This is quite a nice phone and the price is exceptionally good. Anywhere else, I think it sells for around $250 or more.
This phone is sold at Loblaws, as a pre paid phone, for their pre-paid PCMobile service.
The phone Specs are better then my Moto G 3rd gen phone. OLED screen, higher res than my Moto G, USB 2 Type 3 connector (very nice), 5.2 inch screen, The SIM card carrier holds a nano SIM card and a Micro SD memory card.
The phones are a little scarce, at Loblaws, right now. The quy had to bring my phone in from another Loblaws. There were not too many phones available, in his district.
https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_7_mini-8232.php
Correction Jan 14- I removed the mention of dual SIM capability, after reading the user manual and finding the phone only has a place for one SIM card (the second recess in the SIM carrier will take a micro SD memory card and this second recess will also accept a second SIM, but this Canada ZTE phone won't recognize the second SIM).
Bill
Forgot to mention, if you collect President Choice points, the quy gave me 1000 pts (worth $1 of groceries) just for talking to him, plus I believe I got a whack of PC pts, from buying the phone.
This looks potentially interesting as a 2nd phone, given its price and the dual SIM. I read a few reviews which praised the display and audio, but panned its application loading performance and battery life. But there was some suggestion that one or both would be fixed by a Nougat update. What is your impression of its performance and battery life? Do you have it running Nougat?
Nice! They don't even mention it on the PCMobile website. Perhaps it's a discontinued model, hence the special? The processor might be a bit on the slow side (1.5 Ghz) but it's octa-core. Looks like a great phone especially because of that price!
It amuses me that today mini in a phone means 5.2"! Not that long ago, that would have considered gigantic for a screen.
I wouldn't put too much reliance on the reviews. These guys are used to using high end phones, so anything like a mid level phone, then they would not be impressed with.
For someone like me, who uses a cell phone just for basic needs, this phone should be very good. As I said, it's specs beat my current phone, a Moto G 3rd gen, and the Moto G has worked well for me.
I have 15 days to return the phone, as long as I don't activate it. So I can't comment about the battery life. It has a larger capactity battery than my Moto G, but the processor is more pwerfull. I expect for my uses, the battery life will be fine. I don't use the phone for streaming media/movies etc, very much.
I just got it late yesterday afternoon, so I don't yet, have much testing done. The OLED screen has a very nice screen and the 5.2" size is larger than the Moto G and it is very nice.
My make or break factor, on keeping the phone, will be if the usb Type C port can work as an On The Go port (Host port). The online manual says the port is an OTG. This would allow a standard usb flash drive to be operated from the phone port, as well as a usb mouse or usb keyboard.
I do have an Android app (Amateur Radio, I believe) that needs an OTG phone port, to pass Data.
Quote from: fox on January 06, 2018, 10:34:13 AM
This looks potentially interesting as a 2nd phone, given its price and the dual SIM. I read a few reviews which praised the display and audio, but panned its application loading performance and battery life. But there was some suggestion that one or both would be fixed by a Nougat update. What is your impression of its performance and battery life? Do you have it running Nougat?
GSM Arena, says it was announced in Sept 2016.
The "Mini", I gather, refers to the reduced specs of this model, compared to the ZTE Axon 7 model. Otherwise it is the same physical size and screen size. The display resolution is lower, on the Mini. One of the reviews, mentions this same observation that you made, Jason, about the use of the term, "Mini"
I am very impressed with the sound volume, of this phone. It is enough to wake the dead, when the phone is turned on. :-)
Quote from: Jason Wallwork on January 06, 2018, 11:10:16 AM
Nice! They don't even mention it on the PCMobile website. Perhaps it's a discontinued model, hence the special? The processor might be a bit on the slow side (1.5 Ghz) but it's octa-core. Looks like a great phone especially because of that price!
It amuses me that today mini in a phone means 5.2"! Not that long ago, that would have considered gigantic for a screen.
