ZTE has been relatively quiet since Mobile World Congress, and although we’ve been plenty busy with other manufacturers, you start to wonder where the others disappeared to. Well, ZTE is back with a bang and an awesome upcoming smartphone dubbed the Axon 7.

The 5.5″ Axon 7 aims to be a powerhouse device, and will cost under $500 for this impressive set of specs. Add in the fact that this features a premium, all-metal design, and was part of a collaboration with BMW Group’s Designworks, and you’ve got a stunner on your hands.

Specs:

Screen: 5.5-inch WQHD AMOLED

Camera: 20 MP, f/1.8, phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual-LED (dual tone) flash

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820

Battery: Li-Ion 3250mAh with Quick Charge 3.0

Dimensions: 151.8 x 75 x 8.7 mm

Weight: 185 g

RAM: 4GB/6GB

Storage: 64GB/128GB

Colors: Ion Gold, Quartz Gray

This device will be one of the first mobile phones with built-in Google Daydream support for an all-new Virtual Reality experience once Android N is released later this year. Speaking of VR, ZTE has introduced a new VR headset to the market that is expected to launch alongside the Axon 7, but pricing for this headset has yet to be revealed.

The Axon 7 is also equipped with a fingerprint scanner said to be “The industry’s most accurate and quickest fingerprint scanner.” Additionally, the Axon 7 includes two dedicated AKM HiFi audio chipsets to help provide you with the absolute best sound that will put it head to head with the BoomSound speakers found in the HTC 10 .

One extra bonus that ZTE is throwing in with the Axon 7, as it has with previous devices, is Axon Passport 2.0. This gives your new device a 2-year warranty that will give you a brand new phone if ANYTHING happens to it. Regardless of whether its lost, stolen, broken or anything else, Axon Passport will replace the device at no charge for 2-years from the purchase date.

The Axon 7 will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile at launch later this year, with the possibility of a Sprint and Verizon variant coming in the future. At launch, the device will be available in China and other regions with US pre-orders starting today via ZTE’s online store.

We will have more information on the ZTE Axon 7 and its VR counterpart as we inch closer to the official launch of the device. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled if you want to learn more about it.