ZTE Axon 7 Mini, review with price, features and opinions

ZTE Axon 7 Mini, we have tested it

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini is the little brother of the ZTE Axon 7, the current flagship smartphone of the Chinese company ZTE. The mini version is an excellent model to enjoy much of the benefits of the high-end range , but at a much more moderate price: 300 euros in the Spanish market.

The evolution of the ZTE Axon Mini stands out, like the Axon 7, for its impressive sound system. The phone is equipped with a dual Dual Hifi stereo speaker on the front, and features Dolby Atmos 360 surround sound technology.

zte axon 7 mini front

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini features dual Dual Hifi stereo speakers

The most interesting thing about audio is, therefore, the surround sound feature and the possibility of improving the sound for both music and video playback through the Atmos equalizer built into the phone's player.

If we talk about aesthetics, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini has nothing to envy the company's flagship smartphone either, since we find a 5.2-inch screen without side edges , a metallic design in silver, and a fingerprint sensor. fingerprints on the back.

The phone has  3GB of RAM , an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, and  32GB of internal storage . Also, like the Axon 7, this terminal is DualSIM.

Offers and where to buy


Buy ZTE Axon 7 Mini at Phone House - 253 euros

Buy Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 on Amazon - 280 euros

Buy Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 in Media Markt - 281 euros

Buy Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 in ZTE Store 300 euros

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini also stands out for an excellent camera with many capture modes , in addition to a manual mode that allows you to customize all the details of the photograph: white balance, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, etc.

Next we do an in-depth analysis of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini smartphone, dwelling on all its characteristics and technical specifications.

Analysis of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini in video

Attractive metallic design


Silver metallic design, fingerprint reader on the back, rounded edges, certified dual speaker with Dolby Atmos surround sound

Following the trend of other models of the company, the Chinese manufacturer  ZTE maintains a metallic design for the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini . For the Spanish market it has been put on sale in a silver color, which reflects light without being too bright.

zte axon 7 mini in metallic silver

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini has gone on sale in Spain in silver

As an advantage of the design of the case, it is necessary to mention the resistance of the surface, since it does not stain easily or be marked with fingerprints.

At the top of the terminal we find the 5.2-inch screen, with hardly any side edges . Following the style of the ZTE Axon 7, above and below the screen are two large stereo speakers, in a Dual Hifi system that guarantees surround sound. The phone has Dolby Atmos 360 technology  to achieve that effect.

zte axon 7 mini speakers

Detailed view of the speaker on the bottom of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

Also on that upper edge we find the lens of the secondary camera (for selfies), which is 8 megapixels, and does not have a flash.

The back of the phone is also quite sober in design: we find the main camera lens (16 megapixels) , and just below it is the dual dual-tone LED flash.

Just below is the phone's fingerprint sensor , which adds extra security for blocking the terminal and applications.

In addition, it is worth noting that in this model we can use the fingerprint sensor to activate the shutter release when we are using the camera, so it is not necessary to touch the screen or a volume key to capture an image instantly.

Finally, at the bottom, the logos of ZTE and the Dolby Atmos sound system appear.

zte axon 7 mini logos

ZTE and Dolby Atmos logo detail on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini case

As for the sides, the right has been used for the volume controls and the on / off button. On the left side is the card tray, which can be removed using a small pointed wrench: it is inserted into the hole and, by pressing, the end of the tray can be easily grasped.

It is worth making a parenthesis at this point to mention the capacity of this tray. The ZTE Axon 7 Mini  phone  is DualSIM , but it only has two slots. This means that we can use two Nano-SIM cards at the same time, or a NanoSIM and an external memory microSD card, but not both at the same time. The microSD card would use the second SIM slot.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini photo gallery

The miniJack port (3.5 mm) for the headphones is located on the upper edge of the phone, while at the bottom we see the USB type C port to connect the charger or a connection cable for the computer or other devices.

Finally, we have to comment on certain characteristics of weight and size. The  ZTE Axon 7 Mini weighs 153 grams and measures 147.55 millimeters long x 71 millimeters wide x 7.8 millimeters thick .

