The ZTE Axon 7 Is the Best Android Phone $400 Can Buy
The ZTE Axon 7 is the tech giant's most upmarket smartphone to launch on the U.S. market to date. The newcomer aims to become the ultimate value proposition in today's busy smartphone market by delivering looks by BMW's Designworks, and hardware features worthy of a much larger price tag.
Unlocked Android smartphones that offer top-tier features at an affordable price have become increasingly popular recently, thanks to a host of releases by the likes of ZTE, Huawei, and Alcatel, among others. ZTE's latest creation replaces the Axon Pro on top of its smartphone lineup in the United States.
A Few Nerdy Bits
The Axon 7 boasts a massive spec sheet for a smartphone that costs $400. Below are the most important bits you need to know.
The handset packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset.
Memory options include 64GB of expandable storage (via microSD card) and 4GB of RAM
The screen is a 5.5-inch AMOLED unit with QHD (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) resolution, covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
The main camera has a 20MP Samsung-made sensor, f/1.8 lens, dual-LED flash, and optical image stabilization. It is capable of capturing 4K video.
The selfie camera is an 8MP unit.
There is a fingerprint sensor on the back of the device.
The phone has two dedicated audio chips, stereo speakers, and support for Dolby Audio.
ZTE Axon 7 has a rich set of connectivity options, including USB Type-C, Bluetooth 4.2, LTE, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. Dual-SIM functionality is also available.
The phone has a 3,250 mAh battery that supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.
The Axon 7 runs Android Marshmallow.
The device is 7.9 millimeters thick and weighs 175 grams.
In the Metal
Designed by the BMW-owned Designworks studio, the ZTE Axon 7 looks nicely restrained, yet unmistakably premium in person. Gold and dark gray are the two colors that the smartphone will be available in — both very sleek options.
Build quality is also top-notch. ZTE has used metal and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 in the making of the device, so it looks and feels as sturdy as it gets.
Most importantly, ZTE backs the device with an industry-leading two-year warranty. The coverage plan includes free advanced exchanges, unlimited repairs, and upgrade assistance.
Because of the ultra thin bezels surrounding its display, the Axon 7 handles like a phone with a smaller display. All its buttons and the fingerprint sensor are conveniently placed and easy to access even when holding the handset with one hand.
The 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display of the smartphone is excellent. The screen is as sharp as the industry's best, and boasts stellar brightness and viewing angles.
As expected from an AMOLED display, the contrast is also exceptional. ZTE has also added a handy menu in the settings that allows users to tweak the screen's saturation levels.
Performance and Battery Life
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset is among the fastest on the market, so the Axon 7 feels ultra-responsive at all times. Having multiple apps open doesn't slow the device either. The fingerprint sensor is just as snappy — it unlocks the handset instantly.
The audio performance of the ZTE Axon 7 is nothing short of spectacular. In addition to a pair of excellent front-facing stereo speakers, the handset has two dedicated audio chips, which allow it to play and record HiFi content, as well as power high-end third-party headphones.
Battery life was a major weakness in the device's predecessor, but it is excellent in the new Axon 7. The handset easily makes it through a full day of heavy usage, so its performance is in line with the best out there.
Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 functionality is a sweet addition to the device's feature set. It allows the handset to charge its battery to 50% after about 30 minutes on the charger.
User Interface
The Axon 7 runs Android Marshmallow. The OS has been customized by ZTE, so it offers a host of functions that stock Android does not. Those include gesture controls, themes, and transition effects, among others.
Despite the bevy of added features, ZTE has kept the interface uncluttered. Two preloaded homescreen launchers allow users to choose between having an app drawer or not.
Camera
The 20MP main camera of the Axon 7 is brimming with features. Users can take photos in full auto or manual mode, capture "live" images, and tweak the camera's exposure modes.The camera UI is intuitively laid out. All major settings are available via a single tap on the screen.
Thanks to a combination of a capable sensor and fast lens, the Axon 7 is capable to capture still images with solid quality, especially in good light. Low-light performance leaves a bit to be desired, as we saw more noise than we would have liked creeping into the photos.
The videos captured by the smartphone have good quality as well, especially in 4K. Slow-motion footage is also available.
Wrap Up
Priced at $400 unlocked and contract-free, the ZTE Axon 7 is hands-down the best Android smartphone that in its price range. It offers a blend of design, build quality, performance, and warranty that none of its competitors come close to, so it is the easiest phone to recommend to anyone looking within this price range.
To strengthen its value appeal, ZTE offers the Axon 7 with a bundled protective case, stereo headset, and screen protector in its retail package. In short, the manufacturer has users covered with all the essentials right out of the box.
The much-hyped OnePlus 3 is the most notable rival of the Axon 7, as it costs the same as ZTE's offering. However, it features an inferior screen and warranty, lack of expandable memory, and considerably more generic design. OnePlus has a questionable track record with firmware updates, too.
The Axon 7 is equipped to compete with considerably more expensive Android smartphones such as the LG G5 and the HTC 10. Only the lack of waterproofing and wireless charging prevent the newcomer from stacking up against the excellent Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.
Photos by Stefan Vazharov
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