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ZTE AXON 7 Review - Flagship Wannabe?

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips539.2K viewsAug 18, 201610:53
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The ZTE Axon 7 review begins by recalling the launch experience and initial hands-on impressions from the Axon 7, highlighting strong hardware enthusiasm and standout specifications for the price. The host notes early positives such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, and an Adreno 530 GPU, paired with a sizable 3250 mAh battery and quick charge 3.0. He also critiques the camera, which at the time was considered behind top tier flagships, and points out issues with distortion at high volumes from early engineering samples. Over time, the software has received tweaks and the hardware refinements continued, shifting the host’s opinion toward a more favorable view. The Axon 7 is described as a premium-feeling aluminum device with features like dual band AC wireless, NFC, and a fingerprint reader that is fast and accurate, albeit mounted on the rear. The review acknowledges the strong front-facing stereo speakers and a notable capacitive button design that improves daily use by reducing accidental presses in landscape mode, while also mentioning the camera’s limitations in moving subjects and certain lighting conditions. The overall assessment balances the excellent build and features against the compromises in water resistance, camera performance in dynamic scenarios, and some software quirks, culminating in a nuanced verdict rather than a slam dunk for flagship status, especially when comparing it to contemporaries like OnePlus 3.

Topics · technology · smartphones · consumer electronics · reviews

Questions answered

What were the Axon 7's strongest selling points when it launched?
Strong selling points included the flagship-class hardware for the price, good battery life, quick charge 3.0, capacitive navigation buttons, loud front-facing speakers, and a premium aluminum chassis with NFC and dual-band AC wireless.
What were the main drawbacks identified in the review?
Primary drawbacks were camera performance in moving subjects, some software quirks and UI limitations, no water resistance, and a camera experience that lagged behind top rivals in auto mode under certain conditions.
How did the reviewer compare the Axon 7 to its competition?
The reviewer positioned it as a high-value option that competes with flagships like Samsung and Samsung-era rivals on price and hardware, but faced tough choices against alternatives such as the OnePlus 3 due to factors like camera quality, software polish, and additional features.