There was a time when Chinese brand ZTE was popular among smartphone enthusiasts. The ZTE Axon 7 went toe-to-toe with the OnePlus 3 as the best value flagship of 2016, but its successor, the 2018 ZTE Axon 9 Pro was seen as a disappointment by many Axon 7 users as the phone didn't have a QHD AMOLED display or a 3.5mm headphone jack. While the 2019 ZTE Axon 10 Pro also sadly lacks those two features, it does improve upon the camera hardware and also comes in an optional 5G model. We've now gathered sufficient evidence pointing toward French carrier Orange launching its own carrier-branded version of the 5G Axon 10 Pro. This upcoming smartphone will be called the Orange Neva Jet and it's expected to launch in 2020.

ZTE Axon 10 Pro Forums

Orange Neva Jet and the ZTE Axon 10 Pro

Earlier this year, French publication 01net reported seeing three 5G smartphones at Orange's Mobile World Congress booth: the 5G Samsung Galaxy S10, the Huawei Mate X, and an unnamed Orange-branded smartphone. This phone, according to 01net, is built by ZTE and is expected to cost around €600. (The 4G ZTE Axon 10 Pro retails for €599 in Germany.) The publication goes on to state that the phone won't be sold before 2020 because Orange has yet to deploy its 5G network. The publication was unable to confirm the phone's specifications, however.

Back in May, the Wi-Fi Alliance certified a "5G NR Multi-Mode Smart Phone" by ZTE with the model name Orange Neva Jet. A few days ago, we obtained the device's firmware thanks to XDA Recognized Developer deadman96385. According to the firmware, the Orange Neva Jet shares the same code-name ("poad"), the same chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 855), the same screen size (6.47"), the same software (MiFavor 9.1 based on Android 9 Pie), and even the same model name in some areas like the MMS user agent (ZTE_A2020G_Pro). They also both have their under-display fingerprint scanners in the same location on the display as well as other similarities like having the same wallpapers. I could go on and on with the similarities, but it's safe to say that this phone is simply a rebranded 5G Axon 10 Pro.

This wouldn't be ZTE's first partnership with Orange. ZTE previously manufactured the mid-range Orange Neva 80, a rebranded ZTE Blade V770, for the French carrier. The Neva Jet, however, will be a flagship smartphone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, Snapdragon X50 modem, 6.47" FHD+ AMOLED display, and triple rear cameras. A look at the Axon 10 Pro's specifications will tell you all you need to know about the Orange Neva Jet.

We don't have any information on the launch date for this Orange-branded 5G phone, but we'll keep an eye out on French media reports. I'm not sure if the phone will be sold at around €600 since the 5G Axon 10 Pro retails at €899, but it's possible that Orange may subsidize the phone's cost to get people onto its 5G plans.