In the Android world, smartphones are generally refreshed and replaced on a one-year schedule. ZTE, however, has been mostly quiet about what would replace the hit Axon 7, and now, we’re finally getting some information on that.
Flagship Android smartphones typically ship with a 2-year promise for major updates, but for mid-range devices, it generally ends up being a shorter guarantee, especially for bigger updates. However, despite being over a year and a half old and no longer in production, ZTE is still working to prepare an Oreo update for the Axon 7.
Typically when a device reaches its end-of-life point, we either already have a successor announced, or even already have it on the market. However, well over a year after its initial debut, the ZTE Axon 7 has been out of stock for months with nothing in the pipeline (that we know of), and now the company has seemingly confirmed it’s no longer making the phone.
One of 2016’s best Android smartphones was the ZTE Axon 7. Packing flagship specs into a very affordable price tag, the phone offered up an excellent overall experience. Now, ZTE is further enhancing the software for Axon 7 owners, adding on a couple of features which users will be sure to appreciate.
Following its upgrade from Marshmallow to Nougat last month, ZTE is today making a slightly newer version of Android available to Axon 7 owners ─ 7.1.1. While it’s no major update, 7.1.1 brings along some welcome changes for the device, as well as bringing updated security patch levels to the phone.
ZTE’s Axon 7 was one of the most popular “affordable flagships” of 2016, and for good reason. Packing top of the line specs, premium hardware, and useful features into a price tag under $400 was nothing short of impressive. However, ZTE has been just a little slow in updating the device. Now, the company has finally released Android Nougat for the Axon 7.
At CES 2017, ZTE provided updates on when Android 7.0 Nougat would arrive for the well regarded Axon 7 and more details about their bid to crowdsource a smartphone. The company also launched the affordable dual-camera Blade V8 Pro in the US market.
ZTE’s Axon 7 is one of those Android smartphones that proves without a doubt that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a fantastic device. Priced at $399, the Axon 7 brings top-tier specs, a great build, and an excellent overall experience. Now, ZTE is launching a limited edition variant of the Axon 7 that makes the phone even better…
ZTE’s Axon 7 has become a hit that no one really expected, even though we probably should have. With flagship specs, a premium all-metal design, and a price tag under $400, the Axon 7 is a great device. One thing not everyone is a fan of though is its software.
Since there is a variant of the Axon 7 on the market with an unlocked bootloader, ROM development has been pretty strong for the phone. However, things are about to be pushed forward even further with ZTE revealing that it’s working on an official CyanogenMod ROM for the device along with the Cyanogen team themselves…