ZTE didn’t take us by surprise this year at IFA. But that’s alright – not everything is about shock value. Instead of coming up with quirky accessories, they took the safe route. Axon 7 Mini was unveiled here, a smaller version of their flagship phone targeted towards those who hate phablets but love music #mobilemagic
The Axon 7 Mini picks up the great design its predecessor has. We loved the beautiful curved 5.2-inch screen with metal unibody and an all around premium feel, in part due to Designworks, a BMW subsidiary’s vision. The dual front-facing stereo speakers are set on a textured background, unlike the smooth back, which makes all the difference for detail-oriented people like me.
Under the silver or gold hood, you’ll discover a slower processor than the one Axon 7 has, just a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 617 instead of the 820, 3GB RAM instead of 4GB, and 32GB internal storage with expendable MicroSD card slot. ZTE reduced battery time a lot, too, taking it down from 3250 mAh to 2705mAh battery. You’ll also have to say bye-bye to the 20MP rear camera, since the Mini version sports just 16MP (it keeps the 8MP selfie cam, though).
All of the above are pretty significant compromises that you’d be doing for a 70 dollar drop in price. We understood that the phone’s launching price will be 299 euros in Europe, that’s about $333 in US. However, there’s one thing ZTE is counting on to make you their fan: great music. The Axon 7 Mini has a dedicated audio processor from AKM, Dolby Atmos® technology and dual stereo speakers so you don’t have to bring the radio to picnics or put a boombox on your terrace when friends come over.
Bottom line: great value for price and definitely a winner if you’re into smaller devices, no matter the compromise you make. Definitely great if you’re hooked on music.
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