1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 76.4 × 9.3 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | The Axon 40 Ultra is more compact, which can make it easier to handle, especially for users with smaller hands. The Mi 10T Pro is noticeably thicker. |
| Weight | 218g | 204g | The Axon 40 Ultra is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Mi 10T Pro 5G offers known scratch and drop resistance due to Gorilla Glass 5. The Axon 40 Ultra's screen protection is unknown, implying potentially less durability. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | The Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, which could enhance media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a slightly sharper image, although the difference may not be noticeable to everyone. |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Both have similar pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | The Mi 10T Pro 5G offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. Gamers might appreciate the higher refresh rate, though the difference from 120Hz is often marginal. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra has significantly higher brightness, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. The 0 nits for the Mi 10T Pro is likely an error, but the Axon 40 Ultra is still expected to perform better outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Axon 40 Ultra has a newer, more powerful chipset, which translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 750,829 | 1,061,300 | The Axon 40 Ultra scores significantly higher, indicating a noticeable performance advantage. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | The Axon 40 Ultra's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 64MP | While the Mi 10T Pro 5G has higher resolution, the Axon 40 Ultra might offer better image processing and dynamic range due to its newer sensor and image processing capabilities. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.72" | Mi 10T Pro has a larger sensor, which can capture more light and improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP | The Axon 40 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in shots. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 13MP | 64MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution ultrawide lens, allowing for more detailed wide-angle shots. It also functions as a macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | No | The Mi 10T Pro 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | The Mi 10T Pro 5G has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Both offer excellent video recording capabilities, but the Axon 40 Ultra's 4K@120fps can be useful for high-quality slow-motion footage. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, OIS | Quadruple camera, OIS, Under-display camera | The Axon 40 Ultra boasts an under-display camera, offering a notch-free viewing experience. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | The Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 (upgradeable to 11) | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | The Axon 40 Ultra has a more recent OS, which includes the latest features and security updates. |
| Storage Options | 128/256GB | 128/256/512/1024GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers more storage options, including a massive 1TB variant, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display offers slightly smoother visuals for gaming and scrolling (marginal difference).
- Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 which ensures better protection
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Provides a dedicated lens for macro photography.
Practical Implications:
- The 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother motion, beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.
- The dedicated macro lens offers detailed close-up shots without needing to rely on software enhancements.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Newer, More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers superior performance in demanding tasks.
- AMOLED Display: Provides vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Under-Display Camera: Offers a notch-free, immersive display.
- Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities.
- Higher Resolution Ultrawide Lens: Offers more detail in ultrawide shots.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a more up-to-date OS and likely longer software support.
Practical Implications:
- The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 ensures smooth performance in games and resource-intensive apps.
- The AMOLED display enhances the viewing experience, especially for media consumption.
- Faster charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- The under-display camera provides an uninterrupted viewing experience.
- The telephoto lens enables higher-quality zoomed-in photos compared to digital zoom.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G: Older chipset, IPS LCD display.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Unknown screen protection, no dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G - Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: If available at a significantly lower price than the Axon 40 Ultra, it offers good value for its performance.
- Users prioritizing a slightly smoother display experience: If the 144Hz refresh rate is crucial.
- Users prioritizing a dedicated macro lens.
Use Cases:
- Gaming (if price is a major factor).
- General everyday use.
- Macro photography enthusiasts.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra - Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 ensures a smooth and responsive experience.
- Media consumers: The AMOLED display and larger screen enhance the viewing experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: The telephoto lens and high-resolution ultrawide lens offer versatility.
- Users who value a modern design: The under-display camera offers a seamless look.
Use Cases:
- Gaming (for high-performance gaming).
- Watching videos and movies (AMOLED display advantage).
- Photography (telephoto and high-resolution ultrawide lenses).
- Professional use (reliable performance and large storage options).
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- If the price difference is substantial, the Mi 10T Pro 5G might be a better value for users with basic needs.
- The Axon 40 Ultra offers better overall value due to its superior performance, display, and camera system if the budget allows.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a major constraint, the Mi 10T Pro 5G may be the only option.
- How important is display quality? If you value vibrant colors and deep blacks, the Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED display is superior.
- What are your performance needs? If you play demanding games or multitask heavily, the Axon 40 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with Limited Budget: Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G (if significantly cheaper)
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Scenario 4: Media Consumer: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Mi 10T Pro 5G has its merits, the Axon 40 Ultra offers a superior overall experience. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor provides significantly better performance, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming. The AMOLED display is a major upgrade, offering vibrant colors and deeper blacks that enhance media consumption. The faster charging is a practical benefit, reducing downtime. While the absence of a dedicated macro lens is a minor drawback, the overall camera system with the telephoto and high-resolution ultrawide lens offers greater versatility. Finally, the under-display camera is a nice bonus, providing a more immersive viewing experience. For me, the improvements in display, performance, and camera outweigh the slightly higher price (assuming it's not excessively higher) and the lack of Corning Gorilla Glass screen protection (I would get a screen protector anyways).
