We’ve been waiting to see who would be first, and when it comes to releasing the first commercially available smartphone with in-glass camera, ZTE has stolen the show.

The ZTE Axon 20 5G will be available to buy from December 21st, just in time for Christmas.

The price is still to be announced.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765+ Chipset with 5G, the 7.98mm thick phone is the first to do away with notches (and pop-up camera technology) and instead has an embedded 32-megapixel camera for front-facing photography.

The phone also comes with a 4,220mAh battery with 30W fast-charging (QC4+), 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage.

The quad-camera setup on the rear includes a 64+8+2+2MP configuration, with 8K video recording being possible at 15 frames-per-second.

Now that ZTE has kicked things off, I wonder who will be next?

Press Release

(Shenzhen, China – December 3rd, 2020) – ​ZTE is bringing for the first time its smartphone directly to global users, the World’s First Under-Display Camera smartphone, the Axon 20 5G​. This​ phone will be available globally in selected countries and regions from December 21st.

(The industry’s first true full display, reaching professional cinematic color standards and matched with DTS:X Ultra 3D sound for full-on entertainment.)

Back on September 1st, 2020, ZTE Corporation, a major international provider of telecommunications and consumer technology solutions for the mobile internet, unveiled the Axon 20 5G in China, the world’s first under-display camera smartphone, delivering the industry’s first true full display. The ZTE Axon 20 5G sets the first step to take it to the global market in several countries and regions, on December 21st.

The World’s First Under-Display Camera Powered by 5 Core Technologies

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smart terminals, ZTE has been committed to bringing breaking through technologies for the under-display camera. Through a focus on 5 core technologies, including special materials, dual-control chips, unique driver circuits, special pixel matrix, and its in-house selfie algorithm, ZTE managed to overcome numerous technical challenges through research and development to deliver an outstanding experience on the Axon 20 5G

To balance the performance of the display and the front camera, ZTE has adopted high transparency material that includes new organic and inorganic films, thereby improving the light input to the front camera.

Moreover, a built-in independent dual-control chip and integrated driver circuits have been employed to enable the color synchronization between the front camera and the conventional display. Besides, the unique driver circuit layout design and precision miniaturization components have been used to avoid the interference, and restrain the impact on the front camera.

In addition, ZTE has created a special matrix that can optimize pixels and improve the display consistency, thereby creating a more natural transition.

Finally, ZTE’s front-camera selfie algorithm has optimized the performance of the camera under several lighting conditions, and supported automatic dynamic range adjustment，hence the great improvement of the photo clarity and the image contrast.

A True Full Display Looks Much Better

ZTE has leveraged additional under-display technologies, including ambient light, sound, and fingerprint sensors to achieve a true full screen without any punch holes. The innovative light sensor can automatically adjust the screen brightness based on the environment, allowing the display to be seen clearly at any time.

The display reaches digital cinematic color stands thanks to its 6.92-inch OLED display, 10-bit color depth, and 100% coverage of DCI-P3 color gamut. The FHD+ resolution and OLED materials have made the display color clearer and more beautiful. By virtue of a length-width ratio of 20.5:9 and the DTS:X Ultra 3D sound, the device can deliver a cinematic experience with no visual obstacles.

Strengthened 5G Experiences with Super Antenna 2.0

The ZTE Axon 20 5G features upgraded antenna technology to ensure an ultra-fast 5G experience anytime and anywhere. ZTE’s Super Antenna 2.0 is a cutting-edge PDS antenna with a 360-degree surround integrated design and intelligent closed-loop tuning technology, which can improve network connection stability and download speed.

Moreover, 12 different antennas have been integrated into the outer surface of the middle frame, which are further away from the motherboard and internal components, thereby improving the signal connection quality, making it more stable and faster.

The ZTE Axon 20 5G ensures that call quality remains strong and consistent even when it would fail for others, such as having phone calls on high-speed railways, in elevators, underground garages, or other weak-signal environments.

On top of this, the device boasts intelligent network acceleration technology, which has increased the download rate by 30%, according to the test results at ZTE’s lab, and it intelligently avoids frequency bands with congested signals.

Integrated Functions for Video shooting and Editing

ZTE has made continuous efforts in improving the video functions of its smartphones to meet the creative needs of the younger generation in the 5G era.

The device features a 64MP super HD main camera that supports 4K high-resolution video at 60fps, super night scenes, video beauty and real-time HDR video in multiple lighting conditions. In addition, the main and wide-angle lenses support image stabilization, which helps to shoot videos of higher quality.

Moreover, the camera software features 6 intelligent templates to produce stylized videos, which can intelligently match different styles of music with special transition effects. In addition, the unique full-screen film recording mode, with a ratio under 20.5:9, can support portrait bokeh and beauty mode, providing further video customizations.

Excellent Performance for Day to Day Experiences

Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 765G mobile platform, the ZTE Axon 20 5G features a new-generation full-scenario system optimization engine. Underpinned by the engine, the startup speed of most frequently used apps can be increased by 40% while the gaming and video experiences have also been improved, according to the test results at ZTE’s lab.

In addition, the latest MiFavor 10.5 UI system supports movie-level screen optimization and smart screen projection while the large 4,220mAh battery can support 30W Quick Charging and has a 5G power saving mode that improves battery life by 35%.

The device is also equipped with 9 temperature sensors to precisely detect the device’s internal temperature. The heat dissipation capabilities are improved through a triple level intelligent heat dissipation system, which includes liquid cooling circulation, carbon nanofiber thermal pad, and graphite material. Thus it will always remain cool during power intense activities such as playing games, viewing short videos, or watching movies.

Design Comes First

With the thickness of only 7.98mm, and the ultra-thin design of double shoulder lines, the Axon 20 5G has inherited the sleek style of the ZTE Axon series.

The 3D curved glass on the back contains ten layers of structural stacks, which have been carefully crafted with 36 different processes to create a unique and gorgeous texture.

In addition, ZTE has collaborated with the well-recognized British illustrator, Sam Falconer, to create a limited edition packaging for the ZTE Axon 20 5G (only the Chinese version). This design pays tribute to some of the most leading scientists of history such as Albert Einstein, to creatively highlight how technology can bring more possibilities to people’s lives.

Availability

The ZTE Axon 20 5G will be available on the official ZTE website starting from December 21st in the following countries and regions: come to the following markets:

United Kingdom, EU, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

The final price will be revealed in the official website soon.

To better bond with early adopters , ZTE also launched a programme called “New Vision Club”. Users can join to be among the first people to get the Axon 20 5G with exclusive rewards and benefits. To join the programme, please go to this ​link​.

ZTE Press Release, December 3rd 2020