ZTE Axon 11 5G launched: Why pay a premium for 5G?

ZTE launched the Axon 10 Pro 5G last year, marking its first foray into next-generation connectivity. It’s now back with another 5G handset, but the Axon 11 5G isn’t quite a flagship like its predecessor.

The new phone sports an upper mid-range Snapdragon 765G chipset rather than 2020’s Snapdragon 865 flagship silicon. Nevertheless, the manufacturer has you covered with 6GB to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB to 256GB of expandable storage.

ZTE hasn’t clarified whether the Axon 11 5G supports both mmWave and sub-6Ghz 5G networks, but China only has the latter right now. So we have to assume that it’s only offering sub-6Ghz at the moment. Still, you can count on a 4,000mAh battery and Quick Charge 4+ to keep you going.

What else does ZTE Axon 11 5G offer?

The new phone delivers a quad rear camera setup, but it’s not quite as impressive as the Axon 10 Pro. This setup features a 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide snapper, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro camera. The main casualty here is the lack of a telephoto shooter, while the ultra-wide camera has a much lower resolution than the 2019 flagship too. Otherwise, a 20MP camera in a waterdrop notch handles your selfies.

ZTE is also touting the phone’s video capabilities, which include 4K/60fps recording, real-time HDR for video, and video beauty options. For what it’s worth, the former in particular is virtually unheard of in the mid-range segment.

Other noteworthy specs include a 6.47-inch FHD+ OLED screen (presumably 60Hz), in-display fingerprint sensor, and MiFavor 10 UI atop Android 10. Just don’t expect a 3.5mm port, unfortunately.

The ZTE Axon 11 5G is available for pre-order in China today, starting at 2,698 yuan (~$379). We’ve contacted the company for clarification on its 5G capabilities and wider availability and will update the article when they get back to us.