US Axon 7: Initial Thoughts

[markwebb]

Received today and packaging is excellent which includes earphones and clear case.

Display is quite nice and sound is loud though maybe not as full as earlier HTC models.

Not crazy about their skin so I switched to Nova.

Connects to VZW LTE. Radio appears weaker than Nexus6p and s7edge and appears to struggle in weaker reception areas.

Decent camera.

Speedy though not all of my apps are installed.

Connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth instantly.

Fingerprint scanner exceedingly fast.

Keep getting system update screen status though there aren't any.

Still putting it through its paces.

Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk

 

[Prozart]

If you don't mind answering a quick question for me, I heard the capacitive buttons don't light up? So there's always a circle and two dots even when the display is off? I really like devices that have clean faces, it's actually one of the reasons, crazy as it sounds, I want to change my OnePlus 3. I hate the fingerprint scanner being on the front. I was excited when I first saw the Axon 7 with a nice minimalist face, but they changed it for the U.S. release. =/

 

[markwebb]

Correct about buttons; don't light up which doesn't bother me.


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[tyrich30]

Hey Mark
Can you do a speed test on VZW?

 

[markwebb]

When I get home: I work in a notoriously weak VZW reception area hence I noticed this phone struggles more than the others. I do have a TMO sim I could try add well since TMO is far better in my area.


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[psn1819]

Hey I just received mine.... Has anyone had a issue with the GPS... I can't seem to be able to lock on any location... Not with Pokemon go or Google Maps

 

[bhazard451]

GPS locks, it just takes a little longer than usual at times.

I like this phone better than my HTC 10. I can actually see the screen while wearing sunglasses now. Reception does seem a little weaker than the HTC 10, but bluetooth and wifi are better/quicker seeking/longer distance on the 7.

 

[markwebb]

TMO average speed: 25/5

I'll test vzw in about a half hour when in better reception area and then Wi-Fi when home.

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[Chevyguy85]

GPS locks, it just takes a little longer than usual at times.

I like this phone better than my HTC 10. I can actually see the screen while wearing sunglasses now. Reception does seem a little weaker than the HTC 10, but bluetooth and wifi are better/quicker seeking/longer distance on the 7.

When you say see the screen with sunglasses are you referring to wearing polarized sunglasses and having the phone in landscape? That would be an improvement over my Find 7a right there.

 

[tyrich30]

TMO average speed: 25/5

I'll test vzw in about a half hour when in better reception area and then Wi-Fi when home.

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Ok, Thanks

 

[MoopusMaximus]

TMO average speed: 25/5

I'll test vzw in about a half hour when in better reception area and then Wi-Fi when home.

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Hey bud. You said the Verizon coverage struggles in compared to other VZW devices. I know that reception bars can be highly inconsistent between other phones. Perhaps you should check the dBm measurements that are available under About Phone > Status to check the dBm. The full bands are there for VZW so I'm curious to see. Thanks.

 

[markwebb]

Wow vzw is all over the place but fair warning my area is not really good:
20/35
7-10/4-6
10-20/5-10

Very unpredictable in my area.

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[MoopusMaximus]

Wow vzw is all over the place but fair warning my area is not really good:
20/35
7-10/4-6
10-20/5-10

Very unpredictable in my area.

Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk

May you report the dBm in comparison to other VZW phones? :good:

 

[markwebb]

Hey bud. You said the Verizon coverage struggles in compared to other VZW devices. I know that reception bars can be highly inconsistent between other phones. Perhaps you should check the dBm measurements that are available under About Phone > Status to check the dBm. The full bands are there for VZW so I'm curious to see. Thanks.

I said I live and work in an area with typically weak reception and that it's struggles more so than other phones that I own. however all of my phones struggle with VZW here. I did check -102 dbm

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[MoopusMaximus]

I said I live and work in an area with typically weak reception and that it's struggles more so than other phones that I own. however all of my phones struggle with VZW here. I did check -102 dbm

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Ok, thanks a lot man. I didn't mean to sound annoying. I am wondering how this fares to your other VZW phones. I have Verizon myself and I hope I don't lose some reception if I buy this phone.

