ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: A Deep Dive Comparison

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The Axon 50 Ultra aggressively targets value with a powerful Snapdragon chipset and rapid charging, while the Pixel 7 Pro prioritizes Google’s AI-driven software experience and computational photography. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7 Pro emerges as the better all-rounder. Its superior software integration, refined camera processing, and consistent performance outweigh the Axon 50 Ultra’s faster charging and raw processing power. However, gamers and power users prioritizing speed will find the Axon 50 Ultra a compelling alternative.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 50 Ultra Google Pixel 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2023, April 122022, October 06
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple64 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), PDAF50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC423W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackObsidian, Snow, Hazel
Models-GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
Price-€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

  • Significantly faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially superior gaming performance due to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Competitive price point for the hardware offered

  • Software experience likely less refined than Pixel 7 Pro
  • Camera performance details are unknown, potentially lagging behind Pixel

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Exceptional camera quality powered by Google’s AI
  • Seamless software experience with guaranteed updates
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities

  • Slower 23W wired charging
  • Tensor G2 may not match Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in raw processing power

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1090 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Axon 50 Ultra’s display specs aren’t provided, its market positioning suggests it likely doesn’t reach the same peak brightness. Both support PD3.0, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a superior OLED panel with deeper blacks. The Pixel 7 Pro’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts refresh rates for improved efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Axon 50 Ultra.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography and videography, but approach it differently. The Pixel 7 Pro leverages Google’s computational photography prowess, delivering consistently excellent results with minimal effort. The Axon 50 Ultra’s camera specs are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but its market positioning suggests a focus on hardware capabilities. The Pixel 7 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance, while the Axon 50 Ultra may offer more flexibility for manual control. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Axon 50 Ultra makes a definitive judgment difficult, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s software advantage is significant.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), known for its raw processing power and gaming capabilities. Its octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, promises strong single-core performance. Conversely, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is powered by the Google Tensor G2 (5nm). While the Tensor G2’s Cortex-X1 cores are clocked slightly higher at 2.85 GHz, the 5nm process and Google’s focus on AI and machine learning give it an edge in tasks like image processing and voice recognition. The Snapdragon’s 4nm node offers better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Pixel 7 Pro’s performance is optimized for Google’s software, while the Axon 50 Ultra prioritizes brute force.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing approaches. The Pixel 7 Pro offers 23W wired charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes, alongside 23W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Axon 50 Ultra significantly outpaces this with 80W wired charging, promising a much faster full charge. While the Pixel 7 Pro’s wireless charging is a convenience, the Axon 50 Ultra’s charging speed is a major advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra if you need maximum performance for gaming and demanding tasks, prioritize incredibly fast 80W charging, and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro if you prefer a seamless software experience with guaranteed updates, exceptional camera capabilities powered by Google’s AI, and a more refined overall user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor G2 chip overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Tensor G2 isn't known for raw thermal performance like the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Google has implemented thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating. Users report generally acceptable temperatures during gaming, though sustained high-intensity gaming may lead to some throttling. It's not a widespread issue, but it's something to be aware of.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the Axon 50 Ultra compare to the Pixel 7 Pro's 23W charging in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Axon 50 Ultra can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, while the Pixel 7 Pro takes over 90 minutes. This makes the Axon 50 Ultra ideal for users who need a quick power boost, while the Pixel 7 Pro’s charging is more leisurely.
❓ Is the software experience on the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra significantly different from stock Android on the Pixel 7 Pro?
Yes. The Axon 50 Ultra runs ZTE’s MyOS, which is heavily customized and includes pre-installed apps and features not found on the Pixel 7 Pro’s stock Android experience. While MyOS offers customization options, it may not be as clean or receive updates as quickly as the Pixel 7 Pro.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chipset capable of handling demanding games at high settings. Expect smooth frame rates in titles like PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact. The Axon 50 Ultra’s thermal management will be key to maintaining consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.