Just saw this on a search. The Axon 7 Mini does have a separate audio DAC/Amp Chip. No hands on listening via earphones from any reviewer yet.
Quote " ..The Axon 7 Mini's audio reproduction is markedly improved, believe it or not, over the Axon 7’s — an unintended benefit of a new sound chip, the AKM 4962, which consolidates the the Axon 7’s two separate audio processors (a AKM 4961 DAC and AKM 4490 ADC) into one. Incredibly, ZTE said the Axon 7 Mini is louder than its predecessor — a claim we can back up after cranking up its volume during a loud demo video. And the level of detail is impressive, besides: the bass is deep but not boomy, the highs are clean and crisp, and voices come through loud and clear. It’s a stellar listening experience across the board."