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ZTE Axon Pro review

7.5/10 AVG.
RATING
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ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE Axon Pro
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7.5/10
Informr score
The ZTE Axon Pro currently has an Informr score of 7.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 6 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Beautiful display
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Fast performance
  • Premium build

What's bad

  • Uninspiring camera quality
  • No microSD slot
  • Plastic ends don't match color of metal frame

ZTE has put out several entry level handsets without making any huge splashes, but they hope their first "flagship" phone – the Axon Pro – will attract more attention. Experts believe it will do just that thanks to its competitive prices, powerful specs and a premium design.

Unlike many other mid-tier phones, the Axon Pro flaunts and all aluminum frame and comes in three different colors: blue, gold and silver. While the metal gives the phone a higher class look, it also made it much more slippery for reviewers to hold on to. While much of the phone is metal, ZTE still used plastic on the rear top and bottom case. Unfortunately, experts immediately noticed the change of material, especially since the pieces didn't color match with the trim. At 6 x 2.9 x 0.37 it veers on the larger side and is also a bit heavier than its competitors at 6.1 ounces. Despite this, experts found the Axon Pro comfortable to hold and use one-handed even with the 5.5-inch display.

Speaking of displays, the Axon Pro offers quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels). It isn't just sharp, though. Reviewers also praise it for being colorful and accurate albeit slightly over saturated. With that said, they truly enjoyed viewing it with Android Headlines stating, "The display is so good, that I can hardly put the phone down." In addition, experts had no issue viewing the phone in different lighting situations from low to bright, though they add the adaptive brightness did make the screen too dark indoors. It is also the first phone to employ Corning's antimicrobial Gorilla Glass. While they didn't test out the antimicrobial claim, experts did like that it was much easier to wipe away smudges and fingerprints.

ZTE didn't skimp out when it came to internal hardware as evidenced by the 2GHz octo-core processor and 4GB of RAM. Experts were able to zip through the navigation and easily multi-task without any hiccups or crashes even when using more processor heavy tasks like video editing or 3D gaming. The 3000mAh battery keeps the phone humming along and lasted critics a full day without recharge. Thanks to quick charging, they were able to get the batteries to 50% in just 30 minutes. The one area they weren't too happy with was the limited internal storage option of 32GB without microSD support.

Perhaps the feature that least impressed experts was the camera. It actually has two cameras on the rear: a 2MP shooter to capture exposure and depth and a 13MP one to actually take the pictures. When combined together reviewers were able to churn out some decently exposed shots that were good enough for Facebook and Instagram. When they looked closer they noticed some distortion. This became even more evident when they took low light images and they describe the overall low-light quality as "muddy" and "drab".

But it isn't the camera or specs that are the selling point of the Axon Pro. It's the audio. Together with JBL and Dolby, ZTE brought HiFi audio to the device. Unfortunately, it only works through the headphone jack, but even the audio quality from the front speaker managed to impress reviewers with its clear notes and full bass.

Despite the excellent offerings of the Axon Pro, reviewers ultimately had a hard time recommending it. Toms Guide states, "Those who want an awesome multimedia experience will really like the Axon Pro's unbeatable display-and-audio combo, but there are better options for your money." CNET adds, "…the ZTE Axon Pro is an excellent device…unfortunately, ZTE isn't alone in offering consumers a premium unlocked device for competitive prices."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2 GHz
5.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.5"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
3000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Mobile Syrup
Mobile Syrup

The Axon Pro is not the best smartphone on the market, but at $650 it is a competent device for the price. More importantly, it shows that ZTE and its ilk can create a device that competes with the names of Samsung and LG, making it increasingly difficult for them to differentiate. The Axon Pro may...

- Daniel Bader, Mobile Syrup
The Verge
The Verge

I just can’t tell who it’s for. It’s loaded with high-end specs that would appeal to enthusiasts, but it’s not as aggressively priced nor as nicely designed as the OnePlus 2, which has similar hardware. It doesn’t have the cool customizability or great software features...

- Dan Seifert, The Verge
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

An unlocked, premium Android smartphone with good looks and killer specs.

- Eric M. Zeman, Phone Scoop
PC Magazine
PC Magazine

The Axon Pro gets four stars. It's a quality smartphone. But we're withholding the Editors' Choice here until we've seen how these three phones—and anything else similar that's coming out very soon—compare with each other in the real world.

- Sascha Segan, PC Magazine
Engadget
Engadget

I've got to hand it to ZTE: The Axon is the sort of powerful, budget-friendly phone I never thought the company would, or could, make. It's got gobs of power. It's mostly well-built. The camera isn't half-bad. And that tantalizing $450 price tag currently represents the floor -- the least amount of...

- Chris Velazco, Engadget


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the ZTE Axon Pro user manual here.


ZTE backs up the Axon Pro with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.


If your Axon Pro has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact ZTE support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find ZTE's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.5"

The ZTE Axon Pro's screen size is 5.5 inches with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

Processor
2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa core 2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 5.1 Lollipop (Update Available: 6.0 Marshmallow) operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32 GB

Internal memory is 32 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
3000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3000 mAh battery. ZTE's performance ratings are 1283 minutes, 399 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Axon Pro Specs

Overview
Release Date July 30, 2015
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System Android 5.1 Lollipop (Update Available: 6.0 Marshmallow)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa core 2 GHz
Internal Storage 32 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.14 W/kg
Body: 1.19 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 2 Years
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi Yes
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Self-timer, Dual camera feature (2 MP 2nd camera)
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density 534 pixels
Size 5.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 447 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 399 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1283 minutes
Standby Time Up to 10 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Phthalo Blue, Ion Gold, Chromium Silver
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.4 x 7.4 x 0.9 cm (6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in)
Weight 173 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
ZTE Axon Pro Reviews
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