What do you mean by "as long as I don't activate it". You mean you have to keep it at the welcome screen? You can't really test it that way. Or do you mean as long as you don't put a SIM in it?
As long as I don't put the Sim in and sign up for an account, I can return the phone within 15 days.
I can test the phone and apps out, by running WiFi.
OK, so I have had a few days to test out the ZTE Axon phone. I am very pleased with the phone and will be keeping it.
It seems to be quick to operate the various apps. It seems to be quicker than the Moto G 3rd Gen.
The battery seems to last a long time, for the use I put it to.
The usb Type C port supplies a higher amperage charge and the battery charges up very very fast.
I bought a usb "on the go" cable that has the usb Type C connector, to fit the Type C connector on the ZTE Axon. The cable worked great, so now I can hook up a usb flash drive stick and read and write to it. I can also use a usb keyboard or usb mouse. One of my Amateur Radio apps that needs a "on the go" usb port, to pass Data back and forth, should work fine with the ZTE Axon.
The ZTE Axon does require a nano SIM. So I had to take my PC Mobile micro SIM and trim it down to a nano size.
It was a bit like doing brain surgery, to get the trimmed nano SIM to fit in the frame of the SIM holder, but I did manage it and now I am connected to my PC Mobile service . :-)
Bill
Are you coming to PLUG MUG this week? I'd love to see your new phone.
The weather forecast is showing snow for Monday evening, so I probably won't be making the drive from Lindsay. If the forecast changes to clear weather, I would make the drive.
Bill
Did you check whether they have the phone at Loblaw's in Peterborough?
I don't know if the ptbo Loblaws store has the ZTE phone, on display.
If you are interested in the phone, the person at the phone kiosk, might be able to locate one and bring it in for you.
You should be able to get 1000 PC points, for just talking to the person, if you ask for the points.
Yes, Peterborough Loblaws has them and I bought one and got the 1000 PC points. I don't know if I'll keep it or not, but the very low price, Bill's positive review and the dual SIM feature make it worth considering. I'll bring it to PLUG MUG tomorrow night if anyone is potentially interested in one of these. I had the impression that Peterborough Loblaw's has plenty of them.
Ok, just downloaded the User Manual and it is saying there is only 1 SIM slot. The second slot in the SIM holder is only for use for a micro SD memory card. :-( So this phone does not have dual SIM capability.
The GSMarena web site, identified the slot as a SIM 2 slot, which led me to believe that the second slot could take either a SD memory card or a second SIM card.
The Axon 7 (the mini's Big Brother), does have dual SIM capability.
This is a bit of a let down for me, but it probably will be a deal breaker for Mike!
Bill
Unfortunately, I think you're right, Bill. I took my Koodo SIM and tried it in both slots. It actually fits in the micro SD slot when put in the right way, making it look like the holder is intended for either SIM/SD or dual SIM. But it doesn't register on the phone in this slot. (It does in the other slot.) This will likely have me taking the phone back, as without the dual SIM it has no advantage over my iPhone 6.
The manual for the Axon 7, shows that you have to go in to the phones menu and select the SIM card that you want to use. I don't see any such menu on my mini phone.
I just did a Google search for the mini having dual sim capability and I am seeing more than 1 article that says the mini is dual sim, capable?
I will need to do some more investigation.
After more research, it appears the model being sold in Canada does not support 2 SIM cards.
The model sold in the US, does support 2 SIM cards. grrrr!
Bill
I think you're right, Bill. When I checked the ZTE USA site, it notes the dual SIM, whereas the ZTE Canada site does not. But note this ad from Canada Computers (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_415&item_id=107665) - it advertises a dual SIM and is only$50 more than the PC model. If it has the feature and I like the phone, I would pay the extra money for that feature. Perhaps theirs is the U.S. model.
One other consideration that I hadn't realized until last night. The phone is Chinese made and there are claims that ZTE is linked to the Chinese Government. I read that a U.S. lawmaker is proposing a bill that would prevent U.S. government employees from working with firms using Huawei and ZTE technology (https://www.phonearena.com/news/US-bill-plans-to-prevent-government-from-working-with-firms-that-use-Huawei-and-ZTE-technology_id101619).
