ZTE has been aggressively targeting the budget and mid-range smartphone markets with compelling devices. The nubia Music 2 prioritizes exceptional battery life, while the Axon 40 SE focuses on a more balanced approach with faster charging and a slightly more powerful chipset. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which ZTE phone best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the ZTE nubia Music 2 is the clear winner, boasting an impressive 49:27h endurance. However, the ZTE Axon 40 SE offers a more modern charging experience with 22.5W support and a marginally faster CPU, making it a better choice for those who value convenience and responsiveness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, January 07 | 2022, October 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January 07 | Available. Released 2022, October 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) | 163.5 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7200 (12 nm) | Unisoc UMS512T T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12, MyOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (3 speakers) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow/Blue/Red, White | Blue, Black |
| Models | Z2460 | 9047 |
| Price | € 87.51 / £ 78.27 | About 300 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 49:27h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class D (45 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
ZTE nubia Music 2
- Exceptional battery life (49:27h endurance)
- Potentially lower operating temperatures due to less powerful chipset
- 800 charge cycles suggest good long-term battery health
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful CPU compared to the Axon 40 SE
ZTE Axon 40 SE
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Slightly more powerful CPU for smoother multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Shorter battery life compared to the Music 2
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on internals, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. Bezels are likely similar, and color accuracy will be adequate but not exceptional. The lack of information suggests neither phone features high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, ZTE's budget phones often prioritize megapixel count over sensor size and image quality. We can assume both phones feature a multi-camera setup, but image processing will likely be basic. The absence of OIS suggests low-light performance will be limited on both devices. Any claims of advanced camera features should be viewed with skepticism.
Performance
The ZTE Axon 40 SE edges out the nubia Music 2 in raw CPU performance thanks to its Unisoc UMS512T T618 chipset, featuring 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores compared to the Music 2’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. While both utilize the same 12nm process, the higher clock speeds translate to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the difference isn't massive. Both phones will likely struggle with demanding games at high settings. RAM configurations are unknown, but LPDDR4X is a likely candidate for both, limiting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
The ZTE nubia Music 2’s 49:27h endurance is its defining feature. This is achieved through a combination of a likely larger battery capacity (though not specified) and the more power-efficient Unisoc T7200 chipset. The Axon 40 SE, with its 22.5W charging, offers a significantly faster charging experience. While the Music 2’s 10W charging is adequate, it will take considerably longer to reach a full charge. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for the Axon 40 SE.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Music 2 if you need a phone that can reliably last through extended periods without access to a charger – ideal for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who dislikes daily charging. Buy the ZTE Axon 40 SE if you prefer a quicker charging experience and a slightly more responsive user interface, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance. This phone is better suited for users who want a balance between performance and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Axon 40 SE compared to the nubia Music 2?
The Axon 40 SE's 22.5W charging is more than double the speed of the Music 2's 10W charging. This translates to a significantly reduced time to reach a full charge, offering a much more convenient experience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the Axon 40 SE's chipset handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Unisoc UMS512T T618 is a step up from the T7200, it's still a budget chipset. Expect to play PUBG or Call of Duty at lower graphics settings and potentially with reduced frame rates to maintain a stable experience. It won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience.
❓ What does '800 charge cycles' mean for the nubia Music 2's battery health?
ZTE claims the Music 2's battery is rated for 800 full charge cycles with minimal degradation. This means you can fully charge and discharge the battery 800 times before it significantly loses its capacity. This is a strong indicator of long-term battery reliability.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The difference in CPU performance is noticeable, but not dramatic. The Axon 40 SE will feel slightly snappier when launching apps and multitasking. However, for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal.
