ZTE Axon 7

[akimoriRyuuji]

I was planning on buying the OnePlus 3 but now I'm more interested in this. Except I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait :/

 

[autumn]

I really don't like how little communication from ZTE about models and availability.
I want to know whether US model will have the capacitive buttons and the exact LTE bands.

OP did a great job pushing out OP3 today. Unfortunately the LTE bands lacks 29,30 for AT&T and no support Verizon and Sprint. Most reviews are pretty positive. Not bad for $399!

My 6s+ is really under appreciated now. I almost forgot what a performer it is.

I don't have any experience with ZTE. Anyone can share their experience?

 

[MRU]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't like the grills on the device ? I think they spoil an otherwise nice design.

 

[jamezr]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't like the grills on the device ? I think they spoil an otherwise nice design.

I would prefer the same front speaker look as the 6P to be honest.

 

[AppleRobert]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't like the grills on the device ? I think they spoil an otherwise nice design.

I really don't care for the grills on the Axon Pro I got and it is a bit hefty but it was a good price and I like pretty much everything else so I kept it.

And excellent audio btw.

 

[jamezr]

The Axon 7 is available for pre order listed on Newegg, B&H, Best Buy and E-bay. Should start shipping by month end.
Starting price is $399

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor Quad-Core

• 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM or 128GB

• 20MP AF dual LED Flash + 8MP front camera

• 5.5” AMOLED 2560 x 1440 WQHD display, Gorilla Glass Gen 4

• 3250 mAh battery, Quick Charge 3.0 , USB Type-C

• Fingerprint scanner (multi-mode)

• 32-bit High Resolution Audio, 4K video capture

• Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradeable

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/zte-axo...ed)-gold/5462201.p?id=bb5462201&skuId=5462201

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1257205-REG/zte_a7g333_axon_7_64gb_smartphone.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875705054&cm_re=axon_7-_-75-705-054-_-Product

 

[AppleRobert]

BB has been putting a lot of smartphones on display lately, especially unlocked androids. Hopefully I will get to see this one. I have the Axon Pro and I like it but the darn thing is HUGE.

 

[kasakka]

The big problem with this phone, apart from availability as it's not even announced for Europe yet, is that it might have bad developer support as according to XDA, ZTE doesn't have a great track record with releasing sources etc. I don't know about you, but at this point it's CyanogenMod or bust for me. CM just allows me to fix most of the annoyances I have with stock Android and doesn't try to be all fancy about it so that's why it works best for me.

Otherwise I really dig the phone. It's got killer specs (I'd be fine with the 4GB version though), fingerprint reader in the back (where it should be on phones this size) and physically it's slightly smaller than the Oneplus One I use right now.

 

[samcraig]

Camera is important to me - which is why I've stuck with Samsung (Note 5 now). Although the Axon 7 has definitely piqued my interest...

Here's a video comparing photos and video. I would say the OnePlus 3 looks better in much of the video - but the color reproduction of the Axon in good light seems to win. I don't think this video is the best showcase.. but an interesting view.

 

[mi7chy]

It's a good trend that a lot of phones in the $350 to $400 range now have AMOLED. The top three contenders seem to be:

ZTE Axon 7
Oneplus 3
Alcatel Idol 4s

 

[AppleRobert]

It's a good trend that a lot of phones in the $350 to $400 range now have AMOLED. The top three contenders seem to be:

ZTE Axon 7
Oneplus 3
Alcatel Idol 4s

Could not resist $200 for the OP X at BB and it has an amoled display unlike my OP 1. I am pretty sure it is top notch from what I have read in the past.

 

[Savor]

Comparable specs and price OnePlus 3 makes this ZTE look like an interesting option considering I can't get the Xiaomi Mi 5 which has much better battery SOT than the OP3.

 

[cuzo]

Just ordered a nexus 5x for 260 with case and screen protector from bh photo.

Wondering if I should cancel my pre-order and get this.

I wanna know what you guys think? I'm on a cheap prepaid plan don't need a fancy phone.

 

[spinedoc77]

This looks like an awesome phone!!
Flagship specs for under $500

The ZTE Axon 7 is a high-end Android 6.0 phone with a 5.5-inch 2560×1440 AMOLED display.
There are front-facing speakers at the top and bottom of that screen, as well as an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. ‘Round back there’s a 20-megapixel camera with an f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and optical image stabilization, as well as a fingerprint reader.

Inside of the Axon 7’s 7.9mm-thick body lives a Snapdragon 820 processor, 3250mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 support, USB Type-C, and NFC. One model of the Axon 7 will include 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the second version will bump things up to 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a Force Touch display, too. However, both phones include microSD slots for adding more storage.

