ZTE Axon Pro / Axon
ZTE Updates Axon and Axon Pro
ZTE is pushing system updates to its Axon and Axon Pro smartphones. Both phones gain a camera quick-launch button, Google security patches, Qualcomm modem patches, and better support for MetroPCS. The Axon's camera should zoom more effectively, and the Axon Pro's camera will focus faster in low light and deliver better white balance. The Pro also earns T-Mobile WiFi calling. ZTE said the system updates will be delivered over the air.
ZTE Expands Axon Range
ZTE today made more variants of its Axon smartphone available to U.S. buyers. In addition to the Axon Pro 32GB, which launched over the summer, ZTE is offering the Axon and Axon Pro 64GB. The range now includes the Axon, Axon Pro 32GB, and the Axon Pro 64GB. All three are identical in terms of design, size, and core features. The latter two differ only in the amount of internal storage, while the former has more modest specs in order to achieve a lower price point. The most significant differences between the two Axon Pro models and Axon are the display and processor. Where the Axon Pro models have a 5.5-inch quad HD screen, the Axon has a 5.5-inch full HD screen. Similarly, the Axon Pro handsets each have a Snapdragon 810 processor with 4GB of RAM, where the Axon has a Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM. Last, the Axon Pros support CAT 6 LTE and HD voice, but the Axon has CAT 4 LTE and no HD voice. All other specs are the same across the three phones, including the 3,000mAh battery with QuickCharge; 13-megapixel main camera with 2-megapixel secondary camera for depth-of-field data; 8-megapixel front camera; high-fidelity audio capture and playback; and Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system. The Axon Pro 64GB costs $449.98, the Axon Pro 32GB costs $399.98, and the Axon costs $329.98. ZTE is selling the phones directly to consumers, unlocked, via its web site.
ZTE to Let Customers Pay for Phones Over Time
ZTE today announced a lease-to-own purchasing option for U.S. consumers. The program is available for unlocked smartphones, such as the Axon Pro, and other ZTE gear. The lease-to-own option is supported by SmartPay Leasing, which will offer financing terms between 6 and 24 months. At the end of the term, customers who have made all their payments will own the device. ZTE says customers can pay off their phones early, though some fees may apply, or trade their working device in for a new one. Leases can be cancelled at any time, though early termination fees may apply. The lease-to-own option is available upon checkout when purchasing handsets from ZTEUSA.com. ZTE says customers will need to have a debit card to qualify, and pay between 0% and 25% of the phone's cost in the initial payment. The program is not available in New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Wyoming. The offering reflects recent changes across the industry. Most carriers offer monthly financing plans to help defray the cost of handsets. Apple launched its own financing plan with the arrival of the iPhone 6s last month.
Hands On with the ZTE Axon Phone
ZTE debuted the Axon phone today, a flagship smartphone specifically for the U.S. market. It features top-of-the-line specs and a reasonable price point, considering it is sold unlocked for LTE networks. Here are our first impressions of this new handset from ZTE.
ZTE Reveals the Axon Flagship Phone for the US In Full
ZTE today announced the Axon phone, the first in what will be a line of flagship smartphones. ZTE will use the Axon brand in a way similar to how Samsung uses the Galaxy brand for its best phones. The Axon phone, says ZTE, was "Made in the U.S., for the U.S." The phone had a 5.5-inch quad-HD display protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The Axon is powered by an octa-core 2.0 GHz Snapdragon 810 processor, with an Adreno 450 GPU and 4 GB of system memory. It has 32 GB of built-in storage. ZTE gave the phone a 3,000mAh battery with Qualcomm's QuickCharge technology for speedy recharging. The main camera captures 13-megapixel images and is joined by a 2-megapixel secondary camera to aid in focus and capture depth-of-field data. The main lens has an aperture of f/1.8, can shoot with shutter speeds as quick as 1/90,000th of a second, and captures 4K video. The selfie camera boasts 8-megapixels and an 88-degree field of view. Axon says the phone has high-fidelity sound playback and high-quality audio recording thanks to two microphones and software-based noise suppression techniques. It has two, dedicated chipsets (digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters). The phone was designed with what ZTE calls "Urban Prestige," which it claims "grabs your attention without shouting." The company perceives itself as becoming known for high style. It is made from metal and will be sold in blue, gold, or silver. It will be available via ZTEUSA.com, Amazon, eBay, and Newegg starting July 27. The ZTE Axon, sold unlocked, will cost $449.88. Customers who order soon will receive a free pair of headphones (value $50).
ZTE's Axon Phone Swings By the FCC for Approval
Documents spotted on the FCC site reveal more information about ZTE's forthcoming Axon phone. The company has been teasing the device on the web for several weeks and plans to reveal it in full at a July 14 event in New York City. The FCC details the Axon Phone's impressive support for wireless networks, especially AT&T and T-Mobile. For example, it supports LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, and 30 (AT&T's upcoming WCS 2.3GHz coverage). It also includes WCDMA bands 2, 4, and 5, and quad-band GSM. The FCC also reveals the Axon includes excellent support for hearing aids, and NFC. ZTE has already confirmed that the Axon Phone will have a dual-lens camera, 4K video capture, high-fidelity sound playback and audio recording, a fast processor, 4 GB of memory, and a large battery. The phone will be sold in blue, gold, or silver.
Axon Phone Teased for July Release
An unnamed company is preparing to announce the "Axon Phone" July 14. A teaser web site provides some preliminary information about the handset, which runs Android. For example, the Axon Phone has a dual-lens camera that the company says assists with focus and allows owners to refocus images after they're taken. The phone can also record video at up to 4K resolution. Axon claims the phone has high-fidelity sound playback and high-quality audio recording thanks to two microphones and noise suppression techniques. Last, the Axon phone has a fast processor, 4 GB of memory, and a large battery. The phone will be sold in blue, gold, or silver. Axon said more details will be revealed next month; however, PCMag was able to dig up some details that shed new light on the Axon Phone. PCMag claims Axon is a "marketing scheme" cooked up by ZTE. ZTE branding and code is clearly seen in the Axon web site. Further, Axon's headquarters shares the same address with ZTE's U.S. headquarters. ZTE mostly sells low-cost handsets via prepaid carriers in the U.S., but has higher ambitions. The Axon Phone may be an attempt by the company to break into the U.S. market with different branding. ZTE hasn't commented on PCMag's assertions.