I have until this Friday, to take back my phone, and get my money back.
I suspect the Canada, ZTE Axon 7 mini, probably has the hardware to support dual SIM's. It probably is just the firmware that needs to to replaced with the USA firmware.
The XDA website looks to have lots of info on modding the Axon 7 mini.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7-mini/development/unlock-tuliptool-unlock-twrp-custom-boot-t3682781
I am going to do a bit of reading, to see if there is a mod that I can do.
Bill
Also, does your phone come with Nougat installed? Mine comes with Marshmallow. Could Nougat unlock the dual SIM? Is it available for Canadian ZTE mini 7's?
From what I have read from various users of this Canada version phone, it looks like ZTE is not going to provide the upgrade to Nougat.
The "About" menu items seems to be showing that there is an Update, that can be done, but I suspect this may be an update within the Marshmellow version. I won't try the update, until I decide that I will keep the phone.
My phone doesn't show an update; it's at 6.0.1. However, this (https://www.androidro.com/install-b12-android-7-1-1-nougat-official-update-on-zte-axon-7-mini/) website shows that there is an update for it, but mentions a specific build ID: B2017GV1.0.0B12. The build ID on mine is B2017G. I wonder what build the one at Canada Computers is?
I called Canada Computers, and apparently their's is a dual SIM - the guy pulled out the slot and says it showed the SIM symbol along with the SD card symbol on the same slot. The $199 model, though, is only the gold one, not the silver one you get from PC mobile. The grey model is back-ordered and costs $249. I wouldn't pay that. I've been using the phone last night and today and it does seem like a good phone. I do wonder whether PC mobile carries the dual SIM model?
From reading on the XDA website, that I gave a Link to earlier in this thread, there are numerous versions of this phone. There is a US version a Canada version, a UK version, a Chinese version and an international version.
Each version has their own image software installed which gives them different features such as dual sim (US version) or single sim (Canada version), NFC, FM radio etc.
I suspect the Gold coloured version that Canada Computers has, is maybe a UK or International version ( and that is why it has dual SIM capability). I am wondering if the Gold coloured phone is an older model (2016??)
PC mobile only carries the single SIM phone model.
I still am trying to determine if I can flash the US version image onto the PC Mobile phone, that would add the dual SIM capability, to the phone. I suspect the circuitry (contacts, etc) may be in the phone, and it is just the software that is crippling the Dual SIM feature.
I finally found an answer about Canadian version upgrade to Nougat - it's not upgradeable (see this post (https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7-mini/help/help-updating-canadian-version-t3685927)). However, there is some suggestion that it will receive a minor update to cover security issues (see this post (https://community.zteusa.com/discussion/comment/228993/#Comment_228993)). The latter posting also noted that the Mini 7 is no longer under production, and referred to it as a "dead end phone". This is undoubtedly why it is deep-discounted at PC Mobile.
In contrast, the USA version appears to be upgradeable to Nougat. This is noted in several of the Bestbuy USA reviews (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/zte-axon-7-mini-4g-lte-with-32gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-platinum-gray/5599500?page=3&sort=MOST_HELPFUL).
There is nothing on the ZTE Canada website, that indicates the Axon 7 mini, is no longer going to be made.
It would be nice if the phone manufacturers would update their Android version, from what was originally on the phone, but for all the Android phones I have had, they have all been stuck at their original Android versions, when purchased. :-(
According to this (https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_7_is_no_longer_in_production-news-28495.php), it's the Axon 7 that would no longer be manufactured, not the mini. But you are correct, Bill, that there has been no official announcement about the Axon 7, regular or mini, going out of production. At least I cannot find any official announcements. Out of production or not, this doesn't bother me. I'm sure the iPhone 6 is also out of production :). But I sure would like to be able to update the Axon 7 mini to Nougat.
