ZTE nubia Z40S Pro vs. ZTE Axon 50 Ultra: A Clash of Flagships

ZTE has been making a resurgence in the smartphone market, and the nubia Z40S Pro and Axon 50 Ultra are two of their most compelling offerings. Both pack the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but differ in key areas like charging speed, camera features, and overall design. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z40S Pro edges out the Axon 50 Ultra thanks to its significantly faster charging (especially the 120W version) and potentially superior camera tuning. However, the Axon 50 Ultra offers a more refined software experience and a potentially better overall design, making it a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z40S Pro ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
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 bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41LTE
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, July 202023, April 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 26Cancelled
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.3 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
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 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nitsAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13Android 12, MyOS 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), AF64 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, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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/6, 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 (regular version) 120W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (120W version)80W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (120W version)Li-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsInterstellar Black, Star Black, SilverBlack
ModelsNX702J-
PriceAbout 490 EUR-

ZTE nubia Z40S Pro

  • Blazing-fast charging (up to 120W)
  • Potentially superior camera system
  • Slightly faster CPU clock speed
  • Aggressive gaming features

  • Software experience may be less polished
  • Design may be less mainstream
  • Availability may be limited

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

  • Refined software experience
  • Excellent 108MP main camera
  • Stylish design
  • Good color accuracy on display

  • Slower charging speeds compared to nubia Z40S Pro
  • Potentially less advanced camera features
  • Slightly slower CPU clock speed

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays, likely with a 120Hz refresh rate. The nubia Z40S Pro may have a slightly higher peak brightness or resolution, but detailed specifications are needed for a definitive comparison. The Axon 50 Ultra is known for its color accuracy and vibrant display.

Camera Comparison

The nubia Z40S Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially with a larger primary sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Axon 50 Ultra is known for its 108MP main camera and generally good image quality, but the nubia Z40S Pro could offer more detail and better low-light performance. Both likely offer excellent video recording capabilities.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, ensuring flagship-level performance. The nubia Z40S Pro's CPU has a slightly higher prime core clock speed (3.19 GHz vs 3.0 GHz), which *could* translate to marginally better single-core performance, but real-world differences will likely be minimal. Gaming performance should be excellent on both.

Battery Life

The nubia Z40S Pro boasts significantly faster charging speeds, with options for 80W or even 120W wired charging, and 15W wireless charging. The Axon 50 Ultra offers 80W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the nubia Z40S Pro will charge much faster.

Buying Guide

The nubia Z40S Pro is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize charging speed and potentially a more aggressive camera approach. The Axon 50 Ultra is a better choice for users who value a balanced experience, a polished software interface, and a more mainstream design.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the Axon 50 Ultra might offer slightly better real-world battery life due to potentially more efficient software optimization. However, the nubia Z40S Pro charges significantly faster.
❓ Is the nubia Z40S Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and potentially optimized cooling system make the nubia Z40S Pro an excellent choice for mobile gaming. It likely has gaming-specific features as well.