ZTE A41 Ultra vs Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity): Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The ZTE A41 Ultra and Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship smartphone space. While both devices utilize a 4nm process, they diverge significantly in their core processing power, leaning on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ respectively. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on how they translate to real-world performance and user experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw CPU performance and sustained gaming, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) is the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 9000+ chipset offers a slight edge in processing power and potentially better thermal management, while both phones offer comparable fast charging and a premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE A41 Ultra Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)
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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced20222022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions161.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzLTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
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/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
VideoYes4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single44 MP, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
VideoYes1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, PD3.0, QC467W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackGray, Blue
Models-2207122MC
Price-About 570 EUR

ZTE A41 Ultra

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon ecosystem
  • Fast 66W charging

  • Slightly lower CPU performance
  • Potential for more thermal throttling

Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

  • Superior CPU performance with Dimensity 9000+
  • Potentially better thermal management
  • Fast 67W charging

  • May be more expensive
  • MediaTek chipset – some users prefer Qualcomm

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high-quality AMOLED panels, the provided data doesn't allow for a direct comparison of display characteristics. However, given Xiaomi’s history with flagship devices, the 12 Pro likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to better battery efficiency. The ZTE A41 Ultra’s display quality will be competitive, but without specific details, it’s difficult to assess its advantage.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, both phones are expected to feature multi-camera systems. The image processing style will likely differ – Qualcomm typically leans towards more saturated colors, while MediaTek often aims for a more natural look. The absence of sensor size information makes it impossible to determine which device has an advantage in low-light photography. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the main sensor is crucial for both, and its effectiveness will be a key differentiator.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ with a Cortex-X2 clocked at 3.20 GHz, exceeding the ZTE A41 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s 3.00 GHz Cortex-X2. While both feature the same Cortex-A710 and A510 configurations, the higher clock speeds on the Dimensity 9000+ translate to a noticeable performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The 4nm fabrication process is shared, but the Dimensity 9000+'s architecture is generally considered more efficient, potentially leading to less thermal throttling under sustained load. Both devices will likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed and configuration could vary, impacting multitasking performance.

Battery Life

Both devices offer comparable fast charging at 66W and 67W respectively, both supporting PD3.0 and QC4. This suggests similar 0-100% charging times, likely around 35-45 minutes. The actual battery life will depend on the battery capacity (not provided) and software optimization. The Dimensity 9000+'s potentially better power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life for the Xiaomi 12 Pro, offsetting any capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE A41 Ultra if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon ecosystem. It’s a solid performer for everyday tasks and photography. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) if you demand the best possible CPU performance for demanding applications, gaming, and multitasking, and appreciate MediaTek’s advancements in flagship silicon.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the ZTE A41 Ultra overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than some of its competitors. While ZTE likely implements thermal management solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings could lead to throttling, reducing sustained performance. The Xiaomi 12 Pro’s Dimensity 9000+ is generally considered more thermally efficient.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) support high refresh rate gaming, and what frame rates can be expected in popular titles like PUBG?
The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) likely supports high refresh rate gaming, potentially up to 120Hz depending on the game. With the Dimensity 9000+'s powerful GPU, achieving stable 60fps or even higher frame rates in PUBG should be possible at high graphics settings. However, sustained performance will depend on thermal management.
❓ Are there any known software differences between the ZTE A41 Ultra and the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) that might affect the user experience?
The ZTE A41 Ultra likely runs a relatively stock version of Android, while Xiaomi’s MIUI is heavily customized. MIUI offers a wide range of features but can also be more resource-intensive and include pre-installed bloatware. User preference will dictate which software experience is preferable.