You can, for all intents and purposes, say that I haven't really had a smartphone until now. The only one that came close was my LG Optimus One, which ran Android 2.2 and had a few dozen megabytes of usable, internal storage. That said, I got it for about a hundred bucks around five years ago. I wanted a portable computer based on a modern Android OS for quite some time, but could never justify the cost give how little it would be used outside of WiFi.
This year changed that quite a bit. With ZTE, OnePlus, ASUS, and other companies fighting for the mid-range space, it seemed like now would be a good time to buy, and the ZTE Axon 7 ended up being my choice. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, which is all over the place it seems, supports OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan, although the depends on the handset vendor to ship the compatible drivers. Since it's likely that ZTE will ship those APIs, especially when Android N is pushed to it, I was able to justify the extra cost with software development. It also has a beautiful, AMOLED display and surprisingly good sound, especially for voice-centric bands like The Tragically Hip.
One thing that confused me was Newegg's pre-order bonus. For purchasing the device, already about half the price of comparable phones, they throw in a pair of Monster over-ear headphones for free. Yes, nothing is truly for free, and Monster products typically don't cost anywhere near their retail price, which claims to be $200 CDN, but the phone, itself, already seemed like it was pocket change over cost. Makes you wonder how much ZTE is selling it to Newegg for, and whether it's sustainable.
Anywho, I have now joined the modern mobile world.
Are you going to review it
Are you going to review it once you’ve had it a bit? I’m very interested in this phone. Thanks!!
Thanks!
I’m not sure how good
Thanks!
I'm not sure how good of a phone reviewer I'd be, though. As I said, this is basically my first smart phone. I might be able to do something after Nougat comes out, though.
I would love to read a review
I would love to read a review as well.
I still want the dumbest flip
I still want the dumbest flip phone that only has the ability to make/receive phone calls. I’d buy a Smart phone but the phone has to have the ability to have all the spying turned off and be configured to respect my privacy. So that means location information, as well as contacts/other info are private. I don’t want wifi or games just a phone, so wifi must be able to be disabled also.
So I’ll pay even more for a dumb phone, running some obscure OS that is only able to make phone calls with no other functionality other than text messaging from the provider confirming any added prepaid minutes! I do not text, but even flip phones are stuck with texting functionality. The Japanese have it good for available flip phones! I’m about to go and search for an LG flip phone that my be tied to my current provider, and if the flip phone is available I’ll get 2 just to be safe. T-mobile does not carry flip phones any more where I live, but if Best Buy actually has the LG flip phone for sale, I’ll get 2 or 3 with hopes that they will last me long enough. I do not want any Android headaches with security updates or that app/crap ecosystem, I just want a phone to make/receive phone calls and not ads/spam with only my service provider able to text me with prepaid minutes added confirmation information! WTF is with this flip phone shortage.
Cool story.
Cool story.
Your information is not as
Your information is not as important or as private as you believe it to be.
But a flip phone is so small
But a flip phone is so small and it fits into a small camera case that I have on my belt! Flip phones are great and small and stay charged for days. Google and Android suck, large fondle slabs suck. Fondle slabs suck they run Android, they require updates, and they drink the battery juice! I just need a phone, to make and receive calls! I do not need an amusement park sticking out of my back pocket or bending or spamming! Smart Phones are spam portals and nothing more, dumb flip phones are great small screens mostly to see the numbers dialed. Google and Android and smart phones are one big spam-a-looza. Smart phones are usually liked by dumb people. Dumb flip phones are liked by people with some brains who only need a phone to make and receive phone calls!
“Dumb flip phones are liked
“Dumb flip phones are liked by people with some brains who only need a phone to make and receive phone calls!”
…and trolls, apparently.
Google’s paid minion, you
Google’s paid minion, you are! Google’s “search engine” only points to the spam websites that Google’s “Spam” algorithms want folks to see. Android like iOS is just another toy/application ecosystem for the brain dead. Smart phones are for fools with no imagination who wander into the traffic and get hit by a Mac Truck(Look up from that screen you fool). Flip Phones take up the least amount of space and last the longest on a charge, with very little of the flip phone’s battery capacity taken up by ad spam. Phones are for calls and laptops are the best mobile deals that often cost less than most smart phones! Smart Phones are the new rip off with plenty of fools separated from their money. Flip phones have as their primary usage to make and receive phone calls while smart phones are there to nickel and dime the users while tracking/spying to push more spam, enjoy charging your “Smart” phones once or more likely twice a day and watch those big smart phone batteries they can and do burn quite often!
http://i.imgur.com/2di5joe.gi
http://i.imgur.com/2di5joe.gif
What language are you
What language are you speaking, no one ever looks at GIFs!