Man that would have been a SICK phone if the screen went all the way to the metallic top/bottom portions, instead of having more black bezel shoved in there. Very nice phone though, and for under $500 a huge bargain. That's twice today that ZTE has made me question why the hell I pay $900 for a phone.

 

[samcraig]

Great deal for those that want to bite

$400 for the phone = and you get free bluetooth headphones and $75 gift card

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...free-samsung-level-u-headphones-75-gift-card/

 

[co.ag.2005]

Great deal for those that want to bite

$400 for the phone = and you get free bluetooth headphones and $75 gift card

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...free-samsung-level-u-headphones-75-gift-card/

They changed it to a $25 gift card, fyi. Still not a bad deal!

INCLUDES FREE
TOTAL VALUE: $59.95

• Samsung Level U Wireless Headphones (Black Sapphire)
• B&H Photo Video $25 Gift Card

 

[mclld]

Just ordered a nexus 5x for 260 with case and screen protector from bh photo.

Wondering if I should cancel my pre-order and get this.

I wanna know what you guys think? I'm on a cheap prepaid plan don't need a fancy phone.

bestbuy has the 6p for 318 today
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huawei-Refu...:DG4AAOSwayZXjdbk&afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true

 

[samcraig]

They changed it to a $25 gift card, fyi. Still not a bad deal!

INCLUDES FREE
TOTAL VALUE: $59.95

• Samsung Level U Wireless Headphones (Black Sapphire)
• B&H Photo Video $25 Gift Card

Indeed. The Level U headset is pretty nice - I bought it to use with my Gear VR...

 

[Cole Slaw]

Looks very interesting but I wouldn't buy unless/until I knew more about how good ZTE is with updates.

 

[AppleRobert]

Looks very interesting but I wouldn't buy unless/until I knew more about how good ZTE is with updates.

The only updates I would be concerned about is for software bugs and performance issues. The latest version of Android I do not even have on lots of my smartphones.

The other ZTE one coming out is $99 and most smartphones offer less at a higher cost. I have the Axon Pro already so I may even skip that one.

 

[jamezr]

The only updates I would be concerned about is for software bugs and performance issues. The latest version of Android I do not even have on lots of my smartphones.

The other ZTE one coming out is $99 and most smartphones offer less at a higher cost. I have the Axon Pro already so I may even skip that one.

How do you like the android skin ZTE uses? Has your phone been getting the monthly security updates?

 

[mclld]

 

[AppleRobert]

How do you like the android skin ZTE uses? Has your phone been getting the monthly security updates?

I slapped Nova on it right away so never really got a chance to utilize the Pro with the stock skin.

As far as updates, I got 6.0 and messed around for awhile and put it in the drawer with other smartphones I had. I never checked for updates thereafter, I liked the Pro enough to keep it regardless instead of returning it. Its audio quality is great.

It is a huge smartphone, that is a drawback for those with size concerns.

 

[spinedoc77]

Man, this is a tremendous phone for the price. I'm curious to see some hardcore camera reviews/comparisons as that's usually one of the main factors in deciding to overspend on Samsung or Apple. I would have preferred a thinner phone, with less bezel and a better screen to phone ratio, but once again it's half the price of other flagships.

 

[mclld]

http://www.pcmag.com/review/346194/zte-axon-7

• PROS
  Relatively affordable. Sleek metal design. Crisp Quad HD display. Booming speakers. Expandable storage. Fingerprint sensor, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi. Google Daydream-ready.
  
  
  
• CONS
  Heavy custom UI layer. Low-light camera performance isn't the best.
  
  
  
• BOTTOM LINE
  The ZTE Axon is a $400 unlocked Android phone that looks and performs like phones that cost nearly twice as much.

Conclusions
The ZTE Axon 7 is a lot of phone for a lot less money than the competition. For $400 you get a premium metal design, a top-of-the-line processor, a Quad HD display, and support for all the major US carriers. There is no other phone on the market that brings together this array of features at this price. The OnePlus 3, for instance, has a lower resolution 1080p display, while the Idol 4S has a slower processor. The Moto G4 Plus also has a slower processor, not to mention a plastic build. If you're looking for something more affordable, the Blu Life One X$149.99 at Amazon gets you a good mix of features at a much lower price point. But if you want flagship-level features and performance in an unlocked phone at a midrange price, the Axon 7 is the one to get, and an Editors' Choice.
[doublepost=1469553224][/doublepost]I can't believe people get paid to write half ass reviews like that, it is basically regurgitating press releases and specs