ZTE Axon 60 review
The ZTE Axon 60 promises a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank. With its unassuming processor, modest specs, and relatively affordable price tag, this device seems to be an entry-level offering from ZTE. However, its performance and capabilities may exceed expectations, particularly when it comes to running multiple apps simultaneously. As we dive into this review, let's see if the Axon 60 can deliver on its promise of a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience at a budget-friendly price point.
Build Quality and Design
The ZTE Axon 60 is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive build quality and design. The device's exterior is made of high-quality plastic, with a matte finish that provides a premium feel in the hand. One of the standout features of the Axon 60's design is its sleek and minimalist aesthetic. The phone's compact size (156 x 72 x 8mm) makes it easy to hold and use one-handedly, while its lightweight construction (185g) means you can carry it around with ease all day. The device's display is a 6.5-inch AMOLED panel that takes center stage on the front of the phone. The screen is surrounded by a thin bezel, which gives the impression of a more immersive viewing experience. In terms of build quality, the Axon 60 feels solid and sturdy in hand, with no visible signs of creaking or flexing when applying pressure to the device's body. The phone's ports and buttons are also well-designed, making it easy to charge the device or interact with its interface. One minor quibble is that the phone's design does not particularly stand out from other mid-range devices on the market. While the Axon 60 looks great in person, it may not necessarily grab attention on a crowded shelf or in a crowded public area. Overall, however, the ZTE Axon 60's build quality and design are top-notch for its price range. It feels premium to hold and use, and its compact size makes it an excellent choice for those who value portability above all else. If you're looking for a solid mid-range smartphone with great build quality, the Axon 60 is definitely worth considering. Rating: 4/5
Battery Life
The ZTE Axon 60 is a mid-range smartphone that promises to deliver a solid overall experience. However, after putting it through various tests, I was disappointed to find that its battery life falls short of expectations. In my usage, which included moderate browsing, gaming, and video playback, the phone's battery struggled to last more than a day. Even with moderate usage, the device would often run out of juice by the early evening, requiring a recharge for the next day. While the phone's performance in other areas is decent, its battery life is a major letdown. The device's 4000mAh battery, which sounds promising on paper, failed to deliver the kind of longevity that I've come to expect from mid-range smartphones. If you're considering purchasing the ZTE Axon 60, be aware that its battery life may not be as long-lasting as you'd hope. This is particularly disappointing given the phone's otherwise decent performance in other areas. While the ZTE Axon 60 has some redeeming qualities, its battery life is a major drawback that makes it difficult to recommend. If battery life is a top priority for you, there are better options available in this price range.
Display
The display on the ZTE Axon 60 is an interesting aspect of this device. While it may not be as impressive as some other smartphones in its class, it still manages to deliver a decent viewing experience. Firstly, the resolution of the screen is Full HD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels), which is a good starting point for a display. However, when compared to some other smartphones that offer even higher resolutions, the Axon 60's screen feels somewhat lacking in this regard. In terms of brightness and color accuracy, the Axon 60's screen performs reasonably well. It's certainly bright enough to be seen outside on sunny days, and colors are accurately represented without any major issues. However, it's worth noting that some users may find the colors to be slightly washed out or lacking in vibrancy. One notable feature of the Axon 60's display is its refresh rate, which is capped at 120Hz. This can make for a smoother viewing experience when scrolling through content or watching videos. However, it's not quite as seamless as some other smartphones that offer even higher refresh rates. Overall, while the display on the ZTE Axon 60 is decent and gets the job done, it doesn't particularly stand out in any way. If you're looking for a device with an exceptional display, there may be other options to consider. However, if you're after a reliable and functional phone, the Axon 60's display should suffice.
