• expired

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

540

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).

Related Stores

Officeworks
Officeworks

closed Comments

  • ********$247 and online only.

    • 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.

  • +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.

    • +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.

      • +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

    • +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

      • 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.

        • +1

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

  • What is the battery size?

    • 2800mha

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

    • 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

    • +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

  • 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.

    • +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.

    • +1

      No.

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

  • +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)

  • Is this to make way for the Axon 7 mini ?

  • +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 :-)

    • +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

      • Thanks, will check it out.

        • +1

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

        • +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).

        • @silentsoar:

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

      • 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.

        • +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.

        • @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.

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

    • 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

      • 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

  • +1

    Dual sim works with 4G/3G ?

    • +3

      Only one, other is 2G only.

  • 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.

    • 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

      • +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……

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

      • +2

        Yep includes a free case.

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

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

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

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

  • +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.

  • 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.

  • 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 😀👍

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

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

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

Login or Join to leave a comment