ZTE sent over a ZTE Axon Mini Premium for us to take a look at last week, take a look at our hands on and unboxing video here.
The ZTE Axon Mini Premium is one of those odd smartphone designs that you absolutely love and positively hate. Had this phone been designed and manufactured from some unknown phone maker (Uhans for example) then nobody would have taken notice and it would have gotten a lot of flack, but because the mighty ZTE is behind it and loaded it up with some really interesting features then we have taken notice.
ZTE Axon Mini Premium First Impressions
First of all I am not keen on the design. I don’t like the fake leather and faux stitching and I am not keen on the odd design around the camera and flash area. It’s obvious that ZTE really have tried to make a phone that oozes quality, but for me they shouldn’t have bothered. On the other hand my wife loves the look and design (she even likes the terrible icons in the custom Android ROM!).
So while I might not have been won over with the looks of the phone I do like the compact design, I love this thin narrow body, the 5.2-inch display is wonderful and the tech behind this phone is really interesting.
Up front the ZTE Axon Mini sports a 5.2-inch FHD AMOLED panel, it’s as vibrant and lovely as other AMOLED displays and at 5.2-inches it is (in my opinion) the perfect size for a smartphone.
It’s not just how good the screen looks but also the hidden tech behind it. You see the ZTE Axon Mini Premium has Force Touch. Basically this means the screen is pressure sensitive and you can activate functions by simply pressing more firmly on the display. There are a few features enabled as standard but the best I have found is the option for a hard press on an app icon to show the available shortcuts (check out the video below for a demo).
Gizchina News of the week
Above and below the display are front facing speakers. Awesome! Front facing speakers are why I’ve personally ordered the new Lenovo flagship, and front speakers on the Axon Mini give amazing audio for watching video or playing games. Please more phone makers do this!
ZTE have also packed the phone with security features. There is a rear fingerprint scanner that requires just 6 touches to set up, and then there is the ‘Sky Eye’ feature that uses a scan of your eye for app locking. At this time I’ve not had the chance to play around with this. Finally there are pattern and pin options for locking your phone and a voice print, again I’ve not tried this.
The rear of the phone is where we find the 13 mega-pixel PDAF rear camera and dual LED flash above the single touch fingerprint scanner. I’ve not had much chance to try the camera yet, but so far it seems about average, I was expecting better really but we will see the final results in the finished review.
As already mentioned the ZTE Axon Mini Premium has a very customised ROM with added features, its own UI, custom settings and a voice assistant. The ZTE voice assistant is interesting as it does not require an internet connection for certain features, and it accurately understands you out of the box. Again more time with the phone will tell just how useful the feature is.
Other interesting spec details of the ZTE Axon Mini Premium include an octacore Snapdragon 616 chipset running at 1.5Ghz, 3GB RAM, 32GB memory, 8 mega-pixel front camera and a 2800mAh battery.
ZTE Axon Mini Premium First Impressions – Conclusion
So far I am super intrigued with the ZTE Axon Mini. I’m excited by the cool unique tech packed in to the slim body, I wonder how well optimised the battery and performance will be, and most of all I want to figure out who exactly ZTE are aiming this phone at. The design says the style conscious, but the cool tech says otherwise. Its an odd mix so how will it all turnout? Find out in our ZTE Axon Mini review coming soon.
Those top and bottom parts on the back: what were they thinking? Totally messes up that clean look of rest of the backside. Such a pity.
I agree it appeal to more woman size but as a man like me, I’m very much prefer the ZTE Nubia Z9 series look.
ughh, I mean side not size.
Ugly… Sorry, better try next time ZTE!
Is this different from Gizshop Axon Z9 mini? How much is this (International)? Thanks
Those top and bottom parts on the back: what were they thinking? Totally messes up that clean look of rest of the backside. Such a pity.
I agree it appeal to more woman size but as a man like me, I’m very much prefer the ZTE Nubia Z9 series look.
ughh, I mean side not size.
Uh, it seems the designers hadn’t heard about trypophobia.
Ugly… Sorry, better try next time ZTE!
