ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition vs. Red Magic 8 Pro+: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ decisively wins thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, blistering 165W charging, and dedicated gaming features. While the Axon 40 Ultra offers a more balanced experience, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear choice for gamers and performance enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition | ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 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 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-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, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 06 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| 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) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 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, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, 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 | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| 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/6e, tri-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 | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Transparent |
| Models | A2023P | - |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 700 EUR |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- Excellent camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Good color accuracy on display
- 80W fast charging
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Less optimized for gaming
- Charging speed slower than Red Magic
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Incredible 165W charging speed
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers, cooling)
- High refresh rate display
- Design less refined than Axon 40 Ultra
- Camera not as strong as Axon 40 Ultra
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high-quality AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has a slightly brighter display and potentially a higher resolution, though specific brightness figures are needed for a definitive comparison. The Axon 40 Ultra's display is known for its color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The Axon 40 Ultra is generally considered to have a better camera system, particularly in terms of image processing and overall quality. It boasts a 108MP main sensor and a periscope telephoto lens. The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s camera is competent, but not its primary focus.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ offers a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra. Expect smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the Red Magic 8 Pro+. The Red Magic's cooling system is also superior, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. While the Axon 40 Ultra’s 80W charging is still respectable, it can't compete with the Red Magic's speed. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the Red Magic’s charging advantage makes it the winner.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition? Users seeking a stylish, well-rounded flagship with a good camera and a premium design. Who should buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+? Gamers and power users who prioritize raw performance, fast charging, and dedicated gaming features like shoulder triggers and advanced cooling.