Alright, let's dive deep into this smartphone showdown between the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. We're not just looking at numbers here; we're figuring out what these specs mean for you, the person actually using the phone.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table that breaks down the key specs and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 | Y70 Plus is larger, slightly bulkier; Axon 40 Ultra is more compact and sleek. |
| Weight (g) | 199 | 204 | Y70 Plus is slightly lighter; both are within the range of average smartphones. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.75 | 6.8 | Virtually identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1116x2480 | Axon 40 Ultra display is significantly sharper and clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 260 | 400 | Axon 40 Ultra's text, images look much crisper. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Axon 40 Ultra's display has richer colors, deeper blacks, better outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Axon 40 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | Axon 40 Ultra screen is MUCH brighter, making it easily readable in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Axon 40 Ultra is significantly faster with better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,500 | 1,061,300 | Axon 40 Ultra provides drastically superior app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 730 | Axon 40 Ultra's graphics are vastly superior for gaming and graphical tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.8 | 64MP f/1.6 (1/1.72", Sony IMX787, 0.70µm) | Axon 40 Ultra excels in low-light with its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.0 (Omnivision, 1.22µm) | Axon 40 Ultra captures sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP f/3.5 (1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm) | Axon 40 Ultra allows for optical zoom and enhanced photography versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Y70 Plus provides wider field of view. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Axon 40 Ultra has more depth of field details |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 64MP f/2.3 (1/1.72", Sony IMX787, 0.70µm) | Axon 40 Ultra combines macro and wide shots. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Y70 Plus has dedicated portrait mode. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60/120fps, EIS | Axon 40 Ultra is capable of much higher quality video capture and stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 6000 | 5000 | Y70 Plus might last longer on a single charge due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 22.5W | 65W | Axon 40 Ultra recharges much faster. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256/512/1024GB | Axon 40 Ultra has much higher storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has much higher RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Axon 40 Ultra provides a richer and more immersive audio experience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | - | Android 12/13 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra runs on a modern OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra provides faster WiFi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra provides faster speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | Both are similar, but ZTE Axon 40 Ultra have slightly more accurate tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both are similar. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Side Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Huawei Nova Y70 Plus has a more convinient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has gyroscope for more accurate motion-sensing in games and apps. |
2. Key Insights
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strength: The primary strength here is the potentially longer battery life due to its larger capacity. It also has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor which most user find more convenient than under display sensors.
- Competitive Advantage: Lower price point may be appealing to those on a very tight budget. It does feature a wide angle lens in its triple-camera array.
- Trade-offs: Significantly weaker performance, a lower-quality display, and a less versatile camera system.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: Outstanding performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a stunning AMOLED display with high refresh rate and brightness, a far more versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors and optical zoom, and much faster charging.
- Competitive Advantage: Top-tier specifications that are suitable for high performance, and professional photography/videography.
- Trade-offs: The smaller battery capacity might lead to slightly shorter battery life compared to the Y70 Plus and has a slightly heavier body.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Best For: Users who prioritize battery life above all else, with a very limited budget. Ideal for casual use: web browsing, social media, and basic apps.
- Use Cases: Daily drivers for basic tasks, long periods away from charging, those who rarely use demanding apps or games.
- Recommendation: If budget is your primary constraint and performance is not a priority, the Y70 Plus will do the basics.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best For: Power users who demand top-tier performance, gamers, photographers, videographers, and anyone wanting a premium display experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, high-end multitasking, professional photo and video creation, watching high-resolution content.
- Recommendation: If you value performance, screen quality, camera versatility, and fast charging, and budget is not the biggest concern, the Axon 40 Ultra is a clear winner.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, consider these questions:
- What is my primary use case? If it's mainly basic browsing, the Y70 Plus might suffice. For anything demanding, the Axon 40 Ultra is essential.
- How important is display quality? If you value crisp visuals, deep blacks, and brightness, the Axon 40 Ultra is the only real option.
- How important is camera versatility? For casual shots, the Y70 Plus is okay, but if you want zoom, low-light performance and higher video quality the Axon 40 Ultra is the far superior device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious User: If your budget is the main factor, the Y70 Plus is the more affordable option but be prepared for a significant drop in performance, display and camera quality.
- High-Performance User: If you game, use demanding apps, or value a smooth experience, the Axon 40 Ultra is the only way to go.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Axon 40 Ultra offers a far more advanced camera system, suitable for demanding photography needs.
- Battery Life Warrior: While the Y70 Plus might have a longer battery life due to the larger capacity, the Axon 40 Ultra's fast charging means that this isn't the largest concern for most people.
My Choice
If it were my money, I would absolutely choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and smartphone enthusiast, performance is paramount. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Axon 40 Ultra is on a completely different level compared to the Kirin 710A. I’d take the incredible screen, the vastly more powerful camera, and the fast charging every time. The battery life trade-off would be acceptable because I know I'll always have the quick charge option. While the Y70 Plus has its appeal due to its potentially longer battery life and lower cost, it is very much outclassed by the Axon 40 Ultra in almost every metric. For the price, the Axon 40 Ultra's features are worth it and will last you for years to come.