Is this different from Gizshop Axon Z9 mini? How much is this (International)? Thanks
Its a pretty dope phone and I love the originality of the design.
How much is it though?
I was looking for this device to be my LG G2 successor too (year 2015 and still searching maybe I have to look for 2016 devices),
I’m glad that Andi now working on the review.
This phone also has dual sim support but I think it is hybrid sim slot for one sim with micro sd or two sim without micro sd card.
I read from other review (Thai review) that dual LED flash is not two tone, really don’t know why they did this or maybe can Andi look into this?
and It cost 12,900 in THB or roughly as 359 USD.
You should also look into ZTE Blade S7 too for 5.0″ LCD screen, dual sim (not sure it is hybrid for second sim slot as micro sd slot or not), 32GB rom 3GB ram, Snapdragon 61X (not sure), 13 mp front with PDAF 13 mp rear with laser auto focus, fingerprint scan on the front instead of rear mount like ZTE Axon.
Trust me, the SD800 in your G2 is faster than SD615/616, especially in gaming.
The Xiaomi Mi4c is the only viable option in thi price range as it has a more powerful SD808 and it’s around 100$ chepaer than the ZTE.
I know that SD800 is faster than SD615/616
After using G2 for 2 years, I consider I’m done with mobile gaming.
I still curious how SD616 perform in daily tasks. Is it still lag and overheat even in normal usage? (no gaming)
No, but it`s not faster than the SD800 or 801.
Basically any MT6753 phone is blazing fast in daily tasks, but somehow I`ve never seen an SD615/616 phone perform as well.
My suggestion is get the Mi4c, or the Meizu M2 Note if you are looking for a major brand.
LG currently have so many phones, but nothing to cover the real mid-range, as they have left that to the G2 and G3, which are not bad, but in G3 the SD801 struggles with the 2K display.
Probably the best option is to get the Nexus 6P, or 5X at this point, although I read that they are not exactly blazing through everyday tasks, but will get faster and faster with a few more updates for sure.
i’m having a hard time justifying replacing my LG G2 as well. damn thing just still does a great job on everything I need it to do! I’m hoping something pops in 2016 that is compelling enough, and not too spendy, to justify an upgrade
me too. I bought LG G2 at 19,990 THB (about 553 USD). Although it serve me well, I come up that I’ll never buy the phone as expensive as this again.
Really like the look of that S7 and is good value – but only available colour is horrible – lime green – what were they thinking!
Uh, it seems the designers hadn’t heard about trypophobia.
Its a pretty dope phone and I love the originality of the design.
How much is it though?
I was looking for this device to be my LG G2 successor too (year 2015 and still searching maybe I have to look for 2016 devices),
I’m glad that Andi now working on the review.
This phone also has dual sim support but I think it is hybrid sim slot for one sim with micro sd or two sim without micro sd card.
I read from other review (Thai review) that dual LED flash is not two tone, really don’t know why they did this or maybe can Andi look into this?
and It cost 12,900 in THB or roughly as 359 USD.
You should also look into ZTE Blade S7 too for 5.0″ LCD screen, dual sim (not sure it is hybrid for second sim slot as micro sd slot or not), 32GB rom 3GB ram, Snapdragon 61X (not sure), 13 mp front with PDAF 13 mp rear with laser auto focus, fingerprint scan on the front instead of rear mount like ZTE Axon.
Trust me, the SD800 in your G2 is faster than SD615/616, especially in gaming.
The Xiaomi Mi4c is the only viable option in thi price range as it has a more powerful SD808 and it’s around 100$ chepaer than the ZTE.
I know that SD800 is faster than SD615/616
After using G2 for 2 years, I consider I’m done with mobile gaming.
I still curious how SD616 perform in daily tasks. Is it still lag and overheat even in normal usage? (no gaming)
i’m having a hard time justifying replacing my LG G2 as well. damn thing just still does a great job on everything I need it to do! I’m hoping something pops in 2016 that is compelling enough, and not too spendy, to justify an upgrade
No, but it`s not faster than the SD800 or 801.
