Seriously, it probably cost an extra $100000 to offer one more update and one extra year of security. That's maybe $1 per phone. Just charge the extra dollar or five.
Except that with project treble all the components which are involved in carrier certification do not change with security updates. Carrier re-certification revolves around the baseband, which rarely changed even before project treble.
Agreed. If PR honestly pitched these things with guaranteed software support for 3-4 years I don't think an extra $5-$10 would phase anybody, especially since nobody (other than Apple I suppose) does that.
Why should anyone buy this device which has literally same lack of feature set from HW perspective = no 3.5mm jack, no SD card slot, questionable servicing support and OS support. For that cash I'd get a Sony Xperia 5 Mark III. Which has everything this phone lacks and even better Front display due to no hole or such.
Agreed. Xperia 5 III is also likely to end up being supported on AT&T's network from February 2022 onward. I don't see any ZTE Axon on the list so far.
@silversurfer I absolutely agree about microSD cards and 3.5mm Jack. I bought my currently phone because it had a flagship-eque chipset and 3.5mm Jack support. I thought that 256GB flash would alleviate the need for micro SD. As I described above though it required a factor reset and 2 (two) complete re-imaging. And I think it be would have been a LOT less painful if it had a microSD. At the same time I guess we as consumers have to accept
The rules of market are fairly agnostic with regards to what customers "accept" and what they don't. As long as a company can sell good amounts of phones and even increase their margins, they will cut literally everything from the phone. The point is: what will the consumer purchase? The mere fact that Apple Google etc are cutting away SD slots and abalogie audio ports means that a sufficient number of customers purchase these products, even at a premium price. So, best thing to do is simply to ignore such devices and focus on comanies/brands/device models that still incorporate these components into devices. The Sony Xperia 1/5/10 Mark III come to mind as great alternatives, although in my opinion they are quite overpriced for what they offer especially in the camera department.
The Xiaomi Pico X3 pro has a 3.5mm jack, an SD card slot, a fairly ok-ish main rear camera, is available on Amazon even in the US and costs only 280 bucks. I am seriously considering on giving up on so called "flagships" and instead run a cheap bread and butter smartphone that does everything I need and want, and if I plan on shooting some good photos just carry around an ultra pocketable mini camera such as Canon Gx7iii or one of the Sony Rx100 models, all if which easily fit into a jeans pocket.
Consumers have to accept that micro SD cards are dying out. The newer micro SD express standard has been out for some time, has connectors available from at least amphenol, and has support from WD. But not even Sony Xperia supports it. There is nothing we can do about it. As for the 3.5 mm Jack, it actually provides SUPERIOR audio quality than USB -C Analog audio (the dongle type) because the Analog signal is transmitted by pins in close proximity to those carrying high frequency and high power signals. And if the signal is being output like that it is actually misleading to call it a 32 bit 192KHz audio, or something similar. But as I said I seriously am starting to think that I made a mistake in buying a fringe model with a 3.5mm audio but botched call management.
The hyped audio advantages of USB-C only come into play if you output digital audio to an external high quality DAC. But that adds bulk and COST disadvantages. Also, most midrange phones have USB 2.0
It's a deal killer for ANY phone that is chinese for me. Xiaomi etc has confirmed our suspicions when all kinds of data was found to be sent to odd russian and chinese servers. Too bad because they make great phones (xiaomi) at cheap prices. Its selling your soul to the spy devils. No thank you.
Xiaomis are basically sold at cost. For $270 USD or whatever for the pro model, you can't really go wrong! That's cheaper than the old Nexus 4, Nexus 5, OnePlus One. Half the price of a Samsung Galaxy S3 on release.
I'm flashing AOSP on mine. But of course that wouldn't change anything that might be contained inside the chips.
Kudos to @Andrei for b introducing browser based web benchmarks. The blacklisting and whitelisting shenanigans are seriously impairing the utility of PC mark. @dotjaz recently got a fresh perspective on the utility of software updates. Realme x7max [? Realme GT 5G] got bricked twice, before they figured that it was being caused by a software update. I was also advised and did a factory reset [unsuccessful] because my calls don't appear on the screen -- seriously. As a reference Microsoft has done an absolutely amazing job with the technology and support in Windows 10. But it has got more brickbats for BSODs and bricking from them same updates.
The processing isn't very consistent across modules, and, perhaps surprisingly, the main looks worse than the UWA zoomed in. At default mag. though the main looks competitive.