Despite the rather elongated structure, it is not difficult to grip the phone with one hand. On an aesthetic level, the style is very elegant thanks to the rounded edges, no corners, and the minimum thickness (less than 8 millimeters).

zte axon 7 mini side

The right side of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

At the moment, in Spain only the model in silver is available.

Full HD screen without side borders


5.2-inch panel with Full HD resolution, good level of brightness and color reproduction, Gorilla Glass 4 protection

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini has a 5.2-inch screen, hardly any side edges, and Full HD resolution  (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels) . We find here one of the main differences with respect to the ZTE Axon 7, which being the company's flagship terminal has a 2K resolution screen.

zte axon 7 mini screen

ZTE Axon 7 Mini screen view

The density on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini is around 423 pixels per inch , a pretty good ratio for a phone in its range. In addition, aesthetically the effect is very elegant, because the screen has been placed in a space that leaves almost no side margins , following the trend of borderless panels that has become standard in the market.

In the menu Settings>  Smartphone screen we can access the different options available for the screen. Some are common to all Android phones, and other features are typical of ZTE's customization interface.

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini  allows you to configure the following display settings:

  • Font (typography) for the text displayed on the screen: there are five different options.
  • Font size : small, normal, large or huge.
  • Suspend screen : this function saves energy, since the panel on is one of the most resource-consuming elements on a smartphone. We can suspend it after 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 30 minutes, or ask that the screen never go to sleep.
  • Brightness level : it is adjusted along a horizontal bar that represents the intensity, and you can also activate or deactivate the automatic brightness option (which adapts to the lighting conditions of each moment).
  • Auto - rotate screen "" on or off "" battery percentage visible on the top bar "" hidden or visible "and" notification light (which can be turned on or off, and set up with different colors for different applications) .
  • Pedometer : with this function activated, the user will be able to know in real time the number of steps they are taking and that is registered on the phone. The pedometer is displayed on the locked screen and wearing the terminal cover.
  • Screen effect : in this section you can configure the saturation parameters (natural, colorful or intense) and color temperature (normal, warm or cool).
  • Wireless display : from this section we can connect wireless monitors to the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini .

Since the smartphone does not have capacitive buttons , the only possible navigation buttons will be the Android buttons that appear on the screen, at the bottom, when it is turned on.

The display of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini offers very sharp and quite bright colors, and responds well to different ambient lighting conditions thanks to the brightness sensor and automatic adjustment.

In addition, thanks to the settings available in the aforementioned section Settings> Screen> Screen effect, we can enjoy a good use of the screen even in environments with direct sunlight, since the color saturation setting also influences its visibility. when there is a lot of outside lighting.

To prevent damage to the screen, the panel is protected with  Corning Gorilla Glass 4 .

Power and performance of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini


Octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, modest power test results

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini smartphone is equipped with an  eight-core Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 processor . Of these, four are Cortex A-53 running at 1.5 GHz, and the other four are Cortex-A53 running at 1.2 GHz.

The graphics processor is the Adreno 405, and the phone's RAM is 3 GB.

Considering the other features and benefits of the phone, the processor is a good choice, and the 3 GB of RAM guarantees good fluidity .

zte axon 7 mini power

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini with an eight-core processor and 3 GB of RAM

It should be noted, however, that using many resources causes a well-known effect, and that is the excessive heating of the terminal. In the case of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini, having an exterior design focused almost entirely on metal, it is easy for this overheating to occur .

To avoid these problems and guarantee smooth performance (in addition to ensuring good battery life), it is advisable to check the Settings> Phone battery manager section from time to time.

In this panel, as we will explain later, we can analyze the power consumption of the smartphone, allow the phone to automatically configure the CPU frequency, activate the power saving mode and manage the battery consumption of the different applications, among others possibilities.

If we consider the power and performance tests of Geekbench 4 and AnTuTu Benchmark, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini does not come out as well as other models of the Chinese manufacturer. In the case of AnTuTu, we find the model in position 51 of the ranking, with a score of 47187. Geekbench 4 offers a score of 698 for Single-Core and 2213 for Multi-Core.

