ZTE Axon 50: A Blend of Familiar Design and Modern Tech
ZTE is shaking things up a bit with their new Axon 50. They've reached back for a processor that's a few years old but still packs a punch. Scroll-aholics will appreciate the super-smooth 144Hz refresh rate. Plus, with 100 percent DCI-P3 gamut coverage and a claimed peak brightness of 1000 nits, colors should be vibrant and visibility good, even outdoors.
A Familiar Face, Modern Internals
The first thing you might notice about the Axon 50 is its design. ZTE seems to be channeling the spirit of the old Samsung Galaxy Note series with its "old-school" case design. It’s a refreshing change.
Coupled with this is a very modern display: a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen that curves elegantly at the sides. It boasts a sharp 2400x1080 resolution. The previously mentioned super-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and vibrant colors thanks to 100% DCI-P3 gamut coverage enhance the visual experience. ZTE also says the screen can hit a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which should be great for outdoor viewing.
Under the Hood: A Familiar Powerhouse
Now, about that processor. The Axon 50 is running on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Yes, it's not the latest and greatest, but this chip was a flagship powerhouse just a short while ago and is still incredibly capable. ZTE has paired it with a generous 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a hefty 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. That’s plenty of speed and space for most users, so multitasking and storing your files shouldn't be an issue.
Photography: A Key Focus with Capable Cameras
Photography seems to be a key focus here. The main camera is a 64-megapixel Sony IMX787 sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – expect clear and steady shots. This is a welcome feature for clearer shots. It’s joined by a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera that also handles macro photography and macro duties, so you can get those cool close-ups. For those distant subjects, there’s another 50-megapixel module dedicated to 3x optical zoom, offering three times optical magnification. This is a feature often reserved for pricier phones.
Battery and Other Niceties
Keeping everything running is a 5000 mAh battery, which supports speedy 80-watt charging. That means less time tethered to an outlet. Another neat, almost retro, feature is the inclusion of an infrared port, allowing you to control your home appliances like your TV or air conditioner directly from your phone.
Price and Availability: An Attractive Proposition
Here’s where things get really interesting. In China, the ZTE Axon 50 is priced at around $250. That's quite an appealing price tag for the specs on offer. As for availability in other countries, ZTE hasn't made any announcements just yet, so we'll have to wait and see.
