The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we pit the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra, boasting a flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, against the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro, a popular mid-range contender. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which device deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra delivers significantly superior performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. However, the Poco X5 Pro offers excellent value with its impressive battery life and fast charging. If raw power is your priority, the Axon wins; for budget-conscious users, the Poco is a strong choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | - | 22101320G, 22101320I |
| Price | - | € 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 531398 (v9)
GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
- Flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Chipset
- Potentially Superior Camera System
- Faster Charging (80W)
- Unknown Battery Capacity
- Potentially Higher Price
- Limited Availability
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Excellent Battery Life (113h Endurance Rating)
- Fast Charging (67W)
- Good Value for Money
- Bright Display (912 nits)
- Mid-Range Snapdragon 778G 5G Chipset
- Less Powerful than Axon 50 Ultra
- Camera Performance Likely Inferior
Display Comparison
The Poco X5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 912 nits, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Axon 50 Ultra's display is likely very good, specific brightness figures are harder to find. The Poco's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but suggests good image quality. Overall, the Poco X5 Pro likely has a slight edge in outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Axon 50 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced camera system given its higher price point and flagship chipset, potentially offering better image processing and low-light performance. The Poco X5 Pro's camera is likely adequate for casual photography.
Performance
This is where the Axon 50 Ultra truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a flagship chipset, significantly outperforming the Poco X5 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the Axon. The Poco is still capable, but not in the same league.
Battery Life
The Poco X5 Pro shines here. Its endurance rating of 113h suggests exceptional battery life. The Axon 50 Ultra's battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while efficient, can still be power-hungry. The Poco's 67W charging is also faster than the Axon's 80W.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone demanding top-tier performance. The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is perfect for everyday users, students, and those seeking a reliable phone with long battery life and fast charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and are willing to pay a premium, the Axon 50 Ultra is a worthwhile investment. However, the Poco X5 Pro offers excellent value for most users.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra, with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, will provide significantly better gaming performance than the Poco X5 Pro.