Basically any MT6753 phone is blazing fast in daily tasks, but somehow I`ve never seen an SD615/616 phone perform as well.
My suggestion is get the Mi4c, or the Meizu M2 Note if you are looking for a major brand.
LG currently have so many phones, but nothing to cover the real mid-range, as they have left that to the G2 and G3, which are not bad, but in G3 the SD801 struggles with the 2K display.
Probably the best option is to get the Nexus 6P, or 5X at this point, although I read that they are not exactly blazing through everyday tasks, but will get faster and faster with a few more updates for sure.
me too. I bought LG G2 at 19,990 THB (about 553 USD). Although it serve me well, I come up that I’ll never buy the phone as expensive as this again.
Really like the look of that S7 and is good value – but only available colour is horrible – lime green – what were they thinking!
SD616 is premium these days? gtfo!
Rear design of Axon Mini is fine, better than Axon, back – standard, but overall I like my Uhans U100.
SD616 is premium these days? gtfo!
Hey @Andi, do you know if there is any difference between the ZTE Axon mini and the ZTE Axon mini Premium Edition? Here in Germany are several sellers on ebay who sell the ZTE Axon mini for 289 €, but there seems no forcetouch in the description. Is this the difference? Can`t find anything on the internet so I have to ask an expert!!
http://www.ebay.de/itm/like/5-2-Zoll-ZTE-Axon-Mini-32GB-3GB-4G-LTE-Smartphone-Handy-Ohne-Vertrag-Android-FHD/252167019799?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&_trksid=p5197.c100068.m2280&_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211130857%26meid%3D0c1299316f2b4fd19054c9e1be3cc201%26pid%3D100068%26clkid%3D1742226765071983482&_qi=RTM2245469
It seems that forcetouch only comes with the premium version.
Hey @Andi, do you know if there is any difference between the ZTE Axon mini and the ZTE Axon mini Premium Edition? Here in Germany are several sellers on ebay who sell the ZTE Axon mini for 289 €, but there seems no forcetouch in the description. Is this the difference? Can`t find anything on the internet so I have to ask an expert!!
http://www.ebay.de/itm/like/5-2-Zoll-ZTE-Axon-Mini-32GB-3GB-4G-LTE-Smartphone-Handy-Ohne-Vertrag-Android-FHD/252167019799?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&_trksid=p5197.c100068.m2280&_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211130857%26meid%3D0c1299316f2b4fd19054c9e1be3cc201%26pid%3D100068%26clkid%3D1742226765071983482&_qi=RTM2245469
It seems that forcetouch only comes with the premium version.
He has the NFC?
He has the NFC?
Fake leather threads are so tacky! And those icons…gaudy as hell. Who is their target audience — geeks from the 1990s?
Fake leather threads are so tacky! And those icons…gaudy as hell. Who is their target audience — geeks from the 1990s?
Hey Andi thinking of replacing my old reliable Honor 6 with this from Santa this year 🙂
Can you tell if the front camera is AF or not? some spec sheets on shops say yes, some no……the selfie cam is a must for my replacement phone (2 little munchkins and it seems only way to get a family photo is selfie cam :))
Hey Andi thinking of replacing my old reliable Honor 6 with this from Santa this year 🙂
Can you tell if the front camera is AF or not? some spec sheets on shops say yes, some no……the selfie cam is a must for my replacement phone (2 little munchkins and it seems only way to get a family photo is selfie cam :))
Hi Andi, had brought this phone from China, 1 month back its launched, but its comes with local ROM, since will be using it in India, can you help me in getting ROM on which all google services including play store works fine, as ROM in you unboxing device seems perfect, kindly help…..requesting others if they can help.
will you be able to help me in solving the problem….does anyone has clue either
Hi Andi, had brought this phone from China, 1 month back its launched, but its comes with local ROM, since will be using it in India, can you help me in getting ROM on which all google services including play store works fine, as ROM in you unboxing device seems perfect, kindly help…..requesting others if they can help.
will you be able to help me in solving the problem….does anyone has clue either