I'm talking about NO-contract phone. In please where I live ALL buy phone full price with no contract

posted on May 29, 2016, 5:47 AM 0

28. Konsento

Posts: 139; Member since: Apr 10, 2015

CNET says the Axon 7 has the option to switch to stock UI. Nice.http://www.cnet.com/au/products/zte-axon-7/

posted on May 26, 2016, 10:21 AM 7

34. zex999

Posts: 92; Member since: Feb 14, 2016

Yep. They also have bad track record of updates. If ZTE can guarantee updates to 2-3 full versions of Android that would be perfect. The only other issue is the small battery. For me, 3000mah is too small for me by current standards, especially when something like the Ulefone Power can fit a 6050mah battery into a 9.5mm thin phone.

posted on May 26, 2016, 11:01 AM 0

44. Elfmonster unregistered

Hmm my Axon Pro got updated to marshmallow and 6.0.1 faster than Samsung etc updated any of their abandoned product. I can't speak for other zte phones but my axon pro from 2015 beats the crap out of my Samsung Note in camera and headphone audio and updates. My only caveat is Samsung handily has better battery performance.

posted on May 26, 2016, 2:15 PM 0

49. Furbal unregistered

Axon was fairly close to stock. I had no issues with that phone what so ever other than the craptacular battery thanks to the 810 and the mediocre camera

posted on May 26, 2016, 6:28 PM 0

22. zeeBomb

Posts: 2318; Member since: Aug 14, 2014

Why 7 though? Where the heck is Axon 2-6?

posted on May 26, 2016, 9:49 AM 0

2. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

And it will get 6.5 in PA's review...

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:05 AM 17

5. o0Exia0o

Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013

CONS: Its not an iPhone....

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:12 AM 16

20. joeyroc219

Posts: 14; Member since: May 05, 2015

Cons for an iPhone: It's an iPhone!

posted on May 26, 2016, 9:27 AM 1

25. PenTiltoKet

Cons: Size too big... LOL

posted on May 26, 2016, 9:58 AM 2

4. o0Exia0o

Interesting..... I might buy it if it becomes compatible with VZWs network....

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:08 AM 0

6. dimas

Again, another beautiful design and monster spec ruined by puny battery. It may be oled but 3140mah is small for 5.5" flagship these days. Though, good overall design especially the front facing speakers. I am impressed with those grills.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:16 AM 1

9. Captain_Doug

Posts: 1037; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

SD 820 has been doing pretty good for battery life. The last Axon model got average battery life with the SD810 and 3000mah battery. This is a slightly large battery with much better internals. I wouldn't be too worried. A bigger battery would've been nice but 3140mah isn't tiny.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:19 AM 2

14. dimas

Maybe I'm just too spoiled with my s7 edge battery life. But axon 7 looks very good. Gonna buy one if they release an international version.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:59 AM 4

50. Furbal unregistered

I may as well, the axon pro was excellent for listening to music - the 7 should be a damn good phone

posted on May 26, 2016, 6:29 PM 0

7. Captain_Doug

Nice. May just make me breakdown and get a phablet.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:16 AM 0

8. Chuck007

Posts: 1409; Member since: Mar 02, 2014

Funny how they hired Designworks to essentially design an evolutionized HTC One. Still looks nice though.

posted on May 26, 2016, 8:19 AM 1

16. ToastedBacon21

Posts: 47; Member since: Oct 18, 2015

ZTE has been following this design for long. Moreover, saying that one phone looks like another is pretty done with. There are only a few mainstream designs that all others follow.