ZTE Axon 50 Ultra vs. Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE has been making waves in the smartphone market with its Axon series, offering impressive specs at competitive prices. The Axon 50 Ultra and Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition are two of their flagship devices. But which one offers the best value and performance? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra edges out the Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering noticeably better performance and efficiency. While both offer excellent features, the 50 Ultra's processing power makes it the slightly better choice for demanding users.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Axon 50 Ultra	ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition

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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2023, April 12	2022, November 29
Status	Cancelled	Available. Released 2022, December 06

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame	Glass front, ceramic 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, MyOS 12

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB 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	80W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black	Black
Models	-	A2023P
Price	-	About 800 EUR

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
Improved Power Efficiency
Likely better color accuracy on display
Fast 80W Charging

Potentially higher price
Design might be less unique than the 40 Ultra

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition

Unique Under-Display Selfie Camera
Excellent Camera System
Competitive Price
Fast 80W Charging

Slightly older chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
Potentially less efficient than 50 Ultra

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Axon 50 Ultra might have slightly better color accuracy due to its newer panel, but the difference is minimal. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

Both phones boast impressive camera systems, likely featuring a 108MP main sensor. The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is known for its unique under-display selfie camera. While both capture excellent photos, the 50 Ultra's newer image processing algorithms may provide slightly better results in challenging lighting conditions. Expect similar video recording capabilities.

Performance

This is where the Axon 50 Ultra truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 50 Ultra. The 8+ Gen 1 also offers improved power efficiency.

Battery Life

Both devices have a 5000mAh battery and 80W fast charging. Real-world battery life should be comparable, with the Axon 50 Ultra potentially lasting slightly longer due to the more efficient chipset.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes top-tier performance. The Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition remains a strong contender for those seeking a premium experience with a unique design and excellent camera capabilities, especially if budget is a significant factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1?

Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers significant improvements in performance and power efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. You'll notice a difference in demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.

❓ Which phone has the better selfie camera?

The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition has a unique under-display selfie camera, which some users may prefer for its clean aesthetic. However, image quality is likely comparable between the two.