Operating system and user interface


Android 6 Marshmallow, light and fast interface

The  ZTE Axon 7 Mini comes from the factory with  Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow , along with ZTE's own customization layer  ,  MiFavor UI 4.0 .

Although ZTE has promised to update some of its flagship terminals to Android 7 Nougat , at the moment it does not seem that the Axon 7 Mini is included in this list, according to the data we have so far.

The company has confirmed that the ZTE Axon 7, the ZTE Blade V7 and the ZTE Max Pro will receive the update. In addition, the new ZTE Axon Max will already bring  Android 7 Nougat as standard , without the need for subsequent updates.

Returning to the ZTE interface, one of the advantages of MiFavor is the ease with which we can customize the wallpapers and icons, in a fairly intuitive way, just by holding down a few moments on any point on the home screen.

However, for those who are used to maintaining a certain order in the applications, ZTE's own interface has an important drawback: there is no button to access the "application drawer" with the complete list.

zte axon 7 mini interface

Own screenshots of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini interface

This means that, if we want to have all the apps organized and easily accessible, we will have to spend some time creating folders and sections on the home screen, where we will put all the applications so that we do not have to search through other means to access them.

For the rest, ZTE's customization layer is quite light and introduces few new features and additions to what Android 6 already offers  on its own. It does incorporate, for example, an energy manager, but much simpler than that of other manufacturers.

Huawei and other Chinese manufacturers usually incorporate a complete phone manager in their terminals that allows you to manage the available space, clear the cache and eliminate junk files, in addition to managing battery use.

If ZTE releases updates (both operating system and security patches), we can install them through the Settings> Updates menu . In this section we can check the current version of software that we have installed, and check if there is an update available.

In the event that there is a new version to download, that information will appear on the screen and we can proceed to download it to install it. Keep in mind that this process can be quite long (make sure you have enough battery before you start) and that it is convenient to connect to a WiFi network so as not to consume a large amount of data from our mobile Internet plan.

Storage capacity and card slot


32 GB of internal memory, two slots to use two SIM cards or to combine a SIM with a microSD card

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini phone is  DualSIM , keeping the feature that the brand has offered in other recent models. DualSIM functions can be used with two NanoSIM cards connected at the same time, but this is a problem if we want to expand the storage capacity of the terminal.

The smartphone has a storage capacity of 32 GB . It is a not inconsiderable space, which allows us to install a large number of applications and store many photographs and videos.

However, if we want to expand this capacity through a microSD card (for example, to have a greater number of music or photo files available) we will have to give up the DualSIM functions.

This is a drawback that the ZTE Axon 7 Mini shares with many other mid-range and even high-end terminals. And the key is in the tray that we find in the card slot.

Video analysis of the ZTE Axon 7

The tray has two available spaces: space 1 is for the first NanoSIM, our main card; and space 2 can be used for a second NanoSIM  or for an  external storage microSD card .

In the case of these smartphones, which have two slots instead of three, we are forced to choose between having DualSIM functions or expanding the storage space . In this second case, we could use a single SIM card and insert an external microSD memory card, which in the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini can be up to 128 GB.

In any case, as already mentioned, 32 GB is a good figure to enjoy the internal storage without problems, as long as we clean it periodically and store important photos and files in backup copies on the computer to gradually free up space. little bit.

We can also deal with possible space problems using file storage applications in the cloud, such as  Google Drive or  Dropbox , among others.

zte axon 7 mini camera

Detail of the main camera of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

ZTE Axon 7 Mini cameras


Main camera with 16 megapixels, aperture of f / 1.9, a multitude of settings to take advantage of the camera, very complete professional mode, 8 megapixel selfie camera

ZTE Axon 7 Mini is equipped with a main chamber 16 megapixels , with f / 1.9, dual LED flash dual tone and autofocus detection phase. You can record video in HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p) quality.

For its part, the front camera (for selfies) is 8 megapixels , without flash with aperture f / 2.2, and can record video as well as Full HD .

The smartphone camera application offers numerous options and capture modes, among which a comprehensive manual photography mode stands out.

In addition, as usual in new smartphones, in the camera application we can activate the geotagging of the photos, activate a timer and assign a function to the volume button, such as the activation of the shutter.

zte axon 7 mini auto mode

Example of a photo taken with the automatic mode of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

Here we review all the functions and capture modes available on the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini .

Photo mode (automatic)

The automatic mode of the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini analyzes the ambient lighting conditions and instantly adjusts values ​​such as ISO, white balance or focus , although we can also press the screen on a specific point that we want to focus on.

With this active mode, we can select whether to activate or deactivate the HDR function  , but it can also be left on automatic so that it is the phone itself that detects if it is necessary. The HDR function  allows you to compensate for large differences in lighting between some areas of the image and others , which would create a photo with excessively light areas and others with excessively dark shadows.

zte axon 7 mini hdr photo

Photo taken with HDR mode on

The flash can also be turned on, off, or left on automatic. The timer can be disabled or set to 1 second, 3 seconds, 10 seconds, or 20 seconds.

Manual mode (professional)

The manual mode of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini is almost identical to that found in the ZTE Axon 7, and it is one of the most complete in the mobile market. In this section we can configure all the parameters to our liking to obtain the perfect photograph in each circumstance:

zte axon 7 mini photo manual

Capture of manual mode in the camera of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

  • Shutter speed : in automatic value or in a large number of speeds, from 1/69000 seconds to 7 seconds.
  • ISO : can be set from 100 to 1600, with many values ​​in between, or in automatic mode.
  • Exposure : with values ​​from -2 to 2 and intermediate values.
  • White balance : from 2200K to 8000K, or in automatic mode. In addition, at different points on the scale we can see icons equivalent to the type of ambient lighting to make it easier to decide the appropriate option: the sun, the light bulb, the cloud to indicate overcast skies ...
  • Interval shooting: it is a perfect way to control the capture of images if we want to generate movement, for example, with a timelapse file. We can set intervals from 1 to 60 seconds.
  • The  focus can also be left in automatic mode or set manually, depending on the distance at which the elements that we are going to photograph are located, as well as the type of objects or details that we want to capture.
zte axon 7 mini photography manual

Close-up of LEGO figures taken indoors

One of the most interesting details of the manual mode on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini is the possibility of fixing a focus and keeping it selected (locked) while we adjust the rest of the parameters . We can achieve this by pressing a simple padlock icon that is displayed on the screen.

We also have a reference line on the screen that shows the orientation of the phone in space : if it is completely horizontal it means that it is parallel to the ground.

Finally, to make taking pictures even easier, the phone allows you to activate the shutter by simply resting your finger on the smartphone's fingerprint sensor.

We could, for example, set the necessary parameters, “lock” the focus, and use the sensor to avoid having to rest the finger on the screen . This would avoid last minute changes and errors when we already have everything configured.

This option is also very useful when we are going to take selfies with the front camera, since it is much easier to take the capture without changing the grip of the phone to press the screen or the volume button.

Video mode

zte axon 7 mini camera pictures

As we have already mentioned, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  can record video in  Full HD (1080p at 30 fps) or  HD (720p at 120 fps) quality .

During recording, we can activate the camera flash to function as a flashlight and illuminate the scene while recording. In addition, we can select between different levels of lighting, depending on the darkness of the scene.

Live mode

Live mode allows you to capture very short micro-video with both the main and secondary cameras. It is, without a doubt, the most interesting option to share later on social networks such as Instagram.

Filters

Whether we have activated a photography mode or if we are going to record video, we can apply one of these filters directly to the image: spine, sepia, mono, cold, cartoon, cozy, fisheye or mirror.

zte axon 7 mini camera filters

Capture with the camera filters of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

zte axon 7 mini white black

Example of a photo taken with the black and white filter

Panoramic photography

This is the function of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini's camera  that allows you to cover a large scene in a single photograph. The panorama can be taken vertically or horizontally, but it is only available for the main camera of the phone.

Panoramic example

To capture the photo, we just have to press on the shutter button and slide the phone following the reference of the arrow that appears on the screen, until we completely cover the scene that interests us.

