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ZTE Axon Mini 32GB $247 @ Officeworks Instore and Online (was $349)

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ZTE Axon Mini 32GB $247 @ Officeworks Instore and Online (was $349)
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silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 16:08 officeworks.com.au (1994 clicks)
Last edited 12/01/2017 - 19:56

ZTE Axon Mini 32GB in Silver. Not sure if a sale price or reduced forever, but has been $349 since it was introduced in November 2016.

Pros:
* 1080P 5.2" OLED display. Has the typical green tint, but I'd put the quality of the display above that of the Galaxy S5 (but below the S6)
* Really nice metal body, proportions, and handling. Personally I prefer the body to that of the Moto G4 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
* Same AKM audio components as the other Axon models
* Very decent camera, comparable to other midrange phones
* 3GB RAM
* Dual SIM (The hybrid slot kind, either you get two Nano SIMs or one SIM and a Micro SD card)
* It's Officeworks. If you buy the phone and it doesn't meet your expectations, return it.

Cons:
* Android 5.1.1. Might be able to run the Android 6.0 ROM released for the Chinese models, but I haven't tested this. I wouldn't be counting on future software updates
* Snapdragon 616 CPU isn't especially fast, although is fairly comparable to anything else you can get locally in this price range
* No fast charging support

UPDATE: If you're comfortable voiding your warranty (test the phone thoroughly first), I just upgraded mine to the Marshmallow ROM from here and it increases both the speed of the phone, and the UI appearance.

UPDATE 2: YMMV, but the handset I received (a B2016 model) has Force Touch enabled after updating to 6.0 (as above).

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closed Comments

  • alz on 12/01/2017 - 16:13

    ********$247 and online only.

    • silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 16:19

      Might be low stock at most stores/states (I havent checked), but I picked one up today at Elizabeth St VIC, and the Russell Street VIC store also has stock according to the website.

  • buzzliteyear on 12/01/2017 - 16:18
    +1

    Really interested in this phone for the missus, anyone able to give some feedback on UI, screen, camera and speed for day to day use (i.e. phone calls, social media, photos, music etc.). Specs look ok for a year old phone but Android 5.1.1 with ZTE skin with possibility of no further updates is concerning. The other option at OW is the Moto G4 Play at $249 but on paper the Axon Mini seems better with 32GB storage, 3GB ram and a fingerprint sensor.

    • silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 16:23
      +3

      IMHO the ZTE skin is pretty ugly, unless you really like gold. That said, most of the major changes to the UI are limited to the launcher and their own apps, and the core Android UI (like the Navigation drawer etc) are either the generic AOSP designs, or Material-inspired.

      With a custom launcher, you get a fairly stock experience here, certainly closer to stock android then TouchWiz, EMUI or MIUI.

      The Main bottleneck for the G4 Play is the Snapdragon 410 CPU, which was the same unit used in the G3 and is noticeably slower than the 616.

      • irev1 on 12/01/2017 - 17:55
        +2

        the ZTE skin comes with inbuilt options to change the icon colours for those who don't like gold can choose from 2 gold ones or 2 cartoonish looking ones

    • irev1 on 12/01/2017 - 17:56
      +1

      confirmed with ZTE that no futher OS updates will come for this model.

      however the phone is great for day to day use and very snappy

      the camera app does take a few seconds to launch but I rate the photo quality better then my Oppo F1

      • buzzliteyear on 12/01/2017 - 18:00

        Ok cool, the Oppo F1 was another phone I was looking at but this is $70 cheaper. She won't be fussed on updates as long as the phone does makes calls, checks social media and takes reasonable photos.

        • irev1 on 12/01/2017 - 18:02
          +1

          not to mention this is a 5.2" 1080P FHD amoled panel vs oppo f1's 720p IPS panel

  • arctan on 12/01/2017 - 16:22

    What is the battery size?

    • tgame on 12/01/2017 - 16:53

      2800mha

    • sinners007 on 12/01/2017 - 16:33

      Half the price? Where can you get a RN3P with band 28 for $125?

    • fozzie on 12/01/2017 - 16:33

      Half the price?the pro 3 international was $200 during 11.11 but it is around $250. No warranty and having to wait might not appeal everyone

    • silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 16:34
      +2

      You'd need the "Kate" model of the Note 3 Pro (usually called the Special Edition) for Band 28, the standard "Kenzo" model doesn't support it. The B28 model is rarely below $250.

