ZTE Axon Elite

ZTE has taken security to the next level with the Axon Elite, a 4G phablet you can unlock with your eyes, voice or finger.

Design

The design is going to appeal to some people, though others will dislike it. In our opinion, it’s certainly fancy-looking but ZTE seems to be trying a little too hard to impress – the extra detail stretches even to the volume rocker. If you like to be the centre of attention, then this is definitely the phone for you.

It’s made with sturdy-feeling and premium-looking aluminium, but has fake leather stitched portions at the top and bottom on the rear. These serve a practical purpose – it’s here that the antennas are housed, and remove the need for those lines we’re used to seeing on the side of metal phones to improve signal – but detract from the phone’s overall design and premium feel.

It’s a bit on the chunky side, at 9.3mm, and a large 5.5in screen and front-facing speaker grilles on the top and bottom add to the height. The ZTE feels good in one hand, but at times you will likely find yourself needing to use two.

Mi-Pop is a software feature that places a little widget on the screen that can make controlling the phone in a single hand much easier. You get quick access to a back button, wherever you like on the screen, or you can tap and hold to access home, recents and options shortcuts.

The screen is a standout feature, a 5.5in full-HD (1920x1080 pixels) panel with 401ppi pixel density. It’s very bright, clear, with punchy colours. Viewing angles are good, too, we just wish the glass sat flush with the metal frame top and bottom. At least the curved display is less likely to chip).

Our review sample came in a muted colour, which ZTE calls Ion Gold. What you think of this is down to your personal preferences, but it follows in the steps of several recent flagship smartphones that now offer a gold colour option.

The rear cover isn’t removable, and nor is the battery. It has some interesting features, though, with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner (this is in addition to the eye-unlock