ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: A Clash of Flagships

ZTE has consistently delivered compelling smartphones, and the nubia Z50 Ultra and Axon 40 Ultra are prime examples. Both offer impressive features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z50 Ultra takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and faster charging. While the Axon 40 Ultra boasts exceptional battery life and a strong camera, the Z50 Ultra's performance edge makes it the overall winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Z50 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, March 07	2022, May 09
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 14	Available. Released 2022, May 13

Body
Build	-	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 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	228 g (8.04 oz)	204 g (7.20 oz)

Display
Resolution	1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)	1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~92.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 740	Adreno 730
OS	Android 13, MyOS 13	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
	UFS 4.0	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, Ring-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	16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
Triple	64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 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	16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display	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	5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS	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/6e, 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

Battery
Charging	80W wired, PD3.0, QC4	65W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Silver, Starry Sky	Black, Gold, Silver
Models	NX712J	A2023P, A2023PG
Price	About 540 EUR	About 380 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 104h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Loudspeaker	-	-25.8 LUFS (Very good)

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

Significantly faster performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
Faster 80W charging
Likely brighter and smoother display
Modern design

Potentially shorter battery life than Axon 40 Ultra
Camera may not be as versatile as Axon 40 Ultra

ZTE Axon 40 Ultra

Exceptional battery life (104h endurance rating)
Versatile camera system
Excellent value for money
Unique design

Slower performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
Slower 65W charging
Older chipset

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays, but the nubia Z50 Ultra likely has a slightly brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate (often 120Hz or higher, though not explicitly stated). The Axon 40 Ultra's 680 nits is respectable, but the Z50 Ultra's display is expected to offer a more vibrant and responsive experience. Color accuracy is likely excellent on both.

Camera Comparison

The Axon 40 Ultra is known for its impressive camera system, particularly its 108MP main sensor. While the Z50 Ultra also has a high-resolution main sensor (likely 64MP or 80MP), the Axon 40 Ultra's image processing and overall camera versatility are strengths. Both offer excellent video recording capabilities.

Performance

This is where the nubia Z50 Ultra truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the Z50 Ultra. The Gen 1 still performs well, but it can throttle under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Axon 40 Ultra's endurance rating of 104 hours is remarkable, suggesting exceptional battery life. The nubia Z50 Ultra, while having a decent battery capacity, is likely to drain faster due to its more powerful processor. However, the 80W fast charging on the Z50 Ultra can quickly compensate for this.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing raw performance and fast charging. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a great choice for those who value long battery life, a versatile camera system, and a more balanced overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the nubia Z50 Ultra worth the extra cost over the Axon 40 Ultra?

If performance is your top priority, then yes. The Z50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant speed boost. However, if battery life and camera versatility are more important, the Axon 40 Ultra remains a compelling option at a potentially lower price.

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?

The nubia Z50 Ultra, hands down. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, resulting in smoother frame rates and better overall gaming experience.