Once again I have to express my admiration for Andre's terrific Smartphone reviews. They may not cover each and every aspect of the phone but when they address certain aspects they do it with unprecedented depth, precision and technical expertise that easily surpasses the vast majority of smartphone reviews on the internet.
Thanks for the terrific work, reading your reviews is pure joy!!
I'm not sure you should be recommending any ZTE devices for US consumers right now. The US government has banned all government employees and contractors from using ZTE phones because of concerns about Chinese government involvement and investment in the company and the potential for spyware (software and hardware.) The US government has also moved to ban any ZTE equipment from installation in cellular and other networks for the same reason.
This means that over 9 million US consumers are directly barred from using this phone by their employer. If Anandtech wanted to explore some of these security concerns in more detail, that would be very cool, but I think you have to warn folks when reviewing a device like this.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at a somewhat particular device, the new ZTE A: and surprisingly enough I mean that in every sense of the word. Normally when you hear “ZTE” or “Ultra Review” your eyes cross and all hope is lost; but this time there is something curiously unique about the phone that has me hooked before I even picked it up to take for a spin. The title gives it away: it has an ultra-bright screen. We can always discuss them on https://spyphoneapp.net/ my website. It's really easy. This interesting detail could be part of what draws so many people in but by far my favorite feature is its special keyboard with built-in Android Functions keys (
Top-of-the-line chipset. Rubber body (so no extra case would be required). Removable/replaceable high-capacity battery. 3.5mm jack. Energy-efficient screen. Security updates for 4 years+. Is it really that much to ask?
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warisz00r - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
"somewhat particular device"coburn_c - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
From across the specific ocean.dotjaz - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
"Surprisingly Different"And unsurprisingly lacking on software support.
Seriously, it probably cost an extra $100000 to offer one more update and one extra year of security. That's maybe $1 per phone. Just charge the extra dollar or five.
sabot00 - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
No way. An extra year of support is easily 5-10 million USD. Even if dev work was free, the cost of carrier certification is huge.linuxgeex - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Except that with project treble all the components which are involved in carrier certification do not change with security updates. Carrier re-certification revolves around the baseband, which rarely changed even before project treble.jvl - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
So charge 5 USD more. Or 10 USD more. Which is exactly what OP proposed.. (Nonwithstanding below's comment)Samus - Sunday, August 1, 2021 - link
Agreed. If PR honestly pitched these things with guaranteed software support for 3-4 years I don't think an extra $5-$10 would phase anybody, especially since nobody (other than Apple I suppose) does that.Silver5urfer - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Why should anyone buy this device which has literally same lack of feature set from HW perspective = no 3.5mm jack, no SD card slot, questionable servicing support and OS support. For that cash I'd get a Sony Xperia 5 Mark III. Which has everything this phone lacks and even better Front display due to no hole or such.neothe0ne - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Agreed. Xperia 5 III is also likely to end up being supported on AT&T's network from February 2022 onward. I don't see any ZTE Axon on the list so far.https://www.att.com/idpassets/images/support/wirel...
drajitshnew - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
@silversurfer I absolutely agree about microSD cards and 3.5mm Jack. I bought my currently phone because it had a flagship-eque chipset and 3.5mm Jack support.I thought that 256GB flash would alleviate the need for micro SD. As I described above though it required a factor reset and 2 (two) complete re-imaging. And I think it be would have been a LOT less painful if it had a microSD. At the same time I guess we as consumers have to accept
ottonis - Sunday, August 1, 2021 - link
The rules of market are fairly agnostic with regards to what customers "accept" and what they don't.As long as a company can sell good amounts of phones and even increase their margins, they will cut literally everything from the phone.
The point is: what will the consumer purchase? The mere fact that Apple Google etc are cutting away SD slots and abalogie audio ports means that a sufficient number of customers purchase these products, even at a premium price.
So, best thing to do is simply to ignore such devices and focus on comanies/brands/device models that still incorporate these components into devices.
The Sony Xperia 1/5/10 Mark III come to mind as great alternatives, although in my opinion they are quite overpriced for what they offer especially in the camera department.
The Xiaomi Pico X3 pro has a 3.5mm jack, an SD card slot, a fairly ok-ish main rear camera, is available on Amazon even in the US and costs only 280 bucks.