On the xda website i seem to recall that some of the UK or International versions were not getting the Nougat update but the guys were able to download the Nougat update and put it on the sd memory card and get the phone to update that way.
If you go to the XDA link I posted earlier (here (https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7-mini/help/help-updating-canadian-version-t3685927)), the first post is by a Canadian with the same Android version, model number and build number as the phone I got from PC Mobile (presumably the same as yours). He was able to download the update and put it on an SD card, but it wouldn't install on his phone. The message it gave him was: "package mismatch installation aborted".
I'm just curious, Fox, what is that you're looking for in the Nougat update? Is there a particular feature you need?
Security fixes and better battery life. Also, the possibility that an upgrade would enable second SIM capability in the SD/SIM slot.
You can get security fixes without having to get Nougat if the provider updates it. But yeah, battery life seems to get better with every new release of Android.
Bill, are you keeping the phone?
Yes, I am keeping the phone. A very nice phone at a great price. The phone can be moded, as well.
Yes, it really is a nice phone, and the price is very low for what you get.
What kind of mods are you looking into? Also, you mentioned in an earlier post some settings you used to increase battery time. Could you elaborate? I found one setting, but it seems to be all or nothing, and it results in putting red bars on the phone (warning that this reduced power setting is in effect).
The mod that I will try, will be to install the USA image or the UK/International image, on the Canada version phone. I want to see if that will uncripple the single sim Canada version phone and allow dual sim operation, that the US and some International Axon mini phones can do.
The US version image may allow an upgrade to Nougat, as well.
Since there is a possibility that the phone may get bricked, I won't be doing this until I have had the phone about a year. I will keep my eye on the XDA site to see if someone with a Canada version phone has succeeded in imaging the USA version software, onto the phone.
For reducing battery power usage and Data usage, I haven't changed any settings.
What I do is, I go to the Apps menus and I uninstall any apps that I don't use and that can be uninstalled. I disable Google Play Store, for one, because I found it was chewing through my limited Data, when I had the Data turned on.
I force close all other apps, that I am not using at the time. Apps such as ColorNotr, Dropbox, KeyPass, etc.
Note - if you turn you phone off and then when you power up again, some of the core apps, that had been force closed will be turned on, again. After I power up the phone, I go into the Apps menu and force close the apps that have been turned on.
This routine is more for preventing excess Data usage than for power savings, but the battery charge does seem to last longer.
Also, to save battery power/Data usage, I turn syncing off on everything, except my weather app. I go into the Google Account and turn of all Google syncing.
Of course the Location service is turned off, unless I need to use it for the Map app.
I leave the phone, powered on overnight, but I turn off wifi and I put the phone into airplane mode.
It let you uninstall Google Play? Interesting. How do you update apps without it?
You can log onto your Google Play Store website with a browser and select the Google Play Store app, and it will download it to the phone.
In the case of this phone with Marshmallow Android, I was mistaken about being able to uninstall the Play Store app. The app can only be disabled, so when I want the Play Store back, I just enable it.
I tried to disable/stop Google Play Services, but Marshmallow Android won't allow that to be done.
I think I now have a better understanding of the situation, having gone to Canada Computers this morning. As I noted earlier, they have the gold version of the same phone on sale for $50 more than we paid at PC Mobile, and they had a demo that I could check out. What I found was that it does have the dual SIM function, that it was already running Android Nougat, that the Build number is slightly different; missing the part of the number that identifies it as a Bell version, and the model number has "USA" in it. I asked a salesperson who seemed to know a lot about their phones. He indicated that a lot of Canada Computer products are U.S. or international versions. When I showed him my PC Mobile model, he speculated that Bell Canada bought a lot of these phones and later decided to either get rid of excess stock or just dump the model and sell their stock to PC Mobile at a deep discount. I'm guessing the latter because that phone is not listed on the Bell Mobility website.
I ended up buying the phone from Canada Computers, though I had to settle for the gold model. The other phone will be taken back to PC Mobile once I make sure that this one is good.