Google sucks and so does Android, iOS, windows 10! Flip Phones Rule!
also in the news:
“Lenovo denies claims it plotted with Microsoft to block Linux installs”
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09/21/lenovo_denies_plot_with_microsoft_to_block_linux_installs/
Have this phone, same model
Have this phone, same model and same pre-order bonus as well.
Huge upgrade over my Asus ZenFone 2 Laser in every aspect.
I’ve had no problems with the phone in any respect and my entire experience has improved switching to it, not to mention it’s at a very good price considering the specs.
How do they afford to throw
How do they afford to throw in “$200” headphones? Hmmm immense profit maybe? On the other hand Amazon has the BLU R1 HD for $60 and the Lumia 640 was $30
Phones are the last bastion of tech profit. Selling you $20 to $200 worth of device for $300 to $1100… (You’re still going to drop it too… or your spouse will dunk it in the toilet or leave it on the cars roof)
I grabbed the $70 version of
I grabbed the $70 version of the BLU R1 HD with 2gbs of Ram. Works really well my only grip is the UI takes some getting used to since I usually use LG.
I want this phone now. If I
I want this phone now. If I buy it now will I get the headphones with it? Please say yes.
Funny how this post just
Funny how this post just showed up. After the news that the next Nexus/Pixel will start at $650 I started looking around at alternatives. It seems like your best options are the Oneplus 3 and Axon 7 at $400. If the Nexus pricing rumours end up being true I’ll be swapping out my 4 year old Nexus 4 for the Axon 7. There is a recent update for the A7 that improves things quite a bit but be warned it looks like after the update you can’t disable their proprietary apps anymore. If you disable them, install the stock google apps and then update you’ll be fine. I also assume they’ll change this back in the future.
You can disable the bundled
You can disable the bundled apps, by strangelynit only works if you are using the “Stock Android” skin as your launcher. You can do it there and then select any launcher of your choice and they’ll stay disabled.
Perhaps the forum posts I was
Perhaps the forum posts I was reading was more specifically talking about uninstalling the apps altogether. Either way I use Nova Launcher anyways so it’s not a big deal but there are often times that I wish I could just completely remove some of the integrated apps from Google that I never use, let alone 3rd party integrated apps.
Can someone please answer my
Can someone please answer my question. When must I order the Axon 7. In order to get the free headphones
The pre-order bonus is from
The pre-order bonus is from the retailer, not ZTE. These headphones are from Newegg. The Canadian site explicitly says you can still get them, although the American one only mentions the pre-order bonus in the product page, so it might be expired. Not sure.
You might be able to get other bonuses elsewhere. I believe I heard from a YouTube review that B&H Photo bundled a different set of headphones with it, but their site doesn't mention it now, so that might also be expired.
I must say I am impressed.
I must say I am impressed. It’s only a week for my Axon7 and I am very happy. A huge improvement over my note2. The speakers are awesome, smooth performance, nice camera, well managed power settings, and the sound output made a bliss with DOLBY atmos. The FREE monster headset suits very well with this phone. I definitely recommend this, especially when you have a month’s trial period.
Get it guys, I assure you’ll not be disappointed.
I found an LG G360 flip Phone
I found an LG G360 flip Phone that was introduced to the market in late 2015, so a relatively new design. It was unlocked and comes with dual SIM slots and works with a T-Mobile(GSM) SIM. It’s not as dumb as my older Samsung flip phone but it still is not a full on smart phone. Now to do some more research about disabling JAVA and other crap that I do not need.
The phone came with a European style plug(2 round prongs) and the store forgot to give me an adaptor to the American(2 flat prongs). So I had to use one of my old LG $10 dollar phones to charge the battery as the battery in the new phone was compatible(Same battery as the old phone only more mAh of charge, 950 mAh). I went back to the store and they gave me an adaptor.
Now even most phone chargers made for the European market operate from 100-240 volts 50-60 Hz so no problems there. It took me a good 5 days of searching to find a brick and mortar store that sold unlocked flip phones as none of the the regular retail outlets(American owned and operated) had flip phones that where unlocked. So in the northeast US it’s best to go to where there are plenty of stores owned and operated by immigrant merchants, as they still have flip phones and unlocked ones for use with most carriers.
Flip Phones Rule and Smart Phones are there to nickel and dime folks to the poor house. Smart Phones are the new snake oil!
Hey I got my Axon 7 shipped
Hey I got my Axon 7 shipped less then a day and this phone is amazing. Plus I got the Monster headphones.I have to say well worth my money and best $400 phone out there.
Muhammad this phone is
Muhammad this phone is amazing. I had the Amazon fire phone for 3 years. It was a garbage phone. This phone was a huge upgrade.