ZTE Axon 7 Mini Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to ZTE Axon 7 Mini

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini is a smartphone released in 2016 by ZTE, a well-known Chinese telecommunications equipment and systems company. It serves as a compact version of the ZTE Axon 7, designed to cater to users seeking a smaller device without sacrificing essential features. Despite being a smaller version, the Axon 7 Mini retains several high-end specifications that make it a competitive choice in the smartphone market. Below, we'll dive into the detailed specifications and features of the device, covering aspects such as design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and more.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini boasts a premium design with dimensions of 147.5 x 71 x 7.8 mm, offering a comfortable fit in hand, and weighing just 153 grams. Its sleek and stylish construction features a metal unibody design, available in two elegant color options: Ion Gold and Platinum Gray. The use of aluminum gives it a robust feel while maintaining a luxurious look. One of the distinguishing elements of the Axon 7 Mini is its dual-front facing stereo speakers, which enhance the multimedia experience by providing superior audio quality.

Display

The smartphone features a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering sharp and vibrant images with a pixel density of approximately 423 ppi. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, providing resistance against scratches and minor impacts. The screen-to-body ratio of around 71.5% allows for a satisfactory viewing experience, making it ideal for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the internet.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 chipset. The octa-core processor, consisting of 4x1.5GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.2GHz Cortex-A53 cores, ensures balanced performance suitable for everyday tasks. Coupled with the Adreno 405 GPU, the device is capable of handling various applications and games with moderate graphic demands. It is equipped with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDXC card using the shared SIM slot.

Initially launched with Android 6.1 Marshmallow, the Axon 7 Mini is upgradable to Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Coupled with ZTE’s MiFavor 4 user interface, the software experience is enhanced with additional customization options, providing a user-friendly and intuitive operating environment.

Camera Features

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini is equipped with a 16 MP rear camera featuring a f/1.9 aperture and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), which results in crisp and well-focused images. It supports dual-LED flash, panorama, and HDR modes, ensuring high-quality photos in various lighting conditions. For video, the rear camera is capable of recording at 1080p@30fps and 720p@120fps, providing decent quality for casual videography.

On the front, the device holds an 8 MP camera with a f/2.2 aperture, perfect for selfies and video calls. Like the rear camera, the front camera can also capture videos at 1080p@30fps resolution, ensuring good quality for vlogs or social media content.

Battery Life

The smartphone includes a non-removable Li-Ion 2705 mAh battery. While the capacity might not seem substantial by modern standards, it supports Quick Charge 2.0, enabling fast charging speeds that can charge the battery up to 46% within 30 minutes. It provides sufficient talk time of up to 15 hours on a 3G network and a standby time of up to 270 hours, ensuring that users can rely on the phone throughout the day without frequent recharges.

Audio and Connectivity

The standout feature of the Axon 7 Mini is its audio capabilities, featuring dual front-facing stereo speakers that deliver rich and immersive sound. Incorporating Dolby Atmos technology, the phone ensures enhanced audio quality for music, movies, and gaming experiences. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing convenience for users who prefer wired audio devices.

In terms of connectivity, the Axon 7 Mini supports a range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE, providing extensive coverage and fast internet speeds. Additional connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and NFC. For data transfer and charging, the device uses a USB Type-C 2.0 port, reflecting modern connectivity standards at the time of its release.

Additional Features

Beyond the core specifications, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini incorporates several additional features to enhance the user experience. The device includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience, allowing users to unlock the phone swiftly. Other sensors on board include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, providing necessary functionality for various applications and user interactions.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon its release, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini was positioned as an affordable yet feature-rich option within the mid-range smartphone segment. Priced at approximately 220 EUR, it offered strong competition to other devices in the same category by combining premium build quality, audio excellence, and balanced performance without breaking the bank.

While the device has now been discontinued, it still holds a place in the market for users who appreciate compact smartphones with robust features, making it a valued choice for budget-conscious consumers even in the secondary market.

Conclusion

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini captures the essence of premium mid-range smartphones from its era, balancing design, performance, and functionality efficiently. While newer models may surpass its specs, the Axon 7 Mini remains a testament to ZTE’s commitment to delivering quality consumer tech at affordable prices. Whether considered for everyday use or as a secondary device, it continues to serve users with its solid capabilities and stylish design.