ZTE Axon 60 Ultra: Possibly the most intriguing satellite/5G smartphone you (seriously) can't buy

The ZTE Axon series is back...sort of. Its maker has introduced it as its first ever mobile device that supports satellite connectivity - for calls as well as messages, no less.

The Axon 60 Ultra also supports 5G-A as well as 5G, which it can use at the same time as its new satellite tech for optimal "dual" signal strength at need. The smartphone also looks maximally up to date, with a round rear camera hump set into a rear panel finished with what looks like an exaggerated form of the OnePlus 12's Flowy Emerald colorway in black.

It houses 50MP main and 50MP ultrawide-angle sensors with a less prepossessing macro tertiary camera. On the other hand, ZTE has settled on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 2 chipset from 2023.

It drives a 6.78-inch display that, while made of 1.5K 120Hz OLED, gives no indication of integrating its OEM's long-established prowess with under-display camera (UDC) technology.

Then again, the Axon 60 Ultra could still score itself some wins on the retail market with its 80W-charging battery that is 6,000mAh and silicon-carbon to boot - if it were headed to general availability even in its native China, that is.

Unfortunately, however, ZTE has chosen to pitch this new and interesting handset at buyers in the public or corporate sectors only at its 2024 Cloud Network Ecosystem event. The fact that its software allows for inbuilt superuser and safe modes out of the box makes that all the more of a shame for enthusiasts everywhere.

The UDC-display Axon 40 Ultra remains available on Amazon, however.