ZTE new 2-screen phone is unveiled

In the dual mode, a user of ZTE's new Axon M smartphone can watch a television program or movie on one screen while answering email or ordering a pizza online on the other.

Or in the extended mode, the user will be able to stream, email and play games on a full 6.75-inch HD display that transforms the phone into a tablet-like device. The mirror mode will enable two users to sit across from each other and access the same content on one device - for example to play chess. That's the main feature of Axon M - two 5.2-inch screens.

ZTE, a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company, will market the phone exclusively with AT&T in the US starting next month for 30 monthly payments of $24.17 or about $725. ZTE has teamed up with China Telecom and JD.com to offer the phone to the mainland in 2018.

Cheng Lixin, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices, believes the new Axon M will make consumers "mobile revolutionaries".

"(This) is more than providing a smartphone. It's about providing a smartphone that will make your life easier," he said in New York on Tuesday when the phone was unveiled.

In addition to the two LCD displays, the Axon M will feature a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, Bluetooth 4.2, and dual speakers. A hinge on the phone allows the rear screen to flip forward and sit next to the main display.

According to Jeff Yee, vice-president of product marketing and strategy at ZTE Mobile Devices, consumers become frustrated when they can't access more than one app at a time like when they are in email and want to look at their calendar or watching a movie or television program and want to comment on social media like Facebook.

"This will appeal to consumers who want to multitask, which means you get things done faster and have more free time," said Yee.

Yee doesn't anticipate masses of iPhone users trading in for the Axon M. "It's a big leap for someone to go from the iPhone ecosystem to the Android ecosystem. [Trading in] would be more natural for someone from Android," he said.

Hanlin Hu, vice-president with JD.com, said China's second leading e-commerce concern behind Alibaba is delighted to extend its partnership with ZTE to the Axon M.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com