Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly larger, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. The Axon 40 Ultra is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 204g | The Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | S21 Ultra likely has better screen scratch and shatter resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both phones offer the same large screen size for immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1116 x 2480 | S21 Ultra's higher resolution results in significantly sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 515 | 400 | S21 Ultra's display appears crisper and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Both are easily viewable even in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Axon 40 Ultra’s chipset is newer, offering slightly faster processing and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,061,300 | Axon 40 Ultra scores significantly higher, translating to snappier performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Axon 40 Ultra's GPU generally performs better in demanding games and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP (f/1.8, 1/1.33") | 64MP (f/1.6, 1/1.72") | S21 Ultra's sensor has a higher resolution and is larger. Axon has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light but a smaller sensor and less resolution. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 10.8MP (f/2.4, 1/2.65") | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated lens for portrait shots with optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP (f/2.2, 1/2.65") | 16MP (f/2.0) | S21 Ultra has a much higher resolution front camera for more detailed selfies, Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP (f/4.9, 1/2.65") | 64MP (f/3.5, 1/2") | Axon 40 Ultra offers a much higher resolution and a larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | 64MP (f/2.3, 1/1.72") | Axon 40 Ultra has significantly higher resolution and a larger sensor for wide angle and macro photography. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Axon 40 Ultra has a depth sensor which can enhance some applications. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer similar high-quality video recording, but Axon has a higher frame rate of 30fps at 8K |
| DXOMark Mobile | 115 | Not tested | S21 Ultra has a tested and validated camera, whereas the Axon 40 Ultra does not. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 135 | Not tested | S21 Ultra has a tested and validated selfie camera, whereas the Axon 40 Ultra does not. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra offers additional charging flexibility. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 12, Upgradeable to 13 | Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly newer base OS, but the Samsung is upgradable to a more recent Android. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | Axon 40 Ultra offers a 1TB option for users needing maximum storage. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has options for more RAM, which is better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Other Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation | DTS/ DTS X | S21 Ultra provides slightly superior audio quality for those who value it |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer similar, fast wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, many codecs | 5.2, basic codecs | S21 Ultra provides more advanced audio connectivity features. |
| GPS | L1+L5, Galileo (E1+E5a) | L1+L5, GLONASS(L1) | Both are accurate, S21 Ultra provides more accurate tracking with more satellite networks. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer | None | S21 Ultra offers more advanced sensors for environmental data and advanced features |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density provide a visibly crisper and more detailed display.
- More Advanced Camera System: Features a dedicated telephoto lens, higher-resolution selfie camera, and laser autofocus, offering more flexibility in different shooting scenarios.
- Better Camera Scores: DXOMark testing confirms better camera quality for photos and videos.
- Additional Charging Options: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging offer added convenience.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, and a noise-canceling mic, offer better sound and clearer calls
- Superior Build Quality Offers Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection for more durability
- Better Sensor Package: Compass and barometer provide more functionality in applications and games.
- Advanced Bluetooth Options: Better audio profiles with aptX, SBC, etc
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster, which is a major advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and higher AnTuTu score provide better processing and graphics power.
- Larger Storage Option: 1 TB storage option caters to users with vast media libraries and storage needs.
- More RAM: Up to 18GB RAM for smooth multitasking, and is more optimized for the operating system.
- Under Display Camera Innovative under display camera offers an uninterrupted screen.
- Better Telephoto Lens: Much higher resolution and larger sensor for better telephoto photos.
- Better Wide Angle Lens: Higher resolution and a larger sensor for better wide angle and macro photography.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Lower processing power, slower charging, less storage, and less RAM for multitasking in comparison to Axon 40 Ultra.
- Axon 40 Ultra: Less versatile camera system, lower screen resolution, lacks wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with excellent zoom capabilities, higher quality photos, better video quality, and superior selfie capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who prioritize a high-resolution, crisp, and vibrant display for enjoying high-quality videos, images, and games.
- Samsung Ecosystem Users: Those who value the Samsung ecosystem, user experience and seamless integration with other Samsung devices.
Users with an emphasis on audio quality: Those who want enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion.
- Use Case: Capturing detailed, high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios, enjoying high-resolution media content, and those who use the phone in environments where high quality audio is crucial.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal Users
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- Do you prioritize display quality or performance? If display sharpness is paramount, the S21 Ultra is the better choice; if performance is key, the Axon 40 Ultra is superior.
- How important is fast charging and storage? If you need very fast charging or need a vast amount of storage the Axon is the clear winner.
- What are your camera priorities? If you want a more versatile camera with zoom, better selfies, and a validated score, the S21 Ultra wins, but if you want higher resolution and bigger sensor images with wide angle and telephoto zoom capabilities, then the Axon 40 Ultra is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: The Photographer: If photography is a critical requirement and you value a tested and verified camera system with a higher resolution front camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better option despite its age.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you need top-tier performance, fast charging, and a lot of storage the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the right choice despite having a lower resolution screen.
- Scenario 3: The General User: If you don't have a strong preference for either display quality, camera, storage or performance, consider which feature set better fits your particular use case, or if either is available for a price you are willing to pay.
- Scenario 4: The Tech Experimenter: If you want to have the latest technology and experiment, the Axon 40 Ultra will fit your needs better with its innovative under-display camera and higher RAM option.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would lean towards the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, despite it having a lower screen resolution and not having wireless charging. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a superior screen, better tested cameras, and more features, my current use case priorities are as follows: The Axon 40 Ultra's faster charging is a massive convenience for me, not needing to be plugged in for a long time. Secondly, the performance boost of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and more RAM means it will be a snappier experience, and that is important to me. Lastly, I like to try new tech and the under-display camera of the Axon 40 Ultra fits the bill. I'm also on a budget so the fact that the Axon 40 Ultra offers the same, if not better specs, for less money makes it an easier purchase. If I was a professional photographer who needed excellent photos and videos every time, then I would reconsider the Samsung S21 Ultra.