      You're also getting Australian stock, and a local warranty, with this one - for many that can be important, as being without your phone for weeks while it's away for repair can be a challenge

  • username999 on 12/01/2017 - 17:16

    I have a Samsung Galaxy note 4. Is this phone considered an upgrade to the note 4 in term of speed and processing power?

    Feel like my note 4 is getting sluggish browsing Web pages.

    • silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 17:18
      +5

      The Note 4 is definitely faster, and probably a better phone overall. I wouldn't see this as an upgrade.

      I would say the closest Galaxy equivalent to this phone is the S5.

    • irev1 on 12/01/2017 - 17:57
      +1

      No.

      you would need to get the ZTE Axon 7 for a upgrade

  • irev1 on 12/01/2017 - 18:00
    +1

    I really like the front facing speaker and it delivers decent sound

    one con I have is that changing the lock screen wallpaper can be done from the lock screen and that screen protectors and cases are hard to find on ebay… I had to order one from germany (TPU case)

  • nekov on 12/01/2017 - 18:32

    Is this to make way for the Axon 7 mini ?

  • ozhunter68 on 12/01/2017 - 18:37
    +4

    Great phone for this price with great sound and audio capabilities for people on Telstra or Optus 4G ( if they care about B28 ).

    Not so good for Vodafone 4G users regionally as this misses the often needed 850MHz Voda band.

    Target from today has on sale the Sony Experia XA Vodafone Prepaid for $169 with $30 credit. This has their 850MHz band as well as the B28 if you want to use it on alternative networks.

    Not a full HD screen, but still a nice 5" HD IPS with tiny side bezels. Same weight with smooth metal edges, similar cameras, fairly fast charging and also has a NFC chip. Runs Marshmallow ( planned update to 7 ).

    On the down side, does not have dual banb a/c WiFi, average speaker, less ram ( 2GB ), smaller battery, no fingerprint scanner and locked to Vodafone. Played with one in a store today and for $169 seems like an attractive phone for some. Enjoy :-)

    • silentsoar on 12/01/2017 - 19:57
      +3

      If you're comfortable voiding your warranty (test the phone thoroughly first), I just upgraded mine to the Marshmallow ROM from here(http://www.needrom.com/download/zte-axon-mini-model-b2016-on…) and it increases both the speed of the phone, and the UI appearance.

      Agree that the XA is a great phone, too - the design is very slick, NFC is useful for Android Pay users, and from some reports on other sites, the Vodafone prepaid handsets are actually unlocked

      • ozhunter68 on 12/01/2017 - 23:26

        Thanks, will check it out.

        • ozhunter68 on 13/01/2017 - 08:48
          +1

          Tried a Telstra Sim in the Sony but was locked for me :-(

        • silentsoar on 13/01/2017 - 13:49
          +4

          @ozhunter68: Sony handsets have two types of locking, a "Network Lock" and a "SIM Network Lock".

          Try entering the IMEI on the Vodafone unlock page (https://unlock.vodafone.com.au); if it says your phone is unlocked here, that's a good sign.

          If it's just the SIM Network lock, contacting Vodafone should get you an eight-digit PIN within 24 hours, which will unlock the phone (free of charge).

        • ozhunter68 on 13/01/2017 - 21:50

          @silentsoar:

          Thanks a lot for the tip. Was not aware of that, my first Sony phone. Take two. Haha

      • buzzliteyear on 13/01/2017 - 10:20

        I came across this in searching for possible Marshmallow updates and as noted there is no official update coming but I came across this link (http://rom-mod.com/howt-to/zte-axon-mini.html) which also provides a path to update to Marshmallow too but seems a lot easier but almost too easy, is it dodgy? Sorry I don't have any experience with flashing ROM's but if the default ZTE ROM is noticeably sluggish I would consider doing it.

        • silentsoar on 13/01/2017 - 13:53
          +1

          … yep, scam site. That website offers the same "tips" for a whole heap of phones, with the only text on the pages that changes being the name of the phone.

          For example: http://rom-mod.com/howt-to/samsung-s7070-diva.html

          I haven't gone through their 'instructions' in detail, but best-case is that it doesn't work, worst-case it might install spyware on your phone and still not work.

