ZTE Axon 20 5G review: unboxing and first impression

The Chinese manufacturer ZTE is actually the only one who has managed to bring a smartphone, the ZTE Axon 20 5G, with a front camera under the display onto the market. This is the future and we will certainly see this from other manufacturers in the near future.
In the following lines I first unpack the ZTE Axon 20 5G and report on my first impressions after about a week of use. A detailed review here TechnikNews will of course follow in the near future.
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ZTE Axon 20 5G unboxing
ZTE helped with the packaging Sam Falconer, an artist with a special interest in science. He created a total of four designs for the packaging and you can now see one of them in the picture below (Fig. 1). This is an envelope of the packaging that can be easily peeled off. Then the actual sales box appears (image 2), which is quite minimalist. The scope of delivery includes the smartphone at the top and below that the usual paper stuff, a SIM needle for the dual SIM slot, an adapter from USB-C to jack, a 30 watt power supply and a USB-C cable. In addition, ZTE also supplies a transparent silicone cover to protect the smartphone. That is definitely very commendable. Unfortunately, headphones are not included in the delivery despite the 3,5 mm jack connection.
- The actual box is still in a cover that can be easily removed. (Image: TechnikNews)
- Very minimalistic. (Image: TechnikNews)
- Headphones are unfortunately not included and very important: I have the Chinese version review, so a power supply for Chinese sockets. (Image: TechnikNews)
First impression of the ZTE Axon 20 5G
The first thing you notice is the enormous dimensions of the ZTE Axon 20 5G. I'm actually a fan of large smartphones, but already with the S20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro I found the sizes to be pretty borderline and the ZTE definitely goes one better here. It is extremely long and, above all, wide, which makes it very difficult to use one-handed operation. This is of course a matter of taste and if a smartphone can't be big enough for you, you will definitely get your money's worth here, but for me personally it's just a bit too much.
Otherwise I really like the device so far. The performance, the battery life and especially the display are really at a very high level and completely appropriate for the price of around 400 euros. It's amazing to be able to hold a smartphone with a camera under the display. For the first generation of this new technology, the whole thing is more than impressive. In everyday use, the area is almost never noticeable and the lower display resolution in the area of the front camera can only be determined with very bright backgrounds. The picture below (picture 2) shows this relatively well, even if it makes the camera look a little more blatant than in reality.
I have to take a closer look at the cameras over the next few days and compare them with other smartphones. You will find out this and much more in a few weeks in my detailed review here TechnikNews.
- The front looks very clean, although the chin could be a bit thinner. (Image: TechnikNews)
- The area of the front camera is particularly noticeable on white backgrounds. (Image: TechnikNews)
- The black color is very shiny. (Image: TechnikNews)