ZTE Axon Mini Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The ZTE Axon Mini, launched in October 2015, is a smartphone that stands out for its balance between performance, design, and cost-effectiveness. Released in November 2015, the device brought mid-range features along with some high-end specifications, making it quite appealing to a diverse audience. Though now discontinued, the Axon Mini left a mark in the smartphone world with its well-rounded capabilities.

Design and Build

One of the striking features of the ZTE Axon Mini is its design. With dimensions of 143.5 x 70 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 140 grams, it offers a sleek, lightweight form factor that fits comfortably in the hand. The phone's body also boasts a premium feel with a metallic finish available in attractive colors such as Gold, Chromium Silver, and Rose Gold. This attention to aesthetics gives it an edge in design compared to other smartphones in its class.

Display

The ZTE Axon Mini sports a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 424 ppi, providing sharp and vibrant visuals. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 74.2% maximizes the display area, enhancing the viewing experience for users. The display's quality allows for vivid color reproduction and deep contrasts, making it excellent for media consumption and gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the Axon Mini is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 chipset. This octa-core processor consists of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and another four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.2 GHz. Coupled with an Adreno 405 GPU, the device handles day-to-day tasks with relative ease and medium-range gaming without significant lag.

The smartphone offers 3GB of RAM, providing sufficient multitasking capability. With 32GB of internal storage, users can store ample amounts of data, apps, and media. Additionally, the presence of a microSDXC card slot allows for storage expansion, albeit shared with the SIM slot.

Camera

The ZTE Axon Mini is equipped with a 13 MP rear camera, featuring Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) for faster and more accurate focusing. It also includes handy features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR. These features enable users to capture clear and vibrant photos under various lighting conditions. The capability to record video is also present, making it a versatile option for capturing memories.

On the front, the device houses an 8 MP camera, which is adequate for selfies and video calls. The camera setup, while not top-of-the-line, serves well for casual photography needs.

Battery Life

The Axon Mini is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery. While not the largest battery capacity in the market, it offers decent performance for a full day of typical use. ZTE claims standby time of up to 450 hours and talk time of up to 20 hours, though actual performance may vary based on usage patterns.

Software and User Interface

The smartphone originally ships with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, providing users with the interface and features characteristic of this version. While Lollipop lacks some of the more advanced features found in newer versions of Android, it provided a stable and user-friendly experience during its time. The lack of updates beyond Lollipop may be a concern for some users seeking more recent features and security improvements.

Connectivity

The ZTE Axon Mini supports a wide range of connectivity options. It includes support for GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring wide compatibility with network providers. It provides a hybrid dual SIM slot, allowing users the flexibility to use two SIM cards or a combination of a SIM and a microSDXC for additional storage.

Additional connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE, and GPS. However, it lacks NFC and FM Radio functionalities, which might be a limiting factor for users who rely on these features. The presence of a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support allows for data transfer and peripheral connectivity.

Additional Features

The ZTE Axon Mini is equipped with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, providing an additional layer of security and ease of access. Other sensors included are accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, which support various functionalities and apps requiring sensor data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Axon Mini is a feature-packed smartphone that was positioned well within the mid-range market segment upon its release. Offering an elegant design, a vibrant display, and respectable performance, the device provides a quality experience for its users. While it lacks some newer features and can feel dated due to its discontinued status and older software, the Axon Mini remains a capable device for basic to moderate users. Its affordability and performance make it an attractive choice for those unwilling to spend on flagship models yet desiring a decent smartphone experience.