Super Night Mode (for tripod)

zte axon 7 mini night

Photo with night mode activated in the center of Madrid

Night photography is often one of the most difficult challenges due to the lack of lighting. However, if you use a tripod, you can increase the exposure time to obtain sharp photos in which the light sources appear without blurred areas.

zte axon 7 mini night tripod

Photo taken with super night mode via tripod

The Super Night mode of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  automatically prepares all the necessary settings for these types of photos. You just have to fix the phone to a tripod and place it on a stable surface to get good results.

Magic exhibition

In this section you can create images with a motion effect, as long as the camera is kept steady while the smartphone is capturing. There are two modes:  Water (to take pictures of rivers or the sea) and  Car Route , to create a unique image with the traces of car lights.

You can configure the white balance and exposure to your liking. In any case, as in Super Night mode, it is important to use a tripod for good results and to avoid blurring of the image.

Multiple exposure

Multiple exposure of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

This is one of the most curious functions of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini's camera  , since it allows you to create collages or compositions by mixing several photos into one. You can capture the images at the same time, following the instructions of the camera, or create a composition with photos that are already in the gallery.

Timelapse mode

This section facilitates the creation of timelapse files, since it automatically configures all the parameters, and we will only have to select whether to activate or deactivate the flash, as well as the firing frequency.

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini's own camera  will be in charge of gathering all the photographs to save the final result on the mobile.

Slow motion mode

To generate videos with a slow motion effect, we can record videos at high frame rates, so that later the smartphone plays them at normal speed and thus shows much more detail of the moving object.

Front camera modes and functions

With the front camera of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  active, we can capture normal photos ( Selfie mode ), apply beauty corrections ( Enhance mode ) and record video in Full HD quality  .

zte axon 7 mini front camera

Detail of the front camera on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

In this camera we have a smile detector, and filters, the Live function   and the timer (1 second, 3 seconds, 10 seconds or 20 seconds) are also available.

Gallery of photos taken with the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

Phone security and protection options

The fingerprint sensor is a security element of the phones that began to be incorporated in the high-end terminals but is increasingly widespread in the mid-range. The  ZTE Axon 7 Mini, following the trend, also has a reader of this type.

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini's fingerprint sensor sits at the rear , just below the main lens camera and its dual dual-tone LED flash.

It is circular in shape and stands out from the rest of the design with a shiny metallic border that reflects light much more than the rest of the phone's surface.

The fingerprint reader works as an extra element of protection for the data and applications of the phone. It can be easily configured from the Settings> Security menu.

The fingerprint can function as proof of the identity of the owner to unlock the smartphone , although this requires setting up an alternative security method (a PIN number or an alphanumeric password).

Once the fingerprints have been registered in the terminal, we can unlock it at any time by simply resting the finger on the sensor. The only exception will be the first time we unlock it when turning on the phone, when it will be mandatory to enter the PIN number or password.

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini also incorporates Smart Lock technology, which allows identifying certain patterns of the user's movement to keep the smartphone unlocked when it is close to the person or when the terminal is in a trusted place (for example, at home) .

zte axon 7 mini smartlock

Security options and fingerprint reader on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

The Smart Lock system  also allows you to configure the owner's voice recognition as a tool to unlock the smartphone.

Serial applications


Nice set of apps, Ruler, Backup, Password manager

As we've already mentioned, ZTE's customization layer incorporates few extra apps for the phone. When removing the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  from its box, we will find the following installed apps:

  • Google Suite: Gmail, Google Maps, Chrome, Google Drive, etc.
  • Basic phone apps: Contacts, Messages, your own browser, Mail, Clock, Gallery, Voice recorder ...
zte axon 7 mini watch

Alarms in the ZTE Axon 7 Mini clock app

  • A file manager, a download manager, a music player and a video player.
  • WPS Office , an office automation application for mobile devices.
zte axon 7 mini apps zte

ZTE Axon 7 Mini support and guide app

  • Tools - A section for quick access to the compass, flashlight, calculator, ruler, protractor, plumb bob, and level sensor. A section for noise testing and decibel measurement is also available.
zte axon 7 mini decibels

Tools on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

  • AccuWeather , a weather forecast app.
  • Backup , the ZTE app for managing backups and transferring information and data from one phone to another.
  • User Guide (phone usage manual) and ZTE Support (customer service and company technical support).
zte axon 7 mini tools

Ruler on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

ZTE Axon 7 Mini battery


Good internal battery, app and power manager

The smartphone  ZTE Axon 7 Mini comes equipped with a non - removable battery 2800 mAh which can provide good results of autonomy thanks to two factors:

  • First of all, we must remember that the resolution of the screen is Full HD (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels), a fact that takes it away from the high energy consumption required by panels with 2K or 4K resolution.
  • Moreover, as already mentioned, the smartphone incorporates a full power manager that allows you to set restrictions for energy - intensive applications and use measures to extend autonomy to the maximum available.

