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ZTE's Axon M is a flip phone with twice the screens

Two 5.2-inch screens on the ZTE Axon M open into a giant 6.8-inch phone -- it's wild.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Jessica Dolcourt
Lynn La
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1 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

ZTE Axon M

You're not seeing double. Both these screens belong to one phone, the ZTE Axon M. Available on AT&T in the US for $725 (which converts to about £538 and AU$953), this phone features two displays that fold out.

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2 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Each display measures 5.2 inches. When folded out together, it makes for a 6.8-inch display.

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3 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Axon M bends outward, with the hinge on top.

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This is what it looks like all closed up.  

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5 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Given the two screens, the phone is thick, and measures 0.48 inches (12.19mm) on its side.

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6 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

It's really thick.

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7 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

It charges through USB-C.

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8 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Here it is from the top.

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9 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Yes, you spotted that right; there is a headphone jack.

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10 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

A look at the phone from its side when the second display is folded out.

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11 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The back with the phone laying completely flat.

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12 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Another look at the back and the mechanisms that fit the two screens tightly together.

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13 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The phone also features a microSD card slot (sorry, no second SIM).

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14 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

All the controls are on the left side.

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15 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

There is also a quick-launch key that can long press to open any app of your choosing. Double tap it and it launches the camera.

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16 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

You can swap viewing modes by pressing the M on the control.

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17 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

One mode is mirroring, which allows for both screens to display the same content.

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18 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Flip it like a sandwich board and two people can look at the same website, photos or video at the same time.

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19 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Or use two completely different apps, each on its own screen.

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20 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

It works in both portrait and landscape orientations.

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21 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

This mode is ideal for multitasking. For instance, looking up a location in Maps while reading an email.

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22 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

You can swipe with three fingers to switch the apps from one screen to the other.

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23 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Open it like a tablet and you can expand a single app, like a game, to fill both screens.

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24 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Another look at the expanded mode.

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25 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

There is a single 20-megapixel camera on the "main" screen.

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26 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

If you want to use the camera as a point-and-shoot, you'll have to flip the phone over first.

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27 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

But you can use the same 20-megapixel camera to take selfies too.

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28 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Another closeup look of the camera lens and flash.

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29 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 821 chipset and a 3,180mAh battery.

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30 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

It comes with 64GB of internal storage and 4GB of RAM. You can expand the memory up to 256GB.

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31 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

It runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat at launch.

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32 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Another look at the phone's backside.

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33 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

In the US, the Axon M is an AT&T exclusive. At about $725, it also costs about the same as some flagships now like the Pixel 2, iPhone 8 and Galaxy S8. For more info, read CNET's review of the ZTE Axon M.

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