ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vs vivo X90 Pro+: A Detailed Comparison

The smartphone market is brimming with options, but two contenders stand out: the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra and the vivo X90 Pro+. Both offer premium features, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The vivo X90 Pro+ edges out the Axon 50 Ultra thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, enhanced camera system (particularly zoom capabilities), and faster wireless charging. However, the Axon 50 Ultra remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing value and a clean software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vivo X90 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, April 122022, November 22
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2022, December 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back
Dimensions161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzLTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 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 SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF
Single-32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
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), PDAF-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
 BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)-
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC480W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Red
Models-V2227A
Price-About 1030 EUR

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

  • Excellent value for money
  • Clean Android experience
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Fast 80W wired charging

  • Camera not as advanced as competitors
  • No wireless charging
  • Less established brand reputation

vivo X90 Pro+

  • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Exceptional camera system with advanced zoom
  • Fast 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Reverse wired charging
  • Premium build quality

  • Higher price point
  • vivo's software can be polarizing
  • Availability may be limited in some regions

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz). The X90 Pro+ likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to vivo's display tuning expertise. Expect vibrant colors and smooth scrolling on both devices, but the X90 Pro+ might offer a marginally superior visual experience.

Camera Comparison

The vivo X90 Pro+ is the clear winner in the camera department. It features a more advanced camera system, likely including a larger sensor and improved zoom capabilities. Expect better low-light performance, more detailed photos, and greater versatility. The Axon 50 Ultra's camera is still good, but it doesn't match the X90 Pro+'s overall capabilities.

Performance

The vivo X90 Pro+ boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Axon 50 Ultra. This translates to faster processing speeds, improved efficiency, and better graphics performance. While the Axon 50 Ultra is still very capable, the X90 Pro+ will handle demanding tasks and games with greater ease.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 80W wired charging, promising relatively fast charging times. The X90 Pro+ also includes 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, providing added convenience. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the X90 Pro+'s more efficient chipset could result in slightly better battery life.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for users seeking a high-performance flagship experience without breaking the bank. It's a great option for those who value a clean Android experience and don't need the absolute best camera features. The vivo X90 Pro+ is for photography enthusiasts and power users who demand top-tier performance, a versatile camera system, and premium features like wireless charging and reverse wired charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra worth buying?
Yes, if you're looking for a high-performance phone at a competitive price and prefer a clean Android experience. However, be aware of its limitations in camera capabilities and lack of wireless charging.
❓ Which phone has the better camera?
The vivo X90 Pro+ has a significantly better camera system, offering superior image quality, zoom capabilities, and low-light performance.