Accessing Settings> Battery manager we can see all the options available to analyze the battery consumption so far and the applications that consume the most. In addition, we can activate an energy saving mode to keep the phone on for longer.

zte axon 7 mini ignition

The sections available in  Battery Manager are:

  • Current information about the phone's charge status and the remaining usage time. Although the charge percentage is constantly updated and is accurate, the information on the time available is approximate because it largely depends on the use that we are giving the phone at all times.
  • Power consumption analysis: the phone checks the general condition of the phone and the functions that are using a lot of resources and that could affect the autonomy. From here we can automatically activate the long standby mode when the battery is low, force close the background applications that are using a lot of resources, disable the screen autorotation with a single click, activate the programmed power saving function (for to start automatically when the battery is low), etc.
  • Smart CPU : turning on this switch will allow the phone itself to automatically adjust the CPU frequency to optimize battery life to the maximum.
  • Energy saving mode: activating this option will instantly eliminate functions and options that are consuming a lot of energy.
  • Power management for applications . In this section we can assign energy saving parameters for the different apps that we have on the phone. Thus, for example, we can select which ones can run in the background, which ones will automatically close when the screen is locked, etc.
  • Battery use: in this section we can consult the information about the applications that have used energy since the last charge. The total battery time used and the apps that have consumed the most energy will be displayed, ordered from the highest to the lowest percentage of energy expenditure.
  • Apps with high energy consumption . Here we can check if there are applications that are running and that are using a lot of battery. In addition, we can activate notifications so that the system shows notifications every time one of those high-consumption apps is opened.
zte axon 7 mini battery manager

ZTE Axon 7 Mini app power manager

In terms of real autonomy, the battery of the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini  can offer very good results if we know how to manage high consumption applications and if we deactivate options that consume a lot of resources.

The battery of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini can last up to 15 hours in conversation, a day of moderate use and more than ten days of rest, data that is not bad for a mid-range terminal and for its market price.

As for fast charging options, the terminal incorporates the  Quick Charge 2.0 system , which ensures up to 45% battery charge with just 30 minutes of connection to the power supply.

It is recommended to use the original phone charger for the best possible results when plugged into the power. The connection port of the phone is reversible USB type C 2.0, and it is located on the bottom of the smartphone.

ZTE axon 7 comparison

Image of the ZTE Axon 7

Comparison ZTE Axon 7 vs. ZTE Axon 7 Mini


Comparison of key aspects such as power, cameras, screen size and resolution or internal memory

As we have already mentioned, the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini is a simpler and more modest version of the  ZTE Axon 7 , the company's flagship terminal since 2016. The price difference is quite significant, but you also have to take into account the technical specifications of both models before making the purchase decision.

Differences on the screen

As we have seen, the ZTE Axon 7 Mini has a 5.2-inch screen, Full HD resolution  (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels)  and 423 pixels per inch . It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

For its part, the screen of the ZTE Axon 7  is somewhat larger (5.5 inches) and has a 2K resolution (1440 pixels x 2560 pixels) , in addition to a higher density: 538 pixels per inch. This model is also protected with a  Corning Gorilla Glass 4 glass.

Design differences

The ZTE Axon 7  weighs 175 grams and measures 151.7mm long x 75mm wide x 7.9cm thick, making it slightly larger and slightly heavier. The Axon 7 Mini version measures 147.5mm x 71mm x 7.8mm and weighs 153 grams.

These differences are mainly due to the weight of the battery and the screen size, which is slightly larger on the ZTE Axon 7.

