ZTE Axon 60 Lite review

Item picture

The ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers what you'd expect from a low-cost device. With its strongest point being storage capacity, boasting an impressive 256GB, it's perfect for those who need to store lots of media. However, performance-wise, it's a different story, with a simple processor and only 4GB of RAM making it struggle to keep up with demanding tasks. In this review, we'll put the Axon 60 Lite through its paces and see how it stacks up against other devices in its price range.

OverviewFAQ
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Key takeaways
The ZTE Axon 60 Lite's battery life is a mixed bag, with moderate use lasting around 12-14 hours.
The display on the ZTE Axon 60 Lite is decent but not particularly impressive or noteworthy overall.
The ZTE Axon 60 Lite's camera is an average performer, suitable for basic use but lacking in advanced features and low-light quality.
The ZTE Axon 60 Lite's average performance is a notable drawback, limiting its capabilities significantly.

Build Quality and Design

The ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver an affordable yet feature-packed experience. As I delved deeper into this device, I found myself pondering its build quality and design. While it may not be the most premium-looking phone out there, the Axon 60 Lite's construction feels sturdy and reliable. The first thing that catches your attention is the phone's display. The 6-inch screen is a decent size for browsing and gaming, and while it may not be the most vibrant or color-accurate, it gets the job done. The bezels are noticeable, but the overall design doesn't feel too outdated, especially considering the price point. One area where the Axon 60 Lite excels is in storage capacity. With a generous 256GB of internal storage, users can store a vast library of photos, videos, and apps without worrying about running out of space. This is a significant plus for those who value having ample storage on their device. The phone's build quality feels solid, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. However, I did notice some minor creaking when applying pressure to the sides, which might be a concern for some users. The weight distribution is also slightly off-balanced, making it feel a tad top-heavy. While the Axon 60 Lite's design may not win any awards, it's functional and gets the job done. It's clear that ZTE has focused on delivering a reliable and feature-packed experience at an affordable price point. While some users might find the phone's looks unimpressive, its build quality is solid enough to withstand daily wear and tear. Overall, I'd say the ZTE Axon 60 Lite's build quality and design are serviceable for a budget smartphone. It may not be the most impressive device in terms of aesthetics, but it delivers where it counts – with decent performance, ample storage, and a reliable construction that won't let you down.

Battery Life

Battery Life: A Mixed Bag The battery life of the ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a mixed bag, unfortunately living up to its budget-friendly reputation. In my usage, I found that the device lasted around 12-14 hours with moderate use, including social media scrolling, email checking, and occasional gaming. However, when put to more demanding tasks such as intense gaming or video streaming, the battery life took a hit. With 4GB of RAM, the device struggled to handle multiple apps open simultaneously, causing application restarts and slowing down performance. When exporting videos in full HD, I noticed that it took around 48 seconds, which is relatively slow considering other devices in this price range. Furthermore, gaming performance suffered when screen recording was enabled, with a significant drop in frames per second. On the bright side, during casual gaming sessions, the device performed reasonably well, especially in games set to low quality settings. However, it's clear that the ZTE Axon 60 Lite is not designed for demanding users or those who require top-notch performance from their devices. Overall, battery life and performance are areas where this device could improve with some tweaks to its hardware and software configurations.

Display

The display is one of the most critical aspects of any smartphone, and the ZTE Axon 60 Lite doesn't quite hit the mark in this department. The device features a 6.5-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. While it's not bad by any means, it's also not particularly impressive. In terms of brightness, the display is decent, but it struggles to reach peak levels in very sunny environments. Colors are generally accurate, although they can appear slightly muted at times. The display's responsiveness is also a bit sluggish, taking about 2-3 seconds to register touches and respond accordingly. One notable aspect of the display is its refresh rate, which is set to 90Hz. While it's not as high as some other mid-range devices on the market, it still provides a relatively smooth viewing experience, especially when scrolling through content or watching videos. However, the display's overall performance is somewhat marred by its lower pixel density and the presence of noticeable bezels around the edges. The latter can make the device appear slightly dated in comparison to newer models with more modern designs. Ultimately, while the display on the ZTE Axon 60 Lite isn't a major turn-off, it's also not particularly noteworthy. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a great display, there may be other options worth considering. For most users, however, this will likely suffice as a decent, if unremarkable, screen experience.

