ZTE Axon 9 Pro hands-on review

AOSP

With all the talk of picture optimization and advanced audio, one might naturally think the Axon 9 Pro will be loaded to the brim with software options, optimizers, and tweaks to match. On the contrary, ZTE is sticking to a clean Android experience. In fact, it's actually stock. Sure, it is Android 8.1 Oreo, so you won't be getting the latest and greatest Google has to offer. At least not initially.

The sole software addition ZTE seems to have made to Android is an AI-based system and runtime optimization algorithm. What it does is monitor user activity and pick up a behavioral pattern, which it then leverages to kill off unnecessary background apps and optimize running processes. We've definitely heard that before, so we'll remain a bit skeptical on the matter of magical background optimization promises that nobody can actually measure or verify.

Camera

The ZTE Axon 9 Pro's camera setup looks quite impressive on paper. It is a dual arrangement as is currently the trend. The main module is a Sony IMX363 sensor with 12MP resolution, 1.4 µm size and an impressively bright f/1.75 aperture lens in front. ZTE even went ahead and implemented OIS for smooth video. Dual Pixel autofocus is also part of the mix.

Accompanying it is a secondary 20MP snapper. It boasts an impressively wide 130-degree field of view, which is not something you see every day. It is also leveraged for portrait mode shots.

ZTE did add an extra layer of camera smarts on top here. There are a few AI-powered intelligent motion and facial recognition functions, as well as smart portrait compositions. The Axon 9 Pro is particularly good in following moving objects, using its Sports mode. It can also capture motion sequences in a single shot, a la motion photo.

Conclusion

The ZTE Axon 9 Pro will be available some time around the end of September with a retail price or about EUR 650. The phone should come out in Germany first, followed by other European markets and later on - in Asia. After the recent ZTE escapades in the US, we likely won't be seeing it Stateside any time soon, if at all.

ZTE never actually addressed the "Pro" part of the name either. Is it there just for emphasis and dramatic effect, or can we expect a regular version as well?

In any case, the Axon 9 Pro is a true 2018 flagship, by every standard. Fully decked-out and complete with at least a couple of interesting features and extras. We doubt that it will dramatically shift ZTE's current market standing in any way. But, for a small group of just the right kind of Android power users, it really does seem like the phone to beat.