ZTE A41 Ultra vs Honor Magic4 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Power

Both the ZTE A41 Ultra and the Honor Magic4 Pro represent attempts to deliver a premium Android experience powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery technology and charging speeds, creating a clear distinction for potential buyers. This comparison will dissect these differences, alongside performance and display characteristics, to determine which device offers the most compelling package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing ultimate charging convenience and a slightly longer endurance rating, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the clear winner. Its 100W wired and wireless charging capabilities drastically reduce downtime. However, the ZTE A41 Ultra remains a strong contender, offering a similar performance profile at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE A41 Ultra Honor Magic4 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced20222022, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, April 09
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions161.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm or 9.2 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)209 g / 215 g (7.37 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Aluminosilicate glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~93.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 12, Magic UI 6
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", AF 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom TOF 3D (depth)
VideoYes4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single44 MP, (wide)12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, PD3.0, QC4100W wired, 100% in 30 min 100W wireless, 50% in 15 min Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, White, Cyan, Gold, Orange
Models-LGE-NX9, LGE-N49B, LGE-N19B, LGE-AN10, GBD-NX9
Price-€ 469.41 / £ 397.48
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 980755 (v9) GeekBench: 3512 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE A41 Ultra

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
  • 66W fast charging

  • Slower charging compared to Honor
  • Limited battery information

Honor Magic4 Pro

  • 100W wired and wireless charging
  • 82-hour endurance rating
  • Reverse wireless and wired charging

  • Potentially higher price
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance (potential for throttling)

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic4 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 957 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the ZTE A41 Ultra (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize high-refresh-rate OLED panels, the Honor’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a potentially superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. Without specific panel technology details for the ZTE, it’s difficult to assess potential differences in color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Magic4 Pro’s brightness advantage is a clear differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific sensor details. Without knowing megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture values, a direct comparison is limited. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on both, given their flagship status. Image processing styles will likely differ – Honor often leans towards vibrant, saturated colors, while ZTE may aim for a more natural look. The absence of detailed camera specs makes it impossible to declare a clear winner based on the provided data.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU configuration: 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This means raw processing power will be largely identical. However, thermal management – not explicitly stated – will be crucial. The 4nm process node aims for efficiency, but sustained workloads could still induce throttling. The Honor Magic4 Pro’s larger chassis *may* offer slightly better thermal dissipation, but real-world testing is needed to confirm. RAM speed (LPDDR5x) is also unspecified for both, but is a key factor in sustained performance.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic4 Pro’s charging capabilities are its standout feature: 100W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes, and 100W wireless charging, reaching 50% in 15 minutes. It also includes reverse wireless and 5W reverse wired charging for topping up accessories. The ZTE A41 Ultra offers a more modest 66W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support. Both devices share an endurance rating of 82 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the charging speed disparity. The Honor’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences, offering greater convenience for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE A41 Ultra if you need a high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 device and are comfortable with a more conventional charging experience. It's ideal for users who prioritize value and don't require the absolute fastest charging speeds. Buy the Honor Magic4 Pro if you prioritize minimizing downtime with its groundbreaking 100W wired and wireless charging, and appreciate the convenience of reverse wireless charging, even if it comes at a potentially higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in either phone tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones utilize a 4nm process for improved efficiency, thermal management implementation (heat pipes, vapor chambers) is crucial. Without specific details on cooling solutions, it's difficult to say definitively, but expect some throttling during extended gaming, particularly with graphically demanding titles. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ How does the 100W wireless charging on the Honor Magic4 Pro compare to other wireless charging solutions?
100W wireless charging is significantly faster than the typical 15-50W wireless charging found on most smartphones. The Honor Magic4 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes wirelessly, which is comparable to many phones' wired charging speeds. This makes it exceptionally convenient for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging on the Honor Magic4 Pro useful for more than just earbuds?
While ideal for earbuds and smartwatches, the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Honor Magic4 Pro can also provide a slow trickle charge to other Qi-compatible devices, like older smartphones or wireless controllers. It's not a replacement for a dedicated power bank, but it's a handy feature for emergencies or sharing power with friends.