ZTE seeks sales action with AXON 7 and 7 Mini in Australia (UPDATE)

UPDATE: In relation to DayDream VR compatibility, which requires an Android Nougat 7.x update, iTWIre has received the following update: "The Australian AXON 7 Nougat update will be announced once it is in our local testing phase. Due to the unique emergency calling requirements and additional testing in Australia, it will take longer than other markets, but it will be available in Australia."

Original story continues below:

ZTE is well known for supplying smartphones to 230 operators around the world, with Telstra and Optus the local carriers carrying ZTE-made models.

However, ZTE models have usually been entry-level to mid-range models, rather than high-end models to compete with top-tier brands like Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, Google and others.

Just as has been the case with other OEM ‘original equipment manufacturers’ around the world, OEMs don’t just want to keep making stuff for other people, but want to be known for their own brand and capabilities, too.

{loadposition alex08}

So it should come as no surprise to see ZTE taking the same path with its new AXON 7 and 7 Mini smartphone models, aiming to compete with higher-end models on the market but at more mid-range pricing, and packing some interesting features to take them beyond the cheaper, lower mid-range models out there.

This is evident from the comments by ZTE Australia MD, Daniel Zhao, who states: “The AXON smartphone line is the first in Australia to incorporate Dolby Atmos and we are thrilled to introduce it to Australians. The sound produced by these smartphones is truly remarkable and unmatched by any other smartphone brand”.

ZTE also boasts that audio features aren’t the only premium features available, with the AXON 7 billed as ‘the first handset announced that can support Google's Daydream VR solution that is integrated into Android N.’

I’ve asked ZTE’s PR people to explain this given that the specs below show the AXON 7 comes with Android 6.0.1, and Android N means ’Nougat’, which means Android 7.

I have also read online that Daydream required at least a Qualcomm SnapDragon 821 processor for the best performance, rather than the 820, which was a purported explanation for why the Google Nexus 6P was unable to officially support DayDream, even though articles online show how unofficial DayDream support could be activated on the 6P, something I’ve never tried.

So, at the very minimum, whatever the truth of the SnapDragon 820 processor for DayDream, you will need Android Nougat 7.x for DayDream support, so once ZTE’s people get back to me with an update on this situation, the promise of DayDream support may only be a promise for the time being.

Note: Android Central explains that the ZTE Axon 7 will support DayDream once its gets the Android Nougat 7 update, and that while the Axon 7 ‘runs the slightly older and slower Snapdragon 820, that should be plenty of power for most VR experiences.’

That said, the other ‘premium’ features are ZTE patterning with Dreamworks, which is billed as a BMW Subsidiary (and not the movie animation company), to ‘design the all-metal unibody using precision engineering.’

We are told that ‘the seamless curve of the Corning Gorilla Glass 5.5-inch (AXON 7) and 5.2-inch (AXON 7 Mini) touchscreens meshes beautifully with the phone body for a smooth and natural look and feel.’

In addition, there is ‘an advanced fingerprint scanner is conveniently located on the back of the device for fast and easy unlocking.’ Professional Quality Audio ZTE boasts that its ‘AXON 7 and AXON 7 Mini are making waves in the audio industry with their unparalleled Hi-Fi audio capabilities.’

We are told that ‘the AXON 7 is equipped with two dedicated AK4961 and AK4490 audio chips, while its smaller version, the AXON 7 Mini, has a single dedicated AK4962 chip. Both phones have front- facing dual stereo speakers for incredibly clear and powerful sound that is on par with professional- grade audio equipment. The smartphones even boast Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound for a complete theatre-like experience in the palm of your hand.’

Given that a true cinema-like experience would mean a massive zillion-inch screen in front of you and a bazillion speakers surrounding you from every angle, as you’ll find in modern cinemas, the claim of ‘cinema-like’ is, like, not as likely as you’d want, but presumably the sound will be loud enough that you’ll like it.

Pricing and Availability in Australia

The AXON 7 comes in two colours, Ion Gold and Quartz Grey, and is available at RRP $699 exclusively at JB Hi-Fi stores. The AXON 7 Mini comes in two colours, Ion Gold and Platinum Grey, and is available at RRP $498 exclusively at JB Hi-Fi stores. More information is at JB Hi-Fi here.

The ZTE Mobile Devices website is here, while the ZTE Australia site is here. Here are the specifications for both models below this image:

AXON 7 specs listed first, AXON 7 Mini below these specs.

