ZTE has been making a comeback in the smartphone market, and the Axon 40 Pro and Nubia Z50 represent their latest efforts. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which phone is the better fit.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nubia Z50 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and faster charging. While the Axon 40 Pro offers good value, the Z50's performance and future-proofing make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - ROW | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 09 | 2022, December 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 31 | Available. Released 2022, December 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.87 x 0.34 in) | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.7 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 13, MyOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0
UFS 3.1 (128GB only) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Ring-LED flash (4 LEDs), panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K, 4K |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD, QC4 | 80W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dream black, Crystal blue, Gold | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red |
| Models | A2023G, A2023 | NX711J |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 400 EUR |
ZTE Axon 40 Pro
- Excellent 108MP Camera
- Good Value for Money
- Fast 65W Charging
- Sharp and Accurate Display
- Older Snapdragon 870 Chipset
- Less Premium Build Quality (potentially)
- Slower Charging than Z50
ZTE nubia Z50
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Performance
- Faster 80W Charging
- Modern Design
- Improved Power Efficiency
- Potentially Higher Price
- Camera performance details still emerging
- Availability may be limited
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, but the Nubia Z50 likely boasts a slightly brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate (specifications are not fully confirmed for the Z50, but it's expected to be 120Hz). The Axon 40 Pro's display is known for its excellent color accuracy and sharpness. The Z50's display is expected to have a more modern design with thinner bezels.
Camera Comparison
The Axon 40 Pro is renowned for its 108MP main camera and impressive zoom capabilities. The Nubia Z50 is expected to have a versatile camera system, likely with a focus on computational photography and improved low-light performance. While the Axon 40 Pro might excel in zoom, the Z50 should offer a more well-rounded camera experience.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Nubia Z50 provides a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 870 in the Axon 40 Pro. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly improved gaming performance on the Z50. The Z50's chip also offers better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Nubia Z50's 80W wired charging is faster than the Axon 40 Pro's 65W charging. Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, but the Z50's more efficient chipset could provide a slight edge.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 40 Pro is ideal for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability, particularly those who prioritize a high-resolution camera. The ZTE Nubia Z50 is best suited for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and a premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nubia Z50 worth the extra cost over the Axon 40 Pro?
If performance and future-proofing are your priorities, the Z50's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 makes it worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and prioritize camera zoom, the Axon 40 Pro remains a solid choice.
❓ What is the expected battery life of each phone?
Both phones should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Nubia Z50's more efficient chipset may provide slightly better longevity.
