ZTE and AT&T announced a new phone this morning, one that isn’t like your typical smartphone. Usually, a smartphone has one display and we’ll sit here and argue about its resolution or bezels or some other nonsense. Well, the Axon M is quite different, sporting dual displays, both measuring in at 5.2″, with the phone featuring a foldable design.
Yup, big things happening in the design department at ZTE, people!
For specs, the Axon M offers dual 5.2″ FHD LCD displays, Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, 20-megapixel rear-facing camera, dual speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Android 7.1.2 out of the box.
As for what you can do with two screens, ZTE offers a few neat tricks, all focusing on either multitasking or sharing whatever it is you’re watching with another person.
Here are specifics modes that come with the Axon M.
- Dual Mode: Provides unlimited potential in app combinations so consumers can do more, all at once. With Dual mode, you can watch your favorite professional basketball team or PGA TOUR tournament on one screen, while ordering a pizza online on the other.
- Extended Mode: Stream, email and play games on a full 6.75-inch Full HD display. Extended mode lets you watch your favorite shows and movies on a larger screen, when and where you want to.
- Mirror Mode: Sit across from your friends and watch the same content on one device. Simply fold the device in Mirror mode and place it on a table for easy viewing from two separate sides.
- Traditional Mode: When you aren’t watching sports, catching up on your favorite shows, or surfing the web, Traditional mode gives you a great everyday smartphone that’s easy to use and hold in one hand.
So, you’re either totally loving this or totally hating it. If you’re loving it, you’ll be happy to learn that this device will be available at AT&T stores next month, priced at $24.17/month for 30 months. That’s a full retail price of about $725.
Please, share your thoughts below.
// ZTE
To me this is nothing more than a party trick, something you can take out in front of friends and family to show off your double screens. Outside of that the “benefits” listed are pure gimmick to me.
Specs aside, I just don’t see the point other than, “See whut I dun?”. Impractical at best. I’d love to see the demographic research that made them think something like this was viable.
Hopefully they fix the lag on this thing cause it’s pretty bad in videos I’ve seen.
What we really need is a phone with 3 screens. One that works as a normal screen when the phone is closed. Then you open it, the external screen turns off, and the display switches to the 2 internal screens. This way you can minimize the bezel size, and not have a huge black bar across the middle of the picture. The only thing I really see this useful for is Nintendo 3DS emulation.
For those complaining about the price….
4GB RAM more than most phones and same as the new Pixel 2
64GB of built-in storage…def more than the default 32 gig crap that even todays flagships come out with
Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, 20-megapixel rear-facing camera
dual speakers beats most phones
3.5mm headphone jack – thank you God
And an 821 proc which is barely over a year old (least they didnt go with the 6xx snapdragons like some people).
That isnt bad for probably a good chunk less than 700 easy once released with sales and deals.
Most of the added cost is for the second display. The specs you just mentioned are fairly standard among today’s flagships. In fact there are phones with everything you listed that cost hundreds less than this.
Not disagreeing with you. My point was if they had the two screens but a bunch of mid-spec components and charge that price, that would be retarded. With those specs and the two screens together the price they’re asking for is not that unreasonable
Funny thing its the right time for this compared to what came before….
Todays screens are less power hungry…
Todays batteries are longer lasting…
The new chip is less power hungry but decent power….
The latch isnt so wide that the screen seperation is massive….
And the most important thing is they actually thought about and made some actually USEFUL software modes that makes SENSE for dual flip screens.
The ideal of watching netflix or youtube on one while i surf or play a game or whatever is very very appealing…
I doubt it will sell well….but its not that bad
“The new chip is less power hungry but decent power….”
The 821 isn’t a new chip, it was released in 2016 and really it’s just an overclocked 820 which is a chip from 2015. The SD821 isn’t that power efficient, especially compared to the SD835 and the SD6XX chips.
I know that. I was referring to the chip this phone uses versus the dual-screen phone from way back when the people keep comparing it to
Ahh, my mistake.
Nice. A little gimmicky but it specs out pretty good. Figured it would be in the budget range spec-wise. Only catch for me is getting a good case for it. My phones would destroyed if I didn’t have a case for ’em.
Neat idea. But not sure the hardware could really do it justice. 821 processor and 4GB. Unless it’s super optimized, I wonder how buggy/laggy this will get over time.
Not all that familiar with ZTE when it comes to keeping it’s shtick updated.
i know a guy who worked on a dual screen phone like this years ago.
It never really went anywhere.
This is brilliant! I can’t believe no one has ever tried this before…
https://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/img/t8oQZtOX21a33jtHv0fsak1ns7g=/fit-in/970×0/2011/02/07/ddc8ec9c-fdc4-11e2-8c7c-d4ae52e62bcc/P1000598_1.JPG
What??? Pointing out that tech is rarely unique anymore and it just builds on what came before like most things…..thats never been said before!!!!
Where the Axon 8 at though, ZTE?
Axon 8 would have been a strong contender for my next phone.
Instead, Pixel XL 2 with crossed fingers.
We finally get to see the Kyocera Echo’s cousin, all these years later.
So basically ZERO advancement from the Kyocera Echo?.. K den. DOA
For $725 theres no excuse for an old azz 821
Those huge bezels tho…
Jumping right out of 2011.
I would be interested in carrying a wifi only one for travel. Pretty neat concept and with some custom ROMing this could be useful
This going to get an unlocked version as well?
It’s definitely a cool concept. I would’ve gone with 2 16:9 6″ QHD panels. It also should have had an 835 with 6GB of memory. I might pick a new one up off of Swappa. I’m just not sure there’s a market for this thing. What stops you from just getting an iPad Pro?
With those specs AND two of those screens…it would have cost the same as an Iphone X. Not to mention slow down due to the chip trying to render 2 qhd panels.
I’m already buying the iPhone x price isn’t an issue. I’ve had multiple flagships over the years that have been a $1000, you’ve got to pay to play. Just wish they’d go all out with the concept.
It’s going to be cool to hate on this project, but I’m just glad to see SOMEONE in the mobile space trying something weird and relatively unique for 2017.
1) It’s still ugly
2)Specs suck for $700+
3)Bezels are horrendous
4)Good luck with any updates
1) A device can be unique and ugly
2) By “suck” I’m assuming you mean the 821. So the LG G6 also sucks, and ZTE shouldn’t be judged any more harshly than them.
3) They are a little thick, but for a first effort and (I’m assuming) whatever custom weirdness they’re doing, they might require it.
4) Same with everyone. For whatever it’s worth, the Axon 7 is at 7.1.1 (maybe even 7.1.2?) with the August security update. Far from perfect, obviously, but ZTE isn’t a company that immediately gives up on their phones.
Not really unique, I literally haven’t seen any benefits for 2 displays. Mr Mobile has a comprehensive video and there’s nothing.
Yes the G6 sucks , I agree
It’s not launching with 8 so don’t expect it
You’ll be able to play Battleship with a friend.
Years later, Tyler is still here, crapping on everything…..being negative about anything
It was done years ago. A friend of mine worked on it. I saw a prototype. Neat, but still…meh.
Cool for emulating 3DS games, not so cool for much else.
Is there even a 3ds emulator on android that’s fully working yet? First thing I thought of was DS emulation.
no
SAMSUNG should go a different route with its foldable Galaxy X design, definitely.
2x AMOLED display & X Pen would blow people’s minds away.
Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 are sexy.