1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and thicker, may feel slightly less comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 177g | 204g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | ZTE offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has slightly sharper screen, but not noticeable to the naked eye. |
| PPI | 411 | 400 | Similar pixel density, both screens are sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar display tech, vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE offers much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE offers much faster processing, smoother multitasking and much better gaming experience. |
| Antutu Score | 409,874 | 1,061,300 | ZTE provides drastically better performance, handling intensive tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | ZTE is superior GPU, enabling smooth and graphically intensive games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life with similar usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ZTE charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", OV64B, 0.70 µm | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787, 0.70 µm | ZTE captures more light (wider aperture, larger sensor), resulting in better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0 µm | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision, 1.22 µm | ZTE selfie camera captures more light and has larger pixels, resulting in better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", OV64B, 0.70 µm | ZTE has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25, Unknown | None | Realme has dedicated wide angle lens, useful for capturing wide landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | Realme offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP, Unknown | ZTE offers a dedicated Time of Flight 3D sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787, 0.70 µm | ZTE has dedicated a wide angle + macro lens useful for capturing wide and close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | Realme offers dedicated black & white lens for monochrome shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p up to 120fps | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 4K up to 120fps | ZTE records higher quality videos (8K and HDR support) offering more versatile video options. ZTE supports OIS and EIS vs only EIS on Realme. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | Extensive features: OIS, PDAF, LAF, Under Display Camera, RAW | ZTE offers advanced camera features like optical zoom, RAW, OIS and superior autofocus, providing more creative control. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | ZTE offers newer Android version and guaranteed upgrade, which also adds improved security and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | ZTE has faster Wi-Fi speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ZTE offers slightly better Bluetooth connectivity with minor performance improvements. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | ZTE has more accurate GPS tracking with dual-band L1+L5 support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Standard Dual SIM Support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | ZTE has much more storage options available, which is good for users with extensive data. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | ZTE has significantly more RAM, better for multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | ZTE provides a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Standard biometric security feature. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Both phones have advanced sensors. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter at 177g compared to 204g, offering better comfort for prolonged use.
- Dedicated Wide Angle & Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for diverse photography needs.
- Dedicated Black and White Lens: Offers a dedicated black and white lens for monochrome shots.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers significantly higher processing power and graphics performance, ideal for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Larger, Smoother Display: 6.8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness for a better viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, wider aperture on the main camera, more advanced autofocus (PDAF and LAF), and 8K video recording capabilities. It also has OIS for better video and photo stabilization.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging for much quicker power-ups.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM capacity (up to 18 GB) and internal storage (up to 1 TB) for better multitasking and storage needs.
- Better Audio: DTS/DTS X and stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer Android version (12, upgradable to 13).
- Advanced GPS: Dual band GPS for better location accuracy.
- Under Display Camera: Unique under display camera which allows for true full screen display.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8 is lighter and has dedicated macro and ultrawide lenses, however, it has much lower performance, a lower quality display, slower charging and lower quality cameras.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is heavier and lacks dedicated macro and wide angle lens compared to Realme 8 and the cost is likely to be much higher.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual photographers: Values the inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for everyday photography.
- Users who prioritize light weight: Those looking for a phone that is lighter and easier to handle.
- Basic smartphone users: Those who use their phone for basic tasks, social media, and light media consumption.
Use Cases:
- Everyday phone usage with social media, browsing, and streaming.
- Casual photography with basic editing.
- Longer battery life during less demanding tasks.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and users who demand top performance.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality with advanced features like optical zoom, and 8K video.
- Media consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, movies and playing games, and value a larger, smoother, and brighter screen.
- Professionals: Users who require better performance and audio quality from their phone.
- Users who prefer full screen experience: Users who prioritize full screen display with an under display front facing camera.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming and demanding mobile applications.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Immersive media consumption and content creation.
- Heavy multitasking with many open apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Realme 8 is likely to be significantly more affordable, while the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a premium device.
- How important is performance and gaming? The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is vastly superior for performance-intensive tasks and gaming.
- What are my camera priorities? Realme 8 offers a dedicated wide and macro lens, while the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a telephoto, better video and advanced camera features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious User: If the budget is the primary concern, and you only need a basic phone, then Realme 8 is the logical choice.
- Scenario 2: High-Performance User: If you need the best possible performance and camera features, then the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you need a balance of performance and price, it depends on the feature priorities. However, the Realme 8 has significantly lower performance, hence, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is still the better option.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Realme 8 is a decent budget phone with dedicated macro and ultrawide lens, its lack of performance, slower charging, lower quality display and less capable cameras, make it hard to recommend. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, on the other hand, provides a vastly superior experience in almost all categories: superior performance, much better display, better cameras, faster charging, and more storage and RAM, making it a great choice even for a demanding user. Although it's heavier and lacks dedicated macro and ultrawide lens compared to Realme 8, it's more than made up for with its superior performance and features. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra’s ability to handle demanding tasks and its enhanced camera capabilities make it a much more compelling device for anyone not severely restricted by budget. The inclusion of OIS, PDAF, LAF, along with 8K video and a telephoto lens, sets it significantly apart in terms of versatility and quality.