 

[tele_jas]

On At&t
Pros & cons (all mixed in here)
No GPS issues, works fine and fast for me
Sound is on par with, and maybe a little better than my Moto X Pure. Slightly fuller and it can get louder without any crackling/distortion
Signal on At&t appears weaker, but my speedtest LTE readings are as good or better than my Nexus 6P with 24 - 25mb down, 12-15mb up.
Charging on a computer is really slow! My Moto X Pure and even Nexus 6p both charged faster.
Don't like the fact you have to tap the lockscreen after you double tap it to swipe to open it
Don't like the notification thingy on the lockscreen you have to touch to see your notifications either...Hopefully that'll go away in an update, or the option to turn it off.
Someone told me there was a dark theme, but I don't see it? Not a deal breaker for me though.
Hate the squishy "stock" Android emoji's.... But once again, not a deal breaker for me.

**On a side note, I ruined 2 screen protectors and the Skinomi was too big, so it's going back. With the slightly curved screen, you have to get it dead center or it won't attach to the edges too well. - The two ruined ones are partially my fault, but these are the exact same issues I had with the Moto X Pure and it's slightly curved screen.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this phone!

 

[markwebb]

OK better Vzw area seated:
49/29
Go figure!

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[markwebb]

Okay, here is an oddity. If I am on Verizon and then switch to Wi-Fi and back to Verizon there is no connection. I have to reboot the phone in order for it to recognize Verizon. I tried airplane mode and shutting off data but always had to reboot.

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[redeyss]

On At&t
Pros & cons (all mixed in here)
No GPS issues, works fine and fast for me
Sound is on par with, and maybe a little better than my Moto X Pure. Slightly fuller and it can get louder without any crackling/distortion
Signal on At&t appears weaker, but my speedtest LTE readings are as good or better than my Nexus 6P with 24 - 25mb down, 12-15mb up.
Charging on a computer is really slow! My Moto X Pure and even Nexus 6p both charged faster.
Don't like the fact you have to tap the lockscreen after you double tap it to swipe to open it
Don't like the notification thingy on the lockscreen you have to touch to see your notifications either...Hopefully that'll go away in an update, or the option to turn it off.
Someone told me there was a dark theme, but I don't see it? Not a deal breaker for me though.
Hate the squishy "stock" Android emoji's.... But once again, not a deal breaker for me.

**On a side note, I ruined 2 screen protectors and the Skinomi was too big, so it's going back. With the slightly curved screen, you have to get it dead center or it won't attach to the edges too well. - The two ruined ones are partially my fault, but these are the exact same issues I had with the Moto X Pure and it's slightly curved screen.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this phone!

Yeah we gotta find the dark theme, too much white on this great amoled screen! I need root for layers too! I really like this phone but it's going back if bootloader isn't unlocked soon.

I did a speed test this morning and got 75/15 down/up on at&t. Phone has been nice and snappy. I totally agree about your issues, why didn't they do ambient display and ditch that icon you have to push to peek at notifications?

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[lisbon2004]

Hey everyone, congratulations with your purchase!!!
this phone really brings the upgrade urge back (i have Note 4 now).

does it have a netmonitor (like 0011 in samsung) to see signal state, available bandwidth in mhz, and if there's any carrier aggregation?

can you limit the phone to use only specific bands, like:
2G no bands (prohibited)
3G 2100 for calls
4G 2600/1800 for internet (prohibiting power-hungry and low-speed band 800)
this easily doubles, or triples, the uptime on a single charge (for N910F).

samsung's example of such menu is here:

i'm not sure for Axon 7 the savings will be as notable as for Note 4 (as new snapdragon and modem are more power efficient), but why not try?

another question is:
is Axon 7 Cat.6 (300mbit 2CA), or Cat.9 (450mbit 3CA)?
the new snapdragon has a cat.9 modem, right?