I am seriously considering on giving up on so called "flagships" and instead run a cheap bread and butter smartphone that does everything I need and want, and if I plan on shooting some good photos just carry around an ultra pocketable mini camera such as Canon Gx7iii or one of the Sony Rx100 models, all if which easily fit into a jeans pocket.
drajitshnew - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Consumers have to accept that micro SD cards are dying out. The newer micro SD express standard has been out for some time, has connectors available from at least amphenol, and has support from WD. But not even Sony Xperia supports it. There is nothing we can do about it.As for the 3.5 mm Jack, it actually provides SUPERIOR audio quality than USB -C Analog audio (the dongle type) because the Analog signal is transmitted by pins in close proximity to those carrying high frequency and high power signals. And if the signal is being output like that it is actually misleading to call it a 32 bit 192KHz audio, or something similar.
But as I said I seriously am starting to think that I made a mistake in buying a fringe model with a 3.5mm audio but botched call management.
drajitshnew - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
The hyped audio advantages of USB-C only come into play if you output digital audio to an external high quality DAC. But that adds bulk and COST disadvantages. Also, most midrange phones have USB 2.0flyingpants265 - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Hard to beat the Poco X3 Pro for the price...BillyBeane - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Will be compatible with any US carriers after the 2g/3g shutdown? Does it do VoLTE? What Frequency bands is it compatible with?docola - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
It's a deal killer for ANY phone that is chinese for me.Xiaomi etc has confirmed our suspicions when all kinds of data
was found to be sent to odd russian and chinese servers.
Too bad because they make great phones (xiaomi) at cheap prices.
Its selling your soul to the spy devils. No thank you.
flyingpants265 - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
Xiaomis are basically sold at cost. For $270 USD or whatever for the pro model, you can't really go wrong! That's cheaper than the old Nexus 4, Nexus 5, OnePlus One. Half the price of a Samsung Galaxy S3 on release.I'm flashing AOSP on mine. But of course that wouldn't change anything that might be contained inside the chips.
drajitshnew - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
Kudos to @Andrei for b introducing browser based web benchmarks. The blacklisting and whitelisting shenanigans are seriously impairing the utility of PC mark.@dotjaz recently got a fresh perspective on the utility of software updates. Realme x7max [? Realme GT 5G] got bricked twice, before they figured that it was being caused by a software update. I was also advised and did a factory reset [unsuccessful] because my calls don't appear on the screen -- seriously.
As a reference Microsoft has done an absolutely amazing job with the technology and support in Windows 10. But it has got more brickbats for BSODs and bricking from them same updates.
flyingpants265 - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
What on earth? Windows 10 is one of the worst pieces of software ever made.nicolaim - Friday, July 30, 2021 - link
No good software update policy?No wireless charging?
LOL
s.yu - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
The processing isn't very consistent across modules, and, perhaps surprisingly, the main looks worse than the UWA zoomed in. At default mag. though the main looks competitive.ottonis - Sunday, August 1, 2021 - link
Once again I have to express my admiration for Andre's terrific Smartphone reviews. They may not cover each and every aspect of the phone but when they address certain aspects they do it with unprecedented depth, precision and technical expertise that easily surpasses the vast majority of smartphone reviews on the internet.Thanks for the terrific work, reading your reviews is pure joy!!
Skiprudder - Thursday, August 5, 2021 - link
I'm not sure you should be recommending any ZTE devices for US consumers right now. The US government has banned all government employees and contractors from using ZTE phones because of concerns about Chinese government involvement and investment in the company and the potential for spyware (software and hardware.) The US government has also moved to ban any ZTE equipment from installation in cellular and other networks for the same reason.This means that over 9 million US consumers are directly barred from using this phone by their employer. If Anandtech wanted to explore some of these security concerns in more detail, that would be very cool, but I think you have to warn folks when reviewing a device like this.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-fcc-votes-la...
https://insidedefense.com/insider/dod-releases-int...
DuranArturoLucio - Thursday, August 26, 2021 - link
Today, we’re taking a closer look at a somewhat particular device, the new ZTE A: and surprisingly enough I mean that in every sense of the word. Normally when you hear “ZTE” or “Ultra Review” your eyes cross and all hope is lost; but this time there is something curiously unique about the phone that has me hooked before I even picked it up to take for a spin. The title gives it away: it has an ultra-bright screen. We can always discuss them on https://spyphoneapp.net/ my website. It's really easy. This interesting detail could be part of what draws so many people in but by far my favorite feature is its special keyboard with built-in Android Functions keys (peevee - Saturday, September 11, 2021 - link
Top-of-the-line chipset.Rubber body (so no extra case would be required).
Removable/replaceable high-capacity battery.
3.5mm jack.
Energy-efficient screen.
Security updates for 4 years+.
Is it really that much to ask?