ZTE Axon 60 vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The ZTE Axon 60 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Axon 60 aims for value with its Unisoc chipset, while the Edge 40 Neo prioritizes a more refined experience with a MediaTek Dimensity processor and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device delivers the best overall package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smoother experience and significantly faster charging, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is the better choice. Its Dimensity 7030 chipset and 68W charging capability offer a noticeable advantage over the ZTE Axon 60's Unisoc Tiger T616 and 22.5W charging, despite the Axon 60's potentially lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 60 Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 072023, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayAvailable. Released 2023, September 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.3 x 77.2 x 8.2 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.32 in)159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G610 MC3
OSAndroid 13Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired68W wired, 50% in 15 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGold, Black, PurpleBlack, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz
ModelsZ2356XT2307-1
PriceAbout 200 EUR$ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900

ZTE Axon 60

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks
  • May offer longer battery life due to potentially larger capacity (unconfirmed)

  • Significantly slower charging speed
  • Less powerful processor
  • Likely inferior display brightness and color accuracy

Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Faster and more efficient processor
  • Significantly faster charging (68W)
  • Brighter and more vibrant display

  • Higher price point
  • Battery life, while good, may not be dramatically longer than Axon 60
  • May require more frequent charging with heavy use

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1073 nits. This is a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility compared to the ZTE Axon 60, which lacks published brightness data but is expected to be lower given its chipset and price point. While both likely utilize LCD or OLED panels (data unavailable for Axon 60), the Edge 40 Neo’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price bracket, but the Edge 40 Neo’s color accuracy is likely superior due to its more advanced display calibration.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera analysis is hampered by limited data on the ZTE Axon 60. However, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is expected to offer a more consistent and refined camera experience. While both likely feature multi-camera setups, the Edge 40 Neo benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) and potentially larger sensor sizes. The Axon 60’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual photography, but the Edge 40 Neo should excel in low-light conditions and offer more detailed images and videos. We'd expect the Edge 40 Neo to have better video stabilization as well.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance uplift over the ZTE Axon 60’s 12nm Unisoc Tiger T616. The Dimensity 7030’s Cortex-A78 cores (2x2.5 GHz) are architecturally superior to the Axon 60’s Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz), resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The 6nm node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones feature 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Dimensity 7030’s overall system-on-chip (SoC) integration provides a more responsive user experience.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in the battery and charging department. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified, its 10:28h active use score demonstrates excellent endurance. Crucially, the 68W wired charging capability allows for a 50% charge in just 15 minutes – a massive advantage over the ZTE Axon 60’s slow 22.5W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the phone. The Axon 60 will likely require significantly longer to fully charge, even if it has a slightly larger battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 60 if your primary concern is minimizing upfront cost and you're comfortable with a more basic user experience. It's a solid option for essential smartphone tasks. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you value faster performance for multitasking and gaming, a brighter display, and the convenience of rapid charging – even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the ZTE Axon 60 capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Axon 60 can *run* Genshin Impact, expect significant compromises in graphics settings and frame rates. The Unisoc Tiger T616 is not designed for intensive gaming, and you'll likely experience stuttering and lag. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s Dimensity 7030 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo compare to other fast charging standards?
68W is a very competitive charging speed, placing the Edge 40 Neo among the faster-charging phones in its price range. It's faster than many 33W or 45W implementations, and while not as fast as some 120W or 150W solutions, it provides a substantial top-up in a short amount of time – 50% in 15 minutes as advertised.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 40 Neo support expandable storage via microSD card?
No, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo does not offer microSD card expansion. Users will need to rely on the internal storage options available at the time of purchase. The ZTE Axon 60's microSD support is currently unknown.