Update 1 (5/10/19 @ 8:02 PM ET): ZTE has started rolling out software version 1.3B04 based on Android 8.0 Oreo with the April 2019 security patches, starting in Germany. The update is said to also bring back support for Google Daydream VR.
Chinese electronics brand ZTE has a respectable presence in Europe and Asia because of the range of affordable smartphones that they release. Back in 2016, they released a smartphone that got the particular attention of smartphone enthusiasts: the ZTE Axon 7. The Axon 7 directly competed against the OnePlus 3/3T among enthusiasts with its front-facing dual stereo speakers, 1440p AMOLED screen, expandable storage, dual SIM-card support, and more. The phone originally ran Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, but it eventually got updated to Android Oreo.
ZTE released Android 8.0 Oreo for the Axon 7 in October of last year, but it came with some issues. Users on the XDA forums and Reddit pointed out numerous issues like overheating, the lack of Google Daydream VR support, and more. Recently, XDA Senior Member GodOfPsychos contacted an executive from ZTE Germany and got a response saying that support for the device is still ongoing and that, specifically, Daydream VR support would be brought back to the Axon 7. Later, we contacted this same executive, Qiting Guan, who confirmed that the news.
Unfortunately, we don't know when this update will be available, and what exactly what it will bring other than Google Daydream VR support. As I already mentioned, the Android Oreo update on the ZTE Axon 7 came with numerous issues. It would be nice if the developers at ZTE took the time to squash all those bugs and give users perhaps the device's final stable update. For users still holding onto the device, you can check out the Axon 7 forums on XDA below where you might stumble upon a couple of custom ROMs, kernels, and other mods to keep your device kicking.