ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition vs. vivo X90 Pro+: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo X90 Pro+ emerges as the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance uplift and improved thermal efficiency over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra. While both offer 80W charging, the X90 Pro+ adds 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, enhancing its versatility.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition | vivo X90 Pro+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 29 | 2022, November 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 06 | Available. Released 2022, December 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 91mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 64 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.7", PDAF | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Red |
| Models | A2023P | V2227A |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- Potentially lower price point
- Capable Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
- 80W wired charging
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Lacks wireless and reverse charging
- Potentially less efficient image processing
vivo X90 Pro+
- Superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- 50W wireless and reverse wired charging
- Advanced image processing capabilities
- Higher price tag
- May run hotter under extreme load (though Gen 2 is more efficient)
- Software experience may vary based on user preference
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-quality AMOLED displays, specific details like peak brightness and refresh rate are missing. However, the underlying chipsets influence display responsiveness. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the X90 Pro+ has a more advanced ISP capable of handling higher resolution and faster refresh rates more efficiently, potentially leading to a smoother visual experience. The Axon 40 Ultra's older chipset may exhibit slight lag in demanding graphical scenarios.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP in the X90 Pro+ offers superior image processing capabilities, including faster autofocus, improved low-light performance, and more advanced computational photography features. The X90 Pro+ likely benefits from more sophisticated algorithms for noise reduction and dynamic range optimization. While the Axon 40 Ultra can capture good images, the X90 Pro+ is expected to deliver consistently higher-quality results, particularly in challenging conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo X90 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) boasts a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, a significant upgrade over the Axon 40 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) and its 3.00 GHz Cortex-X2. The Gen 2 also features improved Cortex-A715 and A710 cores, alongside more efficient A510 cores. This translates to approximately 25-35% faster CPU performance and a substantial GPU boost, benefiting gamers and power users. The 4nm process node of both chips is similar, but the architectural improvements in the Gen 2 offer better thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 80W wired charging, with the vivo X90 Pro+ advertising a full charge in 33 minutes. The Axon 40 Ultra’s charging speed is not specified beyond 80W. The X90 Pro+ gains a significant advantage with the addition of 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, providing greater flexibility. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the X90 Pro+'s more efficient chipset and charging capabilities likely translate to longer real-world battery life despite potentially similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition if you prioritize value and are comfortable with slightly older hardware. It remains a capable device for everyday tasks and photography, offering a flagship experience at a potentially lower price point. Buy the vivo X90 Pro+ if you demand the absolute best performance, a more refined camera system, and the convenience of wireless and reverse charging – justifying its higher price tag.