1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Oppo Find X3 Neo and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 72.5 x 8 mm | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | ZTE is taller, wider, and thicker, making it feel slightly bulkier. Oppo is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 184g | 204g | Oppo is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use, less tiring. ZTE may feel more substantial in hand. |
Display
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | ZTE has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has slightly sharper details, though the difference is subtle due to similar pixel density. |
| PPI | 402 | 400 | Both have high pixel density, ensuring very sharp visuals; differences are negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles; No practical difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE provides smoother scrolling and animations, a noticeable difference for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE is much brighter outdoors, significantly improving screen visibility in bright sunlight. Oppo may struggle under harsh light conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE's newer chip offers significantly better performance and power efficiency. Faster app loading, better gaming, and smoother overall experience. |
| Antutu Score | 743,500 | 1,061,300 | ZTE scores significantly higher, showing a major performance advantage. This translates to noticeably better overall snappiness and less lag. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | ZTE's GPU provides enhanced graphics performance for demanding games and applications, leading to a smoother gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.0µm) | 64MP (f/1.6, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787, 0.7µm) | ZTE has higher resolution and a wider aperture for better low-light performance. Oppo has a larger sensor and bigger pixel size which usually provides better light capture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.4, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615, 0.8µm) | 16MP (f/2.0, 1.22µm, Omnivision) | Oppo has higher resolution. ZTE has a wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low-light and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP (f/2.4, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3M5, 1.0µm) | 64MP (f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B, 0.7µm) | ZTE offers a far superior telephoto zoom due to much higher resolution and larger sensor size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP (f/2.2) | None | Oppo offers more flexibility with a dedicated wide-angle lens for group photos and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm) | None | Oppo has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, but it's lower resolution is less useful. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3 MP | ZTE includes a ToF 3D sensor for improved depth sensing for portraits, but may not be practically used for common photography use cases. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 64MP (f/2.3, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787, 0.7µm) | ZTE has an ultrawide lens that doubles as a macro, providing flexibility and higher quality than the Oppo macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps with HDR, EIS, | ZTE offers superior video capabilities with 8K and 4K@120fps recording, suitable for professional and more advanced users. |
| DXOMark | Main: 106 / Photo: 104 / Video: 106 | Not Available | Oppo camera performance was rated positively by DXOMark, but the ZTE camera remains untested. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, CDAF, Dual shot, 4K Video | OIS, PDAF, LAF, Under display camera, RAW, 4K & 8K Video | ZTE offers more professional features such as 8K video, RAW capture and Laser Auto Focus. Oppo has Dual Shot feature for simultaneous capture with front and back cameras. |
Battery
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | ZTE has a larger battery, generally meaning longer battery life and less frequent charging. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both offer fast charging, quickly replenishing the battery. Charging speeds are similar between the two. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-Removable | Non-Removable | Oppo allows you to use the phone as a power bank. ZTE lacks reverse charging. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | ZTE has newer software with more recent features and security updates. Oppo may receive fewer and slower updates. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Both offer similar Wi-Fi functionality, supporting fast and stable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.2, LE, A2DP | ZTE's Bluetooth 5.2 is slightly newer with minor performance benefits. Oppo supports more audio codecs for better wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | Both offer precise navigation, though ZTE may offer marginally more accurate positioning in certain scenarios due to multi-frequency GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both devices support dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two numbers in one device. |
Storage, Audio, Security & Other
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1024GB | ZTE offers significantly higher storage options, important for users who store lots of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/18GB | ZTE provides higher RAM options, improving performance for multitasking and running demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE provides enhanced surround sound and better voice capture, but Oppo provides Hi-Res audio for better music experience. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security via a fingerprint sensor, with no apparent difference in performance. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo offers a more durable screen for enhanced protection. The ZTE screen is unknown and it may be more susceptible to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Hall, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Oppo has a compass for direction and navigation, While the ZTE has a Hall sensor which detects the presence of magnets for accessories or functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Neo Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for prolonged use and easier to handle.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better screen durability.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Offers greater versatility for photography.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Better audio quality for audiophiles.
- More audio codecs support on Bluetooth
- Dual Shot Camera Mode
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers far better performance, particularly for gaming and demanding apps.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience (120Hz vs 90Hz).
- Much Higher Brightness: Significantly better visibility outdoors, especially in sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life.
- Superior Telephoto Camera: Much better zoom capabilities.
- 8K Video Recording: Professional-grade video capture capabilities.
- Better Selfie Camera in low light: Larger pixel size and wider aperture provides much better low light performance.
- More internal storage and RAM options
- Better audio features with DTS support and 3 microphones
- Newer Android OS
- Laser Auto Focus
- RAW image capture
- Wider Aperture Main camera
Trade-offs
- Oppo: Loses out on processor power, display smoothness and brightness, and battery life compared to ZTE, but offers a more compact design and wider angle lens.
- ZTE: Loses out on dedicated wide angle lens, reverse charging, a lighter and more compact form factor, a slightly older version of bluetooth, Hi-Res Audio and might be less durable without screen protection specification.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Neo:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a lightweight, compact phone with a versatile camera, and are willing to sacrifice top-tier performance.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, social media, general photography, travel photography, and users who value wireless reverse charging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a good balance of features for the price point.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, content creators who need the best performance, excellent display, and advanced camera features.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, content creation, professional photography and video, users that need lots of internal storage and battery life.
- Price-to-Value: Provides exceptional performance for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help decide:
- How important is processing power?
- If you primarily use your phone for calls, browsing, social media and general photography, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is adequate.
- If you game heavily, edit videos, or run demanding apps, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better choice.
- How important is a larger battery and outdoor screen visibility?
- If you're constantly on the go, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's longer battery life and brighter screen will be a significant advantage.
- If you mainly use your phone indoors, this difference is less critical.
- What kind of photography do you do?
- If you frequently take wide-angle photos, the Oppo Find X3 Neo has the edge.
- If you need superior zoom and professional video capabilities, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is much better.
Scenario Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is suitable for daily use, due to its more compact design and it's lower price, assuming that its available at a much cheaper price than the ZTE.
- Scenario 2: Power User: If you're a gamer or content creator, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner for its superior performance, display, battery life and camera quality.
- Scenario 3: Photographer: The decision is more nuanced. If you primarily take wide angle pictures or like reverse wireless charging, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is the better option. If you prioritize zoom and video quality, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra will suit your needs.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. The significant performance increase offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, the brighter 120Hz display, the larger battery, and the superior telephoto lens and video recording capabilities make it the better option for my needs. I value smooth performance, great image quality and the ability to capture quality video. The absence of a dedicated wide-angle lens on the ZTE is a tradeoff, but the gains in other areas outweigh this for my preferences. The higher storage and ram options is also beneficial to my needs.