At the aesthetic level, the two models are very similar , since they have a metallic design with the rear surface almost identical. In Spain, both the ZTE Axon 7 and the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  can be purchased for the moment only in silver.

One of the most appreciated characteristics of the design is that the fingerprints are not easily marked , so the metallic coating maintains its shine even if we put our fingers directly on the surface.

Differences in the camera

Although the two smartphone models use a very complete camera application and with almost identical possibilities, the lens is not the same and, therefore, the quality of the photos will be higher on the ZTE Axon 7.

In fact, we are talking about a 20 megapixel front camera on the flagship model, compared to a 16 megapixel one on the ZTE Axon 7 Mini. In addition, the ZTE Axon 7  can record video in 4K quality , while the Axon 7 Mini can only record, at most, in  Full HD resolution .

In both models, the secondary (front) camera is 8 megapixels.

ZTE Axon 7 vs. ZTE Axon 7 Mini in performance and operating system

zte axon 7

Image of the ZTE Axon 7

As we have already mentioned, the two terminals come standard with  Android 6 Marshmallow , but the manufacturer ZTE has promised to update only the ZTE Axon 7 to Android 7 Nougat (at least for now).

We also found some differences, of course, in the storage capacity, in the RAM and in the processor, which in the day to day translate into differences in performance and fluidity.

ZTE Axon 7 uses a processor  Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad core. Two of them operate at 2.2 GHz and 1.6 GHz two obtain therefore more smoothly than with the Axon 7 Mini, which has a processor  Qualcomm Snapdragon 617  eight - core (four 1.5GHz and 1.2GHz four).

Also the graphics card of the Axon 7 is better, since the team needs to work without problems with the graphic content due to its 2K screen and its ability to record video in 4K quality. It is an Adreno 530 chip, while the one in the Axon 7 Mini is an Adreno 405.

The RAM memory of the  ZTE Axon 7 Mini is 3 GB , compared to the 4 GB of RAM that we find in the  Axon 7 .

In terms of internal storage capacity, we also found differences:  64 GB in the Axon 7 versus 32 GB in the Axon 7 Mini . The two models coincide, of course, in the card slots: the two terminals are DualSIM but only have two slots, so we have to choose between using two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD memory card.

Comparison of batteries and sound

The ZTE Axon 7 battery  offers one of the best autonomy results in the rankings thanks to its 3250 mAh capacity. That of the Axon 7 Mini is 2800 mAh, somewhat lower but more than enough to guarantee a day of normal use thanks to the Full HD resolution screen.

Both models incorporate a fast battery charging system .

There is also that the ZTE Axon 7 and the ZTE Axon 7 Mini share a very interesting feature: the sound quality . Both teams have a dual Dual Hifi speaker system on the front and integrate  Dolby Atmos surround sound technology .

ZTE Axon 7 Mini price and conclusions


The official cost of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini is 300 euros, excellent value for money 

The ZTE Axon 7 Mini is already on sale in Spain for 300 euros (official price) , in silver. It is a price very close to that of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017, one of its main rivals in this segment.

As we have seen, it is a much lower price than the flagship terminal of the brand, the ZTE Axon 7. This model is now sold in our country for 450 euros .

Logically, the brand does not intend to place the ZTE Axon 7 Mini  in the same range, but to offer a mid-range terminal with good features for those who do not want to invest so much money in the smartphone.

Considering the technical characteristics, there is no doubt that the performance of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini makes it an excellent option (for performance, camera, etc.) within the price range in which it is found.

Do not forget that many Chinese smartphone manufacturers (such as ZTE) offer precisely the same concept: terminals with good performance and some high-end features, but at a more moderate price than other competing models.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini datasheet

BrandZTE
ModelAxon 7 Mini
TypeSmartphone

screen

Size5.2 inch
ResolutionFull HD (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels)
Density423 pixels per inch
TechnologyCapacitive Super AMOLED touch
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4

Design

Dimensions147.5mm long x 71mm wide x 7.8mm thick
Weight153 grams
materialsMetal
ColorsSilver
WaterproofNot
Fingerprint readerYeah on the back of the phone
OthersDualSIM

