ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vs. Axon 30 Ultra 5G: A Clash of Flagship Titans

ZTE has been steadily carving out a niche in the smartphone market, and the Axon series is a key part of that strategy. We're pitting the newer Axon 50 Ultra against its predecessor, the Axon 30 Ultra 5G, to see which offers the best value and performance. Both phones boast impressive specs, but significant differences exist.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Axon 50 Ultra clearly takes the performance crown with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering a noticeable speed boost. While the Axon 30 Ultra boasts exceptional battery life, the 50 Ultra's faster charging and overall improvements make it the better choice for most users, especially those prioritizing performance.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 50 Ultra ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2023, April 122021, April 15
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2021, April 19
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)161.5 x 73 x 8 mm (6.36 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 11, MyOS 11
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/1.9, 35mm (standard), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 123mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm
Single-16 MP, (wide)
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@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@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 Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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
 BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)-
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC465W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, White, Blue, Light Brown, Aerospace Edition
Models-A2022P, A2022PG
Price-About 550 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 91h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 703270 (v8) GeekBench: 3582 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Faster Charging (80W)
  • Likely Improved Camera Processing
  • Modern Design

  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life than Axon 30 Ultra
  • Likely Higher Price

ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G

  • Exceptional Battery Life (91h Endurance Rating)
  • Competitive Camera System
  • Potentially Lower Price

  • Older Processor (Snapdragon 888)
  • Slower Charging (65W)
  • May Show Performance Limitations Under Heavy Load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Axon 50 Ultra likely has a slightly brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate (though official specs are needed to confirm). The Axon 30 Ultra's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but it suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors. Expect similar viewing experiences overall, with the 50 Ultra potentially edging ahead in brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature impressive camera systems, likely with multiple lenses including a primary sensor, ultrawide, and telephoto. The Axon 50 Ultra's newer processor should allow for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Detailed camera comparisons would require extensive testing, but the 50 Ultra is expected to have a slight edge.

Performance

This is where the Axon 50 Ultra shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 888. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly improved gaming performance. The 50 Ultra handles demanding tasks with ease, while the 30 Ultra might show some signs of strain under heavy load.

Battery Life

The Axon 30 Ultra 5G's endurance rating of 91h is remarkable, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Axon 50 Ultra, while likely still offering good battery life, may not match this longevity. However, the 50 Ultra's 80W charging significantly reduces charging times, potentially offsetting any battery life difference.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who demands top-tier performance. The Axon 30 Ultra 5G remains a solid choice for those prioritizing long battery life and a more budget-friendly price point, especially if camera quality is a secondary concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Axon 50 Ultra worth the upgrade from the Axon 30 Ultra?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a substantial upgrade. However, if battery life is your main concern and you're on a budget, the Axon 30 Ultra remains a viable option.
❓ What is the camera resolution on each phone?
While specific resolutions vary by lens, both phones are expected to feature high-resolution primary sensors (likely 50MP or higher) and capable ultrawide and telephoto lenses. Detailed camera specs require further investigation.