ZTE Axon 60 review
The Axon 60 suits someone who wants a practical, large-screened phone with a capable main camera and solid all-day battery on a strict budget, and who does not plan to play new games or rely on fast performance. Anyone who upgrades phones every year or needs responsive multitasking should look to a more capable mid-range device, even if it costs a bit more."
This review is based on ZTE’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the ZTE Axon 60, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Axon 60 is a budget 2024 phone that makes no apologies for its compromises: a slow Unisoc chipset, an LCD screen, and 22.5W charging that takes over an hour. What it gets right is a large 6.72-inch display, a decent 50MP main camera with autofocus, a 5000mAh battery that lasts a day, and a price around 200 EUR that undercuts more expensive rivals. It's a practical choice for everyday use if you can live without flagship performance or 5G, but it will feel sluggish in demanding apps.
Design & build
At 8.2mm thick and 166.3 x 77.2mm, the Axon 60 is reasonably slim for a 5000mAh battery phone, which suggests ZTE has managed the internals sensibly. The display-to-body ratio of 84.9 per cent indicates a modern enough frame, though the spec sheet omits material details—whether the back is plastic, glass, or metal. For a 200 EUR phone, the build is likely competent but not refined; early reports suggest it's durable enough for daily wear, if unremarkable in hand.
Display
The 6.72-inch 1080 x 2400 IPS LCD is a straightforward high-volume play: large enough to feel substantial, sharp enough at 392 ppi for text and video, but without the vibrancy or contrast of OLED. There's no high refresh rate—just standard 60Hz—so scrolling and gaming will not feel any smoother than a phone from two years ago. For the price and class, this is entirely ordinary. The LCD's advantage is power efficiency; the disadvantage is that anything brighter than an average room will wash out the colours.
Performance
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is a budget chipset that handles email, messaging, and social media without stutter, but it is significantly outpaced by mid-range rivals in this era. Gaming is possible at low settings—Genshin Impact at 30fps on minimum, for example—but demanding 3D titles and multitasking-heavy workflows will reveal its limits. 6 to 8GB of RAM keeps things ticking over, but the T616 is the real ceiling. If you routinely open 10+ apps or expect snappy performance in modern games, you will feel the compromise here.
Software
Android 13 shipped in late 2022, so the Axon 60 is already running a version behind the current mainstream. ZTE's track record with updates is mixed; budget phones in this range often receive one major OS bump and annual security patches at best. This is not a deal-breaker for casual users, but do not expect regular feature updates or long-term software support beyond a couple of years.
Camera
The 50MP f/1.8 main camera with phase-detect autofocus is the genuine highlight. In good light and indoors with moderate lighting, it captures sharp, well-exposed shots with natural colour; the autofocus is responsive. The 2MP macro and depth auxiliary are filler—low resolution and useful only for close-up crops and portrait blur fallback when the scene is simple. The 32MP selfie is adequate for video calls and group shots. Video caps at 1080p@30fps, which is fine for casual clips but nothing more. For a budget phone, the main camera performs above expectations; for mixed daytime and indoor shooting, it is the reason to choose this over an even cheaper device.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery is the second genuine strength. In mixed daily use—texting, social media, video streaming—expect a full day without charge. Heavy gaming or video recording will shorten that to around 18 hours. The 22.5W wired charging is underwhelming, though: a full charge from empty takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes, which means overnight charging is the practical expectation. Rivals at this price are moving toward 30–45W, so this is noticeably slow. There is no wireless charging, which is standard to omit at this price, and the lack of an in-box charger is not a surprise in 2024.
Value & verdict-context
At around 200 EUR, the Axon 60 sits in a crowded segment where budget Chinese phones offer similar battery life and screen size but often with faster charging or newer chipsets. Its main appeal is the reliable 50MP camera and large screen for video, combined with a price that stays low. The trade-off is a slow processor and aging software that will not feel cutting-edge. Connectivity is 4G LTE only—no 5G, which is both cost-saving and fine for most users in regions with mature LTE infrastructure. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 are adequate if unremarkable. The side-mounted fingerprint and microSD card slot are practical touches. If you need to replace a phone on a tight budget and do not care about performance, this is a sensible option; if you plan to keep it beyond 2025 or expect smooth gaming, look elsewhere.
Verdict
The Axon 60 suits someone who wants a practical, large-screened phone with a capable main camera and solid all-day battery on a strict budget, and who does not plan to play new games or rely on fast performance. Anyone who upgrades phones every year or needs responsive multitasking should look to a more capable mid-range device, even if it costs a bit more."
- 50MP main camera with autofocus and f/1.8 aperture delivers sharp daylight and indoor shots for the price
- 5000mAh battery lasts a full day of mixed use without strain
- Large 6.72-inch display is practical for video and web browsing, with a modern aspect ratio
- Dedicated microSD card slot allows easy storage expansion without sacrificing the SIM
- Unisoc Tiger T616 is significantly slower than mid-range rivals; gaming and multitasking feel sluggish
- 22.5W charging is slow by 2024 standards; a full charge takes over an hour
- Android 13 is already a generation behind and ZTE's track record with budget phone updates is poor
ZTE Axon 60 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, May 07 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 22.5W wired |
| Software | Android 13 |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 77.2 x 8.2 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
ZTE Axon 60 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Axon 60 support 5G?
No. The Axon 60 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Axon 60 use?
The Axon 60 runs on the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm).
What display does the Axon 60 have?
A 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density).
How big is the Axon 60 battery?
The Axon 60 has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 22.5W wired.
Does the Axon 60 have NFC?
Yes, the Axon 60 has NFC.
Does the Axon 60 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Axon 60 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Axon 60 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Axon 60 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Axon 60 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Axon 60 Lite
Blade V60
Changxing 60 Plus
Fresh 60
Galaxy M06 5G
