1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and thinner; OnePlus is slightly wider. Differences are not dramatic, might influence in-hand feel slightly. |
| Weight | 192g | 204g | OnePlus 9 is 12g lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | ZTE offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has a slightly sharper display, though the difference might be subtle in real-world use. |
| PPI | 402 | 400 | Both have very similar pixel density; sharpness is virtually identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; suitable for gaming and media consumption. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE provides significantly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE has a newer, more efficient chip, likely resulting in better sustained performance and slightly improved battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,061,300 | ZTE has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating better overall performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | ZTE's newer GPU offers improved graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ZTE's larger battery should provide noticeably longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Both offer rapid charging, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging | No Wireless Charging | OnePlus 9 offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | ZTE has a higher resolution sensor and wider aperture; OnePlus has a larger sensor, which can be better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 16MP, f/2.0 | ZTE has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | ZTE offers optical zoom capabilities which OnePlus lacks |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | None | OnePlus offers a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for landscape shots, which ZTE lacks. |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | 0.3MP, | ZTE uses a time-of-flight sensor for enhanced portrait mode, depth and focus. OnePlus lacks this sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" | ZTE has a Wide Angle + Macro lens. OnePlus lacks this feature. |
| Black & white | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus includes a dedicated monochrome sensor, potentially offering better black and white images. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Both offer high-resolution video recording capabilities, but ZTE offers optical image stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Triple, OIS, EIS, Manual mode, RAW 12bit | Quadruple, OIS, EIS, Optical zoom, Under display Camera, RAW | ZTE has optical stabilization for steadier shots and videos; includes under-display camera which OnePlus lacks. OnePlus offers RAW 12bit for better editing. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12, Upgradable to 13 | ZTE has a newer starting OS version which has implications for performance and features. Both devices can reach android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band | Both support high-speed WiFi, ensuring fast data transfers. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, LE, aptX, LDAC | Bluetooth 5.2, LE | OnePlus has better audio codecs for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | Comprehensive satellite support | Slightly less comprehensive GPS support | OnePlus potentially offers more accurate location tracking in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1024GB | ZTE offers more storage options including a much larger 1TB option, suitable for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/18GB | ZTE offers more RAM, particularly for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio with stereo speakers; OnePlus has Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation while ZTE has DTS/DTS X. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor based biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus offers superior screen protection compared to ZTE's unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | OnePlus offers a compass while ZTE has Gravity and Hall sensors for more comprehensive use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Lighter and Slightly More Compact: Easier to handle for some users.
- Wireless Charging: Provides added convenience.
- Better Audio Codec Support: aptX and LDAC for higher quality wireless audio.
- Dedicated wide-angle camera: Dedicated 50MP ultrawide for higher quality wide-angle photography.
- RAW 12bit: Better editing capabilities for professional photographers.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection against drops and scratches.
- Compass Sensor: Offers enhanced GPS capabilities.
- Dolby Atmos and Noise cancellation: Offers better sound quality and clearer calls.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 for better performance and battery efficiency.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Demonstrates superior overall performance capabilities.
- Larger Display with Higher Brightness: Better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life, suitable for heavy users.
- Telephoto Camera with Optical Zoom: Allows for better zooming capabilities.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Including 1TB storage and 18 GB RAM for power users.
- Under-display camera: Provides an uninterrupted, full screen experience.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: Enhanced Macro photography capabilities.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Better for steadier shots and videos.
- Time-of-flight 3D Sensor: Provides better portrait photography with enhanced depth and focus.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Trades performance and battery for wireless charging, lighter build, and Dolby Atmos.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Trades better audio quality and a dedicated wide-angle camera for superior performance, battery life, and optical zoom capabilities.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Missing screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Users who prioritize a lighter, more compact device with wireless charging.
- Users who value high-quality wireless audio.
- Users who prioritize having a dedicated wide-angle lens camera and better editing capabilities.
- Users who require a compass for outdoor navigation.
- Users who prioritize Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation for enhanced audio experience.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Daily use for those who prefer a lighter phone.
- Users who frequently listen to music via wireless headphones.
- General purpose photography.
- Outdoor activities requiring precise GPS and compass.
- Users who value sound quality.
Ideal User for ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance and a large display.
- Gamers and power users requiring more RAM and Storage.
- Users who want optical zoom capabilities in their camera.
- Users who require all-day battery life and fast charging.
- Users who want the best display experience including an uninterrupted screen experience.
- Users that value macro photography capabilities.
- Users that prioritize stabilization in their photography.
Specific Use Cases for ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Heavy media consumption, like movies and videos.
- Photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom and macro capabilities.
- Business professionals needing high performance.
- Users needing all day battery life for extended use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your main use case? (Gaming, photography, daily use, media consumption?)
- Do you prioritize battery life or wireless charging?
- Do you need professional photography features or enhanced stabilization/optical zoom?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers/Power Users: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner with its superior chipset, GPU, more RAM, larger battery, and better display.
- For Casual Users Needing a Balanced Phone: The OnePlus 9 offers a good balance of features but the Axon 40 Ultra offers more in most key aspects.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is better suited with its optical zoom capabilities and advanced stabilization.
- For Music Lovers Using Wireless Headphones: The OnePlus 9 provides better audio codecs and superior sound quality, while offering a dedicated wide-angle lens.
- For Extended Use and Battery Reliability: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a better option with its much larger battery.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would go with the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the OnePlus 9 has appealing features like wireless charging and Dolby Atmos, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's superior performance, larger and brighter screen, significantly better battery life, and vastly better camera features make it a more versatile and powerful device for my needs. The newer chipset, higher RAM, and better storage options provide a significant performance boost which outweighs the loss of wireless charging. Its Optical zoom, macro and stabilization features are also a big plus. Although the OnePlus 9 has a great sensor, the added versatility of ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's telephoto and ultrawide + macro makes it better for more versatile photography. The absence of a specified screen protection on the ZTE is a concern but I'd be comfortable with a screen protector, considering the phone's overall superiority.
