ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vs. Axon 40 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra edges out the Axon 40 Ultra thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and quicker 80W charging. While the 40 Ultra boasts excellent battery life, the 50 Ultra's performance improvements make it the better choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 50 Ultra | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2022, May 09 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, May 13 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display |
| 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 | 64 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", PDAF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| 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, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | - | A2023P, A2023PG |
| Price | - | About 380 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.8 LUFS (Very good) |
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
- Faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Chipset
- 80W Fast Charging
- Likely Improved Display (120Hz)
- Potentially Better Camera Processing
- Potentially Slightly Shorter Battery Life
- Price likely higher than Axon 40 Ultra
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Exceptional Battery Life (104h Endurance Rating)
- Solid Camera System
- Competitive Price
- Slower Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Chipset
- 65W Charging (Slower than 50 Ultra)
- Likely 90Hz Display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, but the Axon 50 Ultra likely has a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy and potentially a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz, versus the 40 Ultra's likely 90Hz). The 40 Ultra's 680 nits brightness is respectable, but the 50 Ultra should offer better outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Axon 50 Ultra likely benefits from software optimizations and potentially a slightly improved sensor. While both are advertised as 'Photo / Video' devices, the 50 Ultra's newer chipset allows for better image processing and potentially improved video recording capabilities. Expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions, but the 50 Ultra may have an edge in low light.
Performance
This is where the Axon 50 Ultra truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly improved gaming performance on the 50 Ultra. The CPU and GPU differences are significant.
Battery Life
The Axon 40 Ultra's endurance rating of 104h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. The Axon 50 Ultra, despite having a similar battery capacity, might see slightly reduced battery life due to the more power-hungry chipset, but the 80W charging will offset this with incredibly fast charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance and fast charging. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a great option for those seeking exceptional battery life and a solid camera experience on a slightly tighter budget.