          Personally, I used this method to update to Marshmallow (which is working fine so far): http://www.needrom.com/download/zte-axon-mini-model-b2016-on…

          Remember that updating your software in this way will void your warranty.

        • buzzliteyear on 13/01/2017 - 15:07

          @silentsoar: Thanks for the reply, my wife is a pretty lite user so I'll run with the ZTE ROM during the 12 month warranty period then definitely look at updating then.

    • ubcool on 13/01/2017 - 09:10

      so is the sony xa definitely locked i heard some people say it might not be?

    • CheepAsChips on 13/01/2017 - 23:05

      ozhunter68, Target's Vodafone Sony Experia XA.
      1st Target store I tried said "they didn't sell them".
      Target@Chermside has 6 left, I bought one tonite. Will advise unlocking experience once tried. Thanks

      • CheepAsChips on 14/01/2017 - 21:15

        Bought another $169 Sony Xperia XA today, graphite black only with bonus $30 starter kit, now 5 left at Target Chermside Brisbane.
        These are model F3115 single nano sim. Locked to voda, but only takes a minute to search vodafone au site for unlock code, enter IMEI code then apply the unlock code as instructed. See ozbargain.com.au/node/286686

  • [Deactivated] on 12/01/2017 - 18:42
    +1

    Dual sim works with 4G/3G ?

    • ozhunter68 on 12/01/2017 - 18:49
      +3

      Only one, other is 2G only.

  • Calmago on 13/01/2017 - 09:07

    Picked one up Yesterday from Aspley (Brisbane). Great phone so far. Better upgrade than my old S4 which was dying.

    Had to call for stock.

    • irev1 on 13/01/2017 - 09:15

      I would install Gboard and totally remove the default keyboard it's trash.

      let me know if you ever try to enrypt the phone I tried and the whole phone crashed and only booted to a black screen… had to force a factory reset with hard buttons

      • Calmago on 13/01/2017 - 09:26
        +1

        I like it TBH. Maybe I just like something new/ different to try.

        Saw the suggestion above about upgrading the stock rom, however my usage is only for basic use aaaaannnnnddddd looking at things I shouldn't be……

    • buzzliteyear on 13/01/2017 - 12:06

      Quick question, the review videos show that a clear hard case was included in the box is this true for the Australian units?

      • Calmago on 13/01/2017 - 12:17
        +2

        Yep includes a free case.

      • irev1 on 13/01/2017 - 18:43

        the case is bad because it exposes the entire top and bottom frame of the phone I would look on ebay for another

  • alz on 13/01/2017 - 09:42

    AXON 7 NOW ON SALE @ JB HI FI $699 - https://www.jbhifi.com.au/phones/zte/

    • irev1 on 13/01/2017 - 10:24

      The Axon 7 isn't priced too bad, but the axon 7 mini $499 with a snapdragon 617 … eh,, hmm

  • irev1 on 13/01/2017 - 10:07

    How long do you think Lollipop will be a viable OS?

  • buzzliteyear on 13/01/2017 - 15:10
    +2

    Thanks OP and all those who added to the thread, bought one from Milton QLD Officeworks. Apparently staff say they've been popular today, a guy before me had put one on hold too. Did a lot of research about this phone and at this price has to be the best budget value phone from an Australian retailer, other than the Target Vodafone Sony XA.

  • jkim on 15/01/2017 - 15:53

    Just bought… can't get mobile data to work, and the interface is… well.. quite clunky (coming from Nex 5 with Marshmallow).
    Any tips about the mobile data problem? Reconfigured APN and still doesn't work… I'm with TeleChoice.

  • swings on 15/01/2017 - 18:20

    Thanks guys, as always great bargain, I got yesterday one for my missus from Pitt Street(3 left)since her nexus died the night be give,
    and was so impressed today I went back and just got one for myself, in Hunter St was the last one.

    The Gold bling bling skin is really something 😀👍

  • Ughhh on 15/01/2017 - 21:12

    This, the Sony Xperia XA , OPPO F1S, Huawei GR5 or the Moto G4 Plus?

  • skoondi on 19/01/2017 - 11:17

    Got one from Albany officeworks yesterday, liking the look of it have not had a play yet.

  • hrcdan on 30/01/2017 - 13:40

    Maybe i was unlucky but 1 minor drop without case(waiting on one from germany) killed power button , now turning on and off repeatedly

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