The ZTE Axon 7 Max (model C2017) was a massive and ambitious phablet from 2016, designed for an immersive media experience. Its most unique and talked-about feature was a 6.0-inch glasses-free 3D display, which allowed users to view 3D content without special eyewear. Powered by the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and featuring a dual-camera system, it was a truly distinctive device. This guide provides the official China stock ROM, a low-level QFIL / EDL package, designed to unbrick a hard-bricked phone or perform a complete factory restore.
Important: This is an advanced unbricking procedure. This firmware is specifically for the ZTE Axon 7 Max (C2017) China variant and does not contain Google Play Services. The process will erase all data and requires your phone to be in EDL Mode (9008).
Quick Device Specs
- Device: ZTE Axon 7 Max (C2017)
- Release year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
- Display: 6.0″ IPS LCD, Full HD, Glasses-Free 3D
- Battery: 4100 mAh
- Original OS: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
- Key Features: Glasses-Free 3D Display, Dual Camera
Required Downloads
To flash a Qualcomm device in EDL mode, you will need the specific QPST suite and drivers. You can find the downloads for these in our main guide linked below.
- QPST & QFIL Flash Tool
- Qualcomm QDLoader USB Drivers
Unbrick Firmware (QFIL)
| Region / Carrier | Build | Type | Download | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | V1.0.0B20 | QFIL EDL Unbrick ROM | Download | Qualcomm |
How to Flash the Stock Firmware
Restoring a bricked ZTE Axon 7 Max requires a Windows PC and the QFIL tool. The process involves installing the correct Qualcomm drivers, forcing your phone into EDL Mode by holding Volume Up + Down and connecting the USB cable, loading the firehose programmer and XML files from the firmware, and then starting the download.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide with screenshots and tool download links, please follow our comprehensive pillar guide: How to Use QFIL to Flash Qualcomm Devices.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for ZTE Axon 7 Max
- CRITICAL – China ROM / No Google Services: This is an official ROM for the Chinese market. It does not include Google Play Services or the Google Play Store and will have Chinese apps and services. This ROM is best suited for restoring a Chinese-variant device.
- “No Port Available” / Driver Issues: If QFIL doesn’t see the “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” port, your drivers are not installed correctly. You must disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows before running the driver installer. Reboot your PC after installation and try again.
- Entering EDL Mode: Ensure the phone is completely powered off. Press and hold both Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. While holding them, plug the USB cable into the phone. The screen will stay black, but your PC should make a sound, and the port will appear in QFIL.
- 3D Display Functionality: The glasses-free 3D effect is dependent on specific software and content. After flashing this stock ROM, the 3D functionality will be restored, but it will only work with compatible 3D videos and images found on dedicated platforms.
FAQs
Q1. What is a QFIL / EDL firmware?
QFIL (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader) is a tool used to flash firmware in EDL (Emergency Download) mode. This is a very low-level mode, a step below fastboot, designed to recover Qualcomm devices from a “hard brick” state where they are otherwise unresponsive.
Q2. What is the difference between the Axon 7 and the Axon 7 Max?
The Axon 7 was the smaller, more powerful flagship with a 5.5-inch 2K AMOLED screen and a Snapdragon 820 processor. The Axon 7 Max (`C2017`) was the larger phablet with a 6.0-inch 1080p glasses-free 3D screen and a Snapdragon 625 processor.
Q3. Will this process erase my data?
Yes. A QFIL flash is a complete factory restore that erases all user data from the phone’s internal storage.