Camera

Resolution16 megapixels, phase detection autofocus
FlashDual Tone Dual LED Flash
VideoFull HD (1080p at 30 fps), HD (720p at 120 fps)
Sensor and modesFilters: Loin, Sepia, Cute, Cold, Cartoon, Cozy, Mirror, Fisheye

Automatic photography

Manual mode

HDR mode

Panoramic photography

Super night mode

Multiple exposure and collages

Magic exhibition: water, car route

Timelapse mode

Slow motion mode

Video mode

Selfie mode

Beauty mode

Selfie video mode

Live mode

OpeningAperture f / 1.9
Image stabilizationYes
ISOAuto ISO

ISO 100

ISO 200

ISO 400

ISO 800

ISO 1600

Front camera8 megapixels, f / 2.2, no flash
OthersWatermark

Shutter tone

Image geotagging

Timer

Face detection

Selfie enhancement

Mirror mode for selfies

Supplemental lighting for selfies

Multimedia

FormatsAudio playback formats:

Video Playback Formats:

RadioNot
Sound32-bit / 192 kHz audio

Dual HIFI stereo speakers (dual speakers on the front for surround sound)

FeaturesDolby Atmos 360º with Dolby Digital Plus sound enhancement technology

Noise cancellation system

Atmos equalizer for sound in music and videos

software

Operating systemAndroid 6.0.1 Marshmallow + ZTE MiFavor UI 4.0 interface
Own applicationsBasic phone functions: messages, contacts, calendar, clock, Internet browser, sound recorder

ZTE's own Launcher

Camera app, gallery, music player, video player

Use guide, ZTE support

Google Suite: Gmail, Chrome, Hangouts, Google Drive, Google Play Store, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Maps, Google Keep, YouTube ...

WPS Office

Tools: compass, flashlight, calculator, noise test, ruler, protractor, level gauge, plumb line

TouchPal keyboard

Phone Optimizer

AccuWeather for weather forecast

File manager, download manager

Backup manager

Power

CPU processorQualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 Octa-core (four 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and four 1.2 GHz Cortex A-53 cores)
Graphics processor (GPU)Adreno 405
RAM3 GB
Power testsAnTuTu Benchmark: 47187 points

Geekbench 4: 698 Single-Core / 2213 Multi-Core

Memory

Internal memory32 GB
ExtensionExternal microSD card up to 128GB (uses second SIM slot)

Online storage systems (Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, Google Drive)

Connections

Mobile Network4G (LTE)

3G

2 G

WifiWiFi 802.11 b / g / n
GPS locationYes, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
BluetoothBluetooth -version-
DLNA ""
NFCYes
ConnectorUSB Type-C connector, 2.0, reversible
AudioMiniJack (3.5mm) port for headphones
SIMDualSIM (two nano-SIM cards)
Bands2G bands (GSM): 850/900/1800/1900

3G bands (HSDPA) 850/900/1900/2100

4G bands: 2100/1900/1800/1700/850/2600/900/700/800/2300

OthersWiFi Direct function

Create WiFi zones

Accelerometer

Gyroscope

Proximity sensor

Compass

Autonomy

RemovableNot
Capacity2800 mAh, Quick Charge 2.0 function for fast charging (up to 45% in 30 minutes)
Standby durationUp to 10 days
Duration in useOne day of normal use // Up to 15 hours of conversation
AnTutu Tester tests5583 points

+ info

Release dateAvailable
Manufacturer's websiteZTE Axon 7 Mini

Price: 300 euros (official price)  

zte axon 7 mini box

ZTE Axon 7 Mini with its box

Strengths of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini

High definition audio with Dolby Atmos 360 surround sound technology and Dual Dual Hifi speakers on the front of the phone.

Very good performance / price ratio.

Good lenses for cameras and a very complete application with an excellent manual photography mode.

Very fast fingerprint sensor.

Elegant metallic design. Fingers do not stain the casing.

-

It could get better…

The phone overheats very quickly and very easily if there are many applications open or there are several of them that use a lot of resources.

The front camera does not have an LED flash.

The highest video recording quality is Full HD.

The screen has Full HD resolution and not higher.

There is no news about the possible update to Android 7 Nougat for this ZTE model.