ZTE

ZTE Axon Elite: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
Adreno 430
3 GB / 32 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus

ZTE announced the launch of the Axon Elite smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Axon Elite comes with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the ZTE Axon Elite smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

ZTE Axon Elite / 1

ZTE Axon Elite specifications

BrandZTE
NameAxon Elite
ModelAXEL
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.1 oz
Dimensions6.06 x 2.95 x 0.37 inch
Colorsion gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the ZTE Axon Elite is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

ZTE Axon Elite / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57
GPUAdreno 430

The ZTE Axon Elite comes with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

ZTE Axon Elite / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

ZTE Axon Elite / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Axon Elite has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Axon Elite (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

ZTE Axon Elite / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Axon Elite comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

ZTE Axon Elite / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Axon Elite supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Axon Elite smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Axon Elite has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Axon Elite has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

ZTE Axon Elite / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Axon Elite does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Axon Elite smartphone has an accelerometer. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this ZTE phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add ZTE Axon Elite to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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