ZTE Axon 40 Pro vs OnePlus 11: A Clash of Flagship Titans

The smartphone market is brimming with options, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two compelling contenders against each other: the ZTE Axon 40 Pro and the OnePlus 11. Both offer premium features, but cater to slightly different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 11 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, faster charging, and generally more polished software experience. While the Axon 40 Pro offers impressive value with its under-display camera and Snapdragon 870, the OnePlus 11 provides a more complete flagship package.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 40 Pro OnePlus 11
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EuropeHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 41, 40, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - ROW1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, May 092023, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 31Available. Released 2023, January 09
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 72.9 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.87 x 0.34 in)163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP64
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak)LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 (International), ColorOS 14 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.0, 48mm (telephoto), 1/2.74", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD, QC4100W wired, PD, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min - International 80W wired, PD - USA
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDream black, Crystal blue, GoldTitan Black, Eternal Green, Jupiter Rock
ModelsA2023G, A2023PHB110, CPH2449, CPH2447, CPH2451
PriceAbout 410 EUR$ 379.99 / ₹ 33,990
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 108h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1140661 (v9) GeekBench: 4899 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 40 Pro

  • Unique under-display camera
  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
  • 65W fast charging
  • Competitive price

  • Potentially compromised camera quality due to under-display tech
  • Less efficient processor compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Slower charging speeds than OnePlus 11
  • Software support may be less consistent

OnePlus 11

  • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Blazing-fast 100W charging (International) / 80W (USA)
  • Excellent battery life
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Refined software experience

  • Higher price point
  • Design may not appeal to everyone
  • Alert slider missing compared to older OnePlus models

Display Comparison

Both phones boast vibrant AMOLED displays, but the OnePlus 11 takes the lead with a measured peak brightness of 767 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The OnePlus 11 also boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and richer colors. The Axon 40 Pro's display is still excellent, but lacks the same level of brightness and contrast.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the OnePlus 11 is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The OnePlus 11 likely benefits from better image processing and potentially larger sensors. The Axon 40 Pro's unique under-display camera is a novelty, but image quality may be compromised compared to a traditional camera setup.

Performance

The OnePlus 11's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is significantly faster and more efficient than the Axon 40 Pro's Snapdragon 870. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming performance on the OnePlus 11. While the 870 is still a capable chip, the 8 Gen 2 represents a substantial generational leap.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 11 demonstrates exceptional battery life with an endurance rating of 108 hours and active use lasting over 11 hours. The Axon 40 Pro's battery life is respectable, but likely falls short of the OnePlus 11's longevity. The OnePlus 11 also boasts significantly faster charging speeds (100W wired), allowing for a full charge in under 30 minutes.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 40 Pro is ideal for users seeking a unique under-display camera experience and a powerful processor at a more affordable price point. The OnePlus 11 is perfect for those prioritizing top-tier performance, blazing-fast charging, and a refined user experience, willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the ZTE Axon 40 Pro's under-display camera any good?
The under-display camera is a unique feature, but image quality is generally not as good as a traditional camera. It's more of a novelty than a primary camera solution.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The OnePlus 11 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and superior cooling system.