Not network locked

• 4G LTE: TDD-LTE: 2500 MHz(Band 38), 2300 MHz(Band 40), 2400 MHz(Band 41).
• FDD-LTE: 2100 MHz(Band 1), 1900 MHz(Band 2), 1800 MHz(Band 3), 1700 MHz(Band 4), 850 MHz(Band 5), 2600 MHz(Band 7), 900 MHz(Band 8), 850MHz(Band 19), 700 MHz(Band 28)
• Cat 6 (300Mbps downlink, 50Mbps uplink)
• 3G UMTS: 2100 MHz(Band 1), 1900 MHz(Band 2), 1700 MHz(Band 4), 850 MHz(Band 5), 900 MHz(Band 8) 42.2Mbps DL / 11.5Mbps UL (HSPA+)
• GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

SIM CARD:

• Combo Dual SIM (Dual Standyby) or SIM + microSD tray slot, 4FF Nano SIM format for SIMs,
• microSD card is fitted on the same tray replacing the second SIM

PROCESSOR:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Quad core 2.15GHz 64bit processor with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
  Integrated Qualcomm ADRENO(TM) 530 GPU

OS:

Android Marshmallow 6.0.1

DIMENSIONS:

151.7 x 75 x 7.9mm

DISPLAY:

• 5.5-inch, 2560 x 1440, WQHD AMOLED
• 16M colour display with Gorilla Glass 4 and capacitive touch

CAMERAS:

• 20-megapixel rear camera - ISO-Cell Sensor, Sapphire lens, OIS, EIS, F/1.8 Aperture, PDAF, Closed loop VCM for better Auto focus, digital zoom & dual LED flash
• Super Auto Mode (Night shot, Auto HDR, Automatic Scene Optimisation) Hybrid IS (Photo & Video)
• Multi-function (Manual, Beauty, Refocus, Slow Motion, Live Photo, Multi-exposure, Long Exposure)
• 8-megapixel Front facing camera with F/2.2 and up to 1080P recording

BATTERY:

• 3250mAh Li-ion
• Quick Charge 3.0: 5min = 8% charge / 10min = 17% charge / 30min = 50% / 100min = 100% charge

MEMORY:

64GB Flash with 49.2GB user space, plus up to 128GB microSD external storage using UFS

INTERFACES:

• 3.5mm headphone jack
• USB Type-C
• Dual SIM 4FF

AUDIO:

• 3.5mm Headphone Jack High Fidelity Sound Performance - Chipset - AKM4961 & AKM4490
• Dual Speaker Support
• M_Base Support Material

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

• Dolby Atmos
• Surround Sound
• Fingerprint 3.0 recognition
• NFC
• Dual Band (2.4/5GHz) Wi-Fi, 2x2 MU- MIMO, 802.11b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
• Bluetooth 4.2 LE
• A-GPS, Stand-alone GPS with GLONASS/ BDS (region dependent)
• USB OTG
• Miracast Wi-Fi Display

AXON 7 Mini specs: 

Not network locked

• 4G LTE: TDD-LTE: 2500 MHz(Band 38), 2300 MHz(Band 40), 2400 MHz(Band 41).
• FDD-LTE: 2100 MHz(Band 1), 1900 MHz(Band 2), 1800 MHz(Band 3), 1700 MHz(Band 4), 850 MHz(Band 5), 2600 MHz(Band 7), 900 MHz(Band 8), 850MHz(Band 19), 700 MHz(Band 28)
• Cat 6 (300Mbps downlink, 50Mbps uplink)
• 3G UMTS: 2100 MHz(Band 1), 1900 MHz(Band 2), 1700 MHz(Band 4), 850 MHz(Band 5), 900 MHz(Band 8) 42.2Mbps DL / 11.5Mbps UL (HSPA+)
• GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

SIM CARD:

• Combo Dual SIM (Dual Standyby) or SIM + microSD tray slot, 4FF Nano SIM format for SIMs,
• microSD card is fitted on the same tray replacing the second SIM

PROCESSOR:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 826170 Octa core 1.5GHz 64bit CPU (MSM8952 - 4 x 1.5 GHz & 4 x 1.2 GHz) with 3GB LPDDR4 RAM,
• Integrated Qualcomm ADRENO(TM) 405 GPU

OS:

Android Marshmallow 6.0.1

DIMENSIONS:

147.5 x 71 x 7.8mm

DISPLAY:

• 5.2-inch, AMOLED FHD (1080p)
• 16M colour display with Gorilla Glass 4 and capacitive touch

CAMERAS:

• 16-megapixel rear camera - ISO-Cell Sensor, Sapphire lens, EIS, F/1.9 Aperture, PDAF, Digital Zoom
• Super Auto Mode (Night shot, Auto HDR, Automatic Scene Optimisation) Hybrid IS (Photo & Video)
• Multi-function (Manual, Beauty, Refocus, Slow Motion, Live Photo, Multi-exposure, Long Exposure)
• 8-megapixel Front facing camera with F/2.2 and up to 1080P recording

BATTERY:

• 2705mAh Li-ion
• Quick Charge 2.0: 5min = 8% charge / 10min = 16% charge / 30min = 46% / 90min = 100% charge

MEMORY:

32GB Flash with 20GB user space, plus up to 128GB microSD external storage using UFS

INTERFACES:

• 3.5mm headphone jack
• USB Type-C
• Dual SIM 4FF

AUDIO:

• 3.5mm Headphone Jack High Fidelity Sound Performance - Chipset - AKM4962
• Dual Speaker Support
• M_Base Support Material

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

• Dolby Atmos
• Surround Sound
• Fingerprint 3.0 recognition
• NFC 
• Dual Band (2.4/5GHz) Wi-Fi, 2x2 MU- MIMO, 802.11b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
• Bluetooth 4.1 LE
• A-GPS, Stand-alone GPS with GLONASS/ BDS (region dependent)
• USB OTG
• Miracast Wi-Fi Display