ZTE decides to crowdsource its Project CSX device
In 2017, Chinese hardware manufacturer ZTE intends to unveil a forum-designed handset dubbed Project CSX. Launched at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) overnight, the forum will be known as Z-Community.
The company said that in return for helping with the forum, users will be given "exclusive access to events, rewards, and products".
"In 2015, we proved we put consumers at the heart of everything we designed, built, and delivered through the Axon smartphone series. We worked hard, persevered, and strove for greatness as defined by consumers and users," said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE US.
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"In 2016, we are taking that approach to a new level, and will look to Z-Community for more than improving upon what ZTE has already done, but how we develop products and services moving forward."
At the same time, the company also launched a pair of Qualcomm MSM8909, Android Lollipop-based devices.
The 5-inch Avid Plus, available for $115, will arrive on January 20 on T-Mobile and at a later time on MetroPCS. Its display is a mere 480x854 pixels, has 1GB of memory, and has 8GB of storage that is expandable via a microSD slot to up to 32GB.
At 5.5 inches, the Grand X 3 will cost $130, and is made up of a 1280x720 display, 2GB of memory, and 16GB of storage that can be augmented with a 64GB microSD card. The device will arrive soon, the company said, on Cricket wireless.
ZTE said it now has 20 million users in the United States.
The Chinese hardware manufacturer has launched a spate of Axon devices in recent months. In October it launched the 64GB Axon Pro and Axon Mini. This was followed by the Axon Max, which was launched just before the end of the year.
Last year, the company launched its 6- to 24-month lease-to-own program, and followed up overnight by extending its Passport warranty program to include unlimited out-of-warranty repairs and $100 credit for consumers upgrading from an unlocked ZTE device to an Axon phone.
"We are confident in the performance and quality of our Axon smartphone series and our ability in being there for consumers when repairs need to be made outside of a standard warranty," Cheng said.