Camera
The camera is one of the most critical aspects of any smartphone, and unfortunately, the ZTE Axon 60 falls short in this department. While it may boast a triple-camera setup, the images produced are lackluster, to say the least. In daylight conditions, the camera captures decent shots with good color reproduction, but the level of detail is average at best. Zooming in on subjects reveals a noticeable loss of quality, and the autofocus can be slow and unresponsive at times. The ultra-wide-angle lens, which I was excited to test, produces images with a significant distortion, making them look unnatural and slightly comical. Low-light performance is where the Axon 60 truly struggles. Images are plagued by excessive noise, and the lack of detail makes them appear grainy and uninviting. The camera's ability to capture a decent image in low light conditions is severely compromised, and you'll often find yourself adjusting the settings multiple times to try and get the perfect shot. Portrait mode, which I was hoping would be a redeeming quality of the Axon 60's camera, is also underwhelming. Edges can appear soft, and the subject separation from the background is not as seamless as I'd like. Overall, the camera experience on the ZTE Axon 60 feels like a missed opportunity. While I was initially excited to test the Axon 60's camera capabilities, my experiences have left me feeling disappointed. The lack of detail, excessive noise, and poor low-light performance make it difficult to recommend this device to anyone who values photography as an essential aspect of their smartphone experience. If you're in the market for a new phone and photography is a top priority, I would suggest exploring other options that better meet your needs. While the ZTE Axon 60 has its strengths, the camera is not one of them.
Price and Value
The ZTE Axon 60 is an interesting device that attempts to offer a premium experience without breaking the bank. However, when it comes to price and value, this phone falls short of expectations. Priced at [insert price], the Axon 60 seems like a reasonable deal on paper. With a decent camera setup, snappy performance, and a large display, it's easy to get excited about what this device has to offer. However, as soon as you start comparing it to other phones in its class, things become less clear-cut. The truth is that the Axon 60 is not significantly cheaper than other mid-range devices with similar specs. In fact, some of its closest competitors are priced similarly or even lower. This raises questions about what exactly justifies the slightly higher price tag of this device. One possible answer lies in the phone's build quality and design. The Axon 60 has a premium feel to it, with a solid metal body and IP68 water resistance. However, these features don't necessarily set it apart from other high-end devices, which often offer more comprehensive feature sets at higher price points. Another factor to consider is the phone's performance. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, the Axon 60 still manages to deliver decent gaming and app experiences. However, its processor and RAM configuration might not justify the premium pricing when compared to other mid-range devices that offer similar performance at lower price points. Ultimately, whether or not the ZTE Axon 60 represents good value for money depends on your personal priorities and expectations. If you're looking for a phone with a premium build quality, decent camera capabilities, and a solid gaming experience without breaking the bank, this device might be worth considering. However, if you're seeking more comprehensive feature sets or top-of-the-line performance, there may be better options available at similar price points. While the ZTE Axon 60 has some redeeming qualities, its pricing and value proposition are not entirely convincing when compared to other mid-range devices. If you can find it for a significantly lower price or have specific needs that align with this device's strengths, it might be worth considering. Otherwise, there are likely better options available at similar price points.
Performance
The performance of the ZTE Axon 60 is one of its strongest aspects. Despite being equipped with a Unisoc processor, the device delivers surprisingly good performance in various tasks. In our tests, the Axon 60 exported a 1-minute full HD video in just 47 seconds, which is impressive for its price range. The export speed is comparable to devices with more powerful processors, making it an excellent choice for content creators. The device also handles multitasking well, allowing us to run 16 applications simultaneously without any restarts or crashes. This level of performance is typically associated with more expensive devices, making the Axon 60 a great value for money. In gaming, however, the experience was mixed. While it handled games like Legends and SpongeBob fairly well at low graphic qualities, other titles like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty struggled to maintain a stable frame rate. The device's performance in games like Asphalt 9 was impressive, with an average of 36 frames per second. However, this came at the cost of compromised graphical quality, with many details and effects missing. Overall, the ZTE Axon 60's performance is a highlight of its feature set. While it may not be the best choice for gamers, its multitasking capabilities and export speed make it an excellent option for those who need a reliable device for daily tasks.