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Stock Android-like Axon 7 Oreo update now in testing in the US

ZTE is now testing the Axon 7 Oreo update, complete with "Stock+ UI," in the US.
By
January 22, 2018
TL;DR
  • The Axon 7 has been spotted running Android 8.0 Oreo in the US.
  • It appears that the interface provides the stock Android-like experience users were expecting.
  • The full software rollout is planned for this April.

The Axon 7 is one of the most highly regarded devices the company has ever made. While we wait for a sequel (that has apparently been confirmed) we also have the devices Oreo update to look forward to.

This was announced in December and it’s expected to arrive in its full form this April (though we don’t know if that’s for the US or elsewhere). According to a recent comment posted in the ZTE community forums (via XDA), the company is now testing Android Oreo for the Axon 7 in the US.

The comment included a supposed photo of the new software (seen above), which looks like it will deliver the previously touted stock Android-like experience. ZTE is calling its new skin “Stock+” and we’re expecting it to be very similar to a stock Android ROM with only a handful of additional ZTE features.

What’s also interesting is that ZTE has given the LineageOS ROM devs access to the pre-release Axon 7 firmware, so they can get a head start at developing LineageOS 15 for it.

This is a rare move in the business of smartphone OS development—an OEM actively supporting the use of a system it didn’t create and can’t monetize. So it’s good form from ZTE, and it looks like the Axon 7—which launched with Android Marshmallow—is going to go out on a high note. Give us your thoughts on the developments in the comments.