ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition vs. Axon 50 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE has been making waves in the smartphone market with its Axon series, offering impressive specs at competitive prices. The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition and the newer Axon 50 Ultra are both compelling options, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Axon 50 Ultra edges out the 40 Ultra thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering noticeably better performance and efficiency. While both offer excellent features, the 50 Ultra's improved processor makes it the superior choice for most users, especially those prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition	ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

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	LTE
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78	SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2022, November 29	2023, April 12
Status	Available. Released 2022, December 06	Cancelled

Body
Build	Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)	161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	204 g (7.20 oz)	199 g (7.02 oz)

Display
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 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 730
OS	Android 12, MyOS 12	Android 12, MyOS 12

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR	Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display	-
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	64 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Video	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 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	32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video	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, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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
	-	BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)

Battery
Charging	80W wired, PD3.0, QC4	80W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black	Black
Models	A2023P	-
Price	About 800 EUR	-

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition

Unique under-display selfie camera
Flagship specs at a competitive price
Fast 80W charging
Attractive design

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle under sustained load
Slightly older chipset compared to the 50 Ultra
Potential for software update delays

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
Improved power efficiency
Likely better image processing
Slightly more modern design

Potentially higher price
Under-display selfie camera may not be as good as a traditional one
Software update delays possible

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Axon 50 Ultra might have slightly improved brightness and color accuracy due to potential display panel refinements, but the difference is likely minimal for most users. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

Both phones boast impressive camera setups, likely featuring a 108MP main sensor. The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is known for its under-display selfie camera, a unique feature. The Axon 50 Ultra likely has improved image processing algorithms thanks to its newer chipset, resulting in slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect similar video recording capabilities on both.

Performance

This is where the Axon 50 Ultra shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the 40 Ultra. Expect faster app loading times, smoother gaming performance, and better overall responsiveness. The 8+ Gen 1 also boasts improved power efficiency, leading to potentially longer battery life.

Battery Life

Both devices have an 80W wired charging capability, promising fast charging times. However, the more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Axon 50 Ultra could translate to slightly better real-world battery life, even with the same battery capacity (likely around 4500mAh on both).

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a flagship-level experience. It's ideal for those who prioritize a unique design and a good camera system. The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is best suited for users who demand top-tier performance, smoother multitasking, and a more efficient processor, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the under-display selfie camera on the Axon 40 Ultra any good?

The under-display selfie camera is a novelty, but image quality isn't quite as good as a traditional camera. It's more about the unique look than top-tier selfie performance.

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?

The Axon 50 Ultra is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It will handle demanding games with higher frame rates and less throttling.