[ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers] privatedoodle:
Just had a chat with a ZTE rep. Sounds like they have just about as much info as we do. Transcript follows:

5/4/2018 Live Assistance

Welcome

Live Help

Clairen P.: “Thank you for contacting ZTE’s Chat customer service, we appreciate your business and value our relationship. At the end of this session you will receive a brief three question satisfaction survey on the support you received. Please take the time to provide your feedback on your experience today. Thank you.”

Me: Hi!

Clairen P.: Hi, Mark, this is Claire.

Clairen P.: I see you have a question about updates, correct?

Me: Hi Claire. Yes, I was hoping my Axon 7 would be receiving an update to Oreo. I know it was in Beta a few months ago, but it looks like the Beta program is closed and now the ZTE update servers are down

Me: I was just wondering if you could give me any information on what to expect!

Clairen P.: I see you are interested in the Oreo update for your Axon 7, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Clairen P.: It's still in beta testing and we haven't been told when it will be release. I do apologize for your frustration.

Clairen P.: As far as the update servers go, we appreciate your concern, and we are currently working on a solution.

Me: Yes, it's very frustrating. And with the news about sanctions, ZTE being banned from selling in the USA, etc, I'm concerned we'll never see any more updates!

Clairen P.: I agree!

Clairen P.: I recommend you check out our Z Community forum, that would be where you would find out first. https://community.zteusa.com.

Me: Is there any way to be added to the beta program?

Clairen P.: I apologize, it has been closed for quite some time.

Me: I was a beta tester for Nougat, and I thought I'd be invited to join the Oreo program

Clairen P.: I don't know how they choose beta testers, I wish I could help you with that, Mark!

Clairen P.: That must be very frustrating for you.

Me: Yeah. I'm tempted to unlock the phone and install some unofficial software - but I don't want to lose my warranty!

Clairen P.: I agree with you on that! I wouldn't either!

Me: Do you have any idea when the official Oreo is coming?

Clairen P.: The Passport 2 Warranty is such a great deal! We haven't been told when the official Oreo is coming, we find out from

Z Community ourselves.

Me: But you're pretty sure we'll get it someday?

Clairen P.: I apologize for the inconvenience and the frustration you're experiencing, Mark. I don't know, we haven't been told.

Me: Ok. Thanks for talking with me, even if there's no news to share.

Clairen P.: My pleasure! Anything else I can help you with, Mark?

Me: Hope y'all are doing okay! I'm sure it's a confusing time to work for ZTE!

Clairen P.: At the end of the chat, I'd appreciate it if you would take a quick 3 question survey about your experience today. The survey will begin when you disconnect from our chat. Thank you!

Clairen P.: We're doing fine, and we're quite busy. It's pretty normal here.

Clairen P.: I hope we get a resolution soon!

Clairen P.: At the end of the chat, I'd appreciate it if you would take a quick 3 question survey about your experience today. The survey will begin when you disconnect from our chat. Thank you!

Me: Yep, no problem. Have a good one!

You have disconnected.