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Does this Axon 7 Mini look 'mini' to you?

The smaller-scale version of ZTE's metal Axon 7 drops its screen size, and some hardware specs, to reach an even lower cost.

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).
James Martin Managing Editor, Photography
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
Expertise photojournalism, portrait photography, behind-the-scenes Credentials
  • 2021 Graphis Photography Awards, Gold Award, Journalism, 'The Doorway' Graphis Photography Awards, Silver Award, Portrait, 'Cast of film '1917'' Graphis Photography Awards, Silver Award, Environmental, 'Upper Lola Montez' ND Awards, Architecture, 'Taj Mah
Jessica Dolcourt
James Martin
ZTE Axon 7 Mini
1 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Which is the ZTE Axon 7 and which is the ZTE Axon 7 Mini? Go ahead, guess.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
2 of 22 James Martin/CNET

If you said the phone on the right is the Axon 7 Mini, you're right.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
3 of 22 James Martin/CNET

With just 0.3-inch size difference between both phone screens (measured diagonally), the Mini still has a pretty large display.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
4 of 22 James Martin/CNET

But it's a cheaper phone, and uses different, less expensive parts to get to that lower price.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
5 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Take the camera: It has a 16-megapixel lens versus the Axon 7's 20-megapixel shooter.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
6 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Like the Axon 7, the Mini has a fingerprint reader and support for NFC so you can use Android Pay.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
7 of 22 James Martin/CNET

There are two speaker grilles, too, which helps make audio sound louder and richer.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
8 of 22 James Martin/CNET

And it shares the Axon 7's 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
9 of 22 James Martin/CNET

This dual-carriage tray can hold a SIM card and a microSD card or side-by-side SIM cards.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
10 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Here's a closer look.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
11 of 22 James Martin/CNET

This particular animated transition makes the home screens look like they're spinning on a branched stand.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
12 of 22 James Martin/CNET

This optional feature pops up shortcuts from a button that stays put across your screens.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
13 of 22 James Martin/CNET

You can toggle the higher-fidelity Dolby audio software on and off in the pull-down menu.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
14 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Enjoy some more shots of the ZTE Axon 7 Mini.

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
15 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
16 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
17 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
18 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
19 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
20 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
21 of 22 James Martin/CNET

ZTE Axon 7 Mini
22 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Find out about pricing, availability and more about our hands-on time with the ZTE Axon 7 Mini.

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