ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition vs nubia Z50 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE has been making a push in the flagship phone market, and these two devices – the Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition and the nubia Z50 Ultra – represent their current top-tier offerings. But which one delivers the best overall experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z50 Ultra takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and improved camera system. While the Axon 40 Ultra offers a unique design and competitive price, the Z50 Ultra's performance and camera capabilities make it the superior choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66LTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, November 292023, March 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 06Available. Released 2023, March 14
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)228 g (8.04 oz)
Display
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 13, MyOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
Triple64 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", PDAF64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC480W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Silver, Starry Sky
ModelsA2023PNX712J
PriceAbout 800 EURAbout 540 EUR

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition

  • Unique under-display camera design
  • Competitive price point
  • 108MP main camera
  • 80W fast charging

  • Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Potentially less impressive camera performance compared to Z50 Ultra
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Superior camera system
  • Potentially brighter and more accurate display
  • Improved battery efficiency

  • Likely higher price point
  • Design may be less distinctive

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz). The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a slightly brighter display and potentially a more accurate color calibration, though detailed specifications are needed for confirmation. The Axon 40 Ultra's under-display camera is a unique selling point, potentially offering a less intrusive front-facing experience, though image quality may be slightly compromised.

Camera Comparison

The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced camera system, likely featuring a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing capabilities. While the Axon 40 Ultra boasts a 108MP main sensor, the Z50 Ultra's hardware and software optimizations are likely to result in superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones likely offer excellent video recording capabilities.

Performance

The nubia Z50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a substantial performance advantage over the Axon 40 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly improved gaming performance on the Z50 Ultra. The Gen 2's efficiency also translates to better battery life under load.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 80W wired charging, promising relatively fast charging times. However, the nubia Z50 Ultra's more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset should contribute to better overall battery life, allowing it to last longer on a single charge.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is a good choice for users prioritizing a unique design and a slightly more budget-friendly flagship experience. The nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and camera quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the under-display camera on the Axon 40 Ultra any good?
The under-display camera is a novel feature, but it may compromise image quality slightly compared to a traditional front-facing camera. It's a trade-off for a more seamless display experience.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The nubia Z50 Ultra is significantly better for gaming due to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which offers superior performance and efficiency.