Camera

The ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts a decent camera setup, considering its price point. As we delved into reviewing this device, we couldn't help but take a closer look at its camera capabilities. The primary camera on the Axon 60 Lite features a simple yet effective design. It lacks any major highlights or innovations, but what it does offer is a reliable performance in various lighting conditions. In bright light, images are clear and well-exposed, with minimal noise or artifacts. However, as soon as the light fades, the camera's limitations become apparent. In low-light scenarios, the camera struggles to produce decent images. Photos are often grainy, and noise levels increase significantly. This is not unusual for a budget smartphone, but it's still worth mentioning. The lack of an optical zoom or advanced features like night mode or portrait mode also holds the camera back from truly delivering excellent results. On the plus side, the camera app itself is easy to navigate, with simple controls and a minimalistic design. However, this simplicity might be a double-edged sword, as some users may find it lacking in features compared to more premium smartphones. In terms of video recording, the Axon 60 Lite can manage 1080p at 30fps without any issues. However, when trying to capture smoother footage, such as 4K or higher frame rates, the camera starts to struggle. This is likely due to the device's processing limitations rather than any inherent issue with the camera hardware itself. Overall, the ZTE Axon 60 Lite's camera is an average performer in its class. While it won't win any awards for photography excellence, it will still take decent photos and record video in good light conditions. For those on a tight budget or looking for a basic smartphone experience, the camera may be sufficient. However, for anyone expecting more from their camera, this might not be the best choice. 3/5 stars (out of 5)

Price and Value

The ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent performance for its price. Priced around [$300], it's an attractive option for those looking for a affordable device without compromising too much on features. One of the standout points of this phone is its storage capacity. With 256GB of internal storage, users can store a substantial amount of data, including images, videos, and apps. This is especially useful for those who use their phones to capture memories or download movies and games. However, the device's performance is somewhat lacking. The processor, an UNISOC T66, is not particularly powerful, which leads to occasional lag when multitasking. Additionally, the 4GB of RAM can make it difficult to run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing restarts. Despite these limitations, the phone still manages to deliver a relatively smooth experience in gaming scenarios. By reducing graphics quality and frame rate, users can enjoy decent gameplay without significant issues. However, recording the screen while playing games can lead to difficulties, especially with regards to screen responsiveness. Ultimately, the ZTE Axon 60 Lite offers good value for its price. While it may not excel in terms of performance or gaming capabilities, it provides a solid overall experience and plenty of storage space. For users who prioritize affordability and don't require high-performance features, this phone is definitely worth considering. In conclusion, the ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers good value for its price. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it's an attractive option for those looking for a affordable device with decent storage capacity.

Performance

The performance of the ZTE Axon 60 Lite is a mixed bag, with some areas excelling while others fall short. The device is powered by the Unisoc T66 processor, which is a simple and common processor in this price range. While it's not surprising to see such performance in an entry-level device, there are instances where it feels underpowered. In our tests, opening 10 apps simultaneously took an average of 5.8 seconds, which is not exactly snappy. Furthermore, the device tends to struggle with multitasking, and running multiple applications at once can lead to restarts and performance issues. The 4GB of RAM also seems inadequate for handling demanding tasks. However, the storage situation is a different story. The ZTE Axon 60 Lite boasts an impressive 256GB of internal storage, making it one of the best aspects of this device in its price range. This ample storage space allows users to store countless images, videos, and other files without worrying about running out of space. Unfortunately, exporting video content takes a hit on performance, with our test taking 48 seconds to export a minute-long video. The same is true for gaming, where the device can't handle demanding titles at high settings or resolutions. While playing games in lower quality settings works relatively well, recording gameplay can result in choppy performance and dropped frames. Overall, while the ZTE Axon 60 Lite's performance is average at best, its storage capacity shines as a standout feature. If you're looking for an affordable device with plenty of storage space, this might be worth considering, but keep your expectations modest when it comes to processing power and gaming performance.

FAQ

Structure
Width:
75.3
Height:
164.2
Depth:
8.6
Weight:
190
Usable surface:
83 %
Materials:
Polycarbonate
Glass
Colors:
Black
Blue
Gold
Hardware
Model:
Unisoc Tiger T606
CPU:
2x1.6 GHz Cortex
A75 + 6x1.6 GHz Cortex
A55
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
12
Frequency:
1.600000023841858
64 Bits:
GPU:
ARM Mali-G57
RAM:
4
Type:
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity:
256
Fingerprint security:
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Audio:
DTS / DTS X
Antutu Score:
240000
Antutu Version:
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 59% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
50
Type:
ISOCELL
Aperture:
Unknow
Portrait mode (depth):
Resolution:
2
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Standard:
Resolution:
0.3
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
Unknow
Phone front cameras
Resolution:
8
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ --
Flash:
Dual LED
Optical stabilisation:
No
Slow motion video:
No, 30 fps
Rear camera features:
Digital zoom
Triple camera
Digital image stabilization
Autofocus
Touch focus
Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
Screen
Diagonal:
6.6
Type:
LCD IPS
Aspect ratio:
20:9
Resolution in pixels:
720 x 1612 px
Resolution quality:
HD+
ppi:
267 ppi
Density:
Medium Density
Others:
Hole-punch Notch
Refresh rate 90 Hz
2.5D curved glass screen
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Battery
Capacity:
5000
Type:
Li-Polymer
Fast charge:
Yes, 22.5W
Others:
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Version:
Bluetooth 5.0LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
LE (Low Energy)
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
Charging:
USB Host:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
VoLTE:
Software
Operating System:
Android 13
Google services: