ZTE Axon 40 Ultra vs OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Features

Both the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and OnePlus 10 Pro represent compelling flagship options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Axon 40 Ultra aims to deliver a top-tier camera experience, while the OnePlus 10 Pro focuses on blazing-fast charging and a refined software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a well-rounded experience, the OnePlus 10 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 80W charging (internationally) significantly outperforms the Axon 40 Ultra’s 65W, and the brighter display enhances outdoor visibility. However, camera enthusiasts may find the Axon 40 Ultra’s imaging capabilities more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 40 Ultra OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EuropeHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, May 092022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 13Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
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", PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
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 Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC480W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, SilverVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
ModelsA2023P, A2023PGNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 380 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 104h Endurance rating 107h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.8 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra

  • Potential for superior camera performance
  • Competitive price point (likely)
  • Solid battery endurance (104h)

  • Slower charging speed (65W)
  • Dimmer display (680 nits)
  • Less established brand recognition

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 80W charging (International)
  • Brighter display (780 nits)
  • Refined OxygenOS software

  • Slightly lower battery endurance (107h)
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • Hasselblad color science may not appeal to all

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a notably brighter display, reaching 780 nits compared to the Axon 40 Ultra’s 680 nits. This 100-nit difference translates to significantly improved visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, the OnePlus’s higher peak brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience in bright environments. The OnePlus 10 Pro also benefits from an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, contributing to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, though both displays are expected to be excellent in color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer versatile camera systems, the Axon 40 Ultra is positioned as the camera-focused device. Details on the Axon 40 Ultra's camera system are limited in the provided data, but its marketing emphasizes advanced imaging capabilities. The OnePlus 10 Pro features a Hasselblad-tuned camera system, known for its natural color science. Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Axon 40 Ultra’s potential for superior image processing and sensor technology (assuming a larger main sensor) gives it an edge for photography enthusiasts. The inclusion of OIS on both devices is standard for flagship stabilization.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), featuring the same CPU configuration: 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510. Therefore, raw processing power is virtually identical. The key differentiator lies in thermal management. While both are prone to throttling under sustained load, OnePlus’s larger vapor chamber cooling system historically performs slightly better, potentially leading to more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. Both utilize LPDDR5X RAM, ensuring fast memory access.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 10 Pro edges out the Axon 40 Ultra in battery endurance, achieving 107 hours versus 104 hours. However, the real difference lies in charging speed. The OnePlus 10 Pro supports 80W wired charging (international) capable of a full charge in 32 minutes, and 65W in North America, with a 58% charge in 15 minutes. It also offers 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The Axon 40 Ultra is limited to 65W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support. This substantial charging speed advantage makes the OnePlus 10 Pro significantly more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra if you prioritize camera versatility and are willing to trade some charging speed for potentially superior image quality. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you value incredibly fast charging, a brighter display for outdoor use, and a more established software ecosystem with OxygenOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in either phone get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones have cooling systems, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s larger vapor chamber may offer slightly better thermal performance, potentially mitigating throttling more effectively during prolonged gaming.
❓ What are the real-world benefits of the OnePlus 10 Pro's 50W wireless charging?
The 50W wireless charging on the OnePlus 10 Pro is significantly faster than most competitors, allowing for a substantial battery top-up in a relatively short amount of time. It provides a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially for users who frequently use wireless charging pads.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness (680 vs 780 nits) really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 100-nit difference is quite noticeable, particularly when viewing the screen outdoors in bright sunlight. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s brighter display will remain more legible and vibrant in these conditions, while the Axon 40 Ultra may require you to seek shade or increase brightness, impacting battery life.