ZTE has been steadily carving out a niche in the smartphone market, offering compelling features at competitive prices. The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition and the Axon 30 Pro 5G represent two different points in their evolution. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition clearly takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, faster charging, and likely improved camera capabilities. While the Axon 30 Pro 5G remains a capable device, the 40 Ultra offers a noticeable performance upgrade and a more modern experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 29 | 2021, April 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 06 | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 11, MyOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
64 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, (wide) |
| 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 | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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/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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 55W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Pink |
| Models | A2023P | A2022 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 400 EUR |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- Significantly faster performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- 80W fast charging
- Under-display camera
- Likely improved camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Potentially higher price
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can be prone to thermal throttling under sustained load
- Under-display camera image quality may be slightly lower
ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G
- More affordable
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- 5G connectivity
- Good value for money
- Slower performance (Snapdragon 888)
- Slower 55W charging
- Older design
- Less advanced camera system
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, but the Axon 40 Ultra likely boasts a higher resolution and potentially a smoother refresh rate (likely 120Hz vs. 90Hz on the 30 Pro). Color accuracy and brightness are also likely improved on the newer model. The Axon 40 Ultra also has an under-display camera, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have capable camera systems, the Axon 40 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced setup. It likely features a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. The under-display camera on the 40 Ultra is also a unique selling point, though image quality may be slightly compromised compared to a traditional front-facing camera.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 888 in the Axon 30 Pro. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 4nm process of the 8 Gen 1 also contributes to improved efficiency.
Battery Life
The Axon 40 Ultra's 80W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster charging times compared to the Axon 30 Pro's 55W charging. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the faster charging makes a noticeable difference in convenience.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a premium feel. It's a great choice for gamers and power users. The Axon 30 Pro 5G is a solid option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a 5G-enabled phone with a decent camera and respectable performance for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Axon 40 Ultra worth the extra cost over the Axon 30 Pro?
If performance and fast charging are priorities, then yes. The Axon 40 Ultra offers a significant upgrade. However, if you're on a tighter budget and primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Axon 30 Pro remains a viable option.
❓ How does the under-display camera on the Axon 40 Ultra perform?
The under-display camera is a novel feature, but image quality may be slightly softer and less detailed compared to a traditional front-facing camera. However, it provides a more immersive, uninterrupted viewing experience.
