ZTE seeks more share for Axon smartphone

ZTE USA, the fourth-largest smartphone supplier in North America, is continuing its promotional campaign for the company's flagship Axon Pro mobile phone, which was launched in the US last summer.

On Dec 4, Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE North America, visited the company's mobile store outside Madison Square Garden where the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets were set to play in an NBA game. He said sales of the Axon Pro have been rising.

"We have sold a couple of hundred thousand phones (in the US) and we continue to expand distribution," Cheng said. "In October, we went into Canada with an agreement with Rogers Communications."

Cheng noted that the Axon Pro is made in China and designed in the US. Axon is a Google Android smartphone that ZTE believes is as upscale as the Apple iPhone 6 Plus or the LG G4 but costs less.

The Axon comes with dual cameras, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera that can film 1,080p video, and a 13-megapixel camera in the back. Along with manual, panoramic and sports shooting modes, it can record 4K HD, time-lapse and slow-motion videos.

Cheng said ZTE has distribution agreements with Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc to distribute many of its products. However, those agreements do not yet include the Axon.

"We believe the smartphone, and in our case that is the Axon, will be at the center of it all."

Cheng said the company is increasing its ties with the NBA.

"We started with the NBA in 2013, and we have seen our brand awareness increase," said Cheng.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 12/07/2015 page2)