1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is more compact, potentially easier to handle, and slightly thinner for a sleeker feel. |
| Weight | 215g | 204g | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a moderately sharper display, resulting in slightly clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 400 PPI | Both have a very similar pixel density, meaning the difference in sharpness is minimal and barely noticeable. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast, making it superior for media consumption and overall visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing fluid animations and scrolling, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has drastically better visibility under bright sunlight, making it much more usable outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a much newer and more powerful chipset, resulting in significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 1,061,300 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers dramatically better overall performance, handling demanding apps and multitasking much more efficiently. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 730 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" sensor | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's main camera offers better low-light performance due to its larger sensor and wider aperture, and slightly more detail with a higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.22 µm pixel size | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's selfie camera may offer better low light performance due to its larger pixel size, but slightly less detail as it has a lower resolution |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" sensor | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, lacking in the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra includes a ToF 3D sensor for depth sensing, aiding in portrait mode, and improved AR experiences. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" sensor | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra features a 64MP ultrawide that can also do macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly higher video recording capabilities, including 8K recording and higher frame rates at 4K, great for videographers and content creators. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a wider array of features for camera control, including features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and RAW capture, that are advantageous for enthusiast photographers. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, resulting in less time plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones share these battery features: Non-removable |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Lower Price: The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is typically more affordable, making it a good option for budget-conscious buyers.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated wide angle camera for capturing large scenes.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated Macro lens for close up photography
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
- Screen Protection: Known screen protection from Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
- Audio Features: Hi-Res audio support.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display is brighter, more vibrant, and offers better contrast.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a major performance boost.
- Better Main Camera: The main camera has better low-light performance thanks to its larger sensor and wider aperture.
- Telephoto Lens: The inclusion of a telephoto lens provides better zoom capabilities.
- Higher Quality Video: Records video at up to 8K resolution at 30 fps, as well as 4K at 120fps.
- Much Faster Charging: 65W charging is almost twice as fast as 33W charging.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Offers significantly higher RAM and storage capacities.
- Advanced Camera Features: OIS, RAW capture, under-display camera.
- Advanced Audio: DTS/DTS X, enhanced microphones.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Depth sensing, aiding in portrait mode, and improved AR experiences.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Combines wide and macro shots with a single 64MP lens.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards, and enhanced GPS.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: Trades performance, display, and camera quality for a lower price and dedicated wide and macro lenses.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Sacrifices a dedicated wide angle camera and a macro camera for a telephoto camera and more versatility in its main and ultrawide lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users looking for good performance for the price.
- Users who prefer having a dedicated wide angle and macro lens.
- Casual gamers and users who don't require the highest levels of performance.
- Users who prefer LCD screen technology, such as those who are sensitive to PWM dimming.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, social media browsing, web surfing, and moderate gaming.
- Capturing a variety of shots using the dedicated macro and wide angle lenses.
- Long battery life with the 5160 mAh battery.
- Users who prioritize basic features over premium quality.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra - Ideal User:
- Performance enthusiasts who want the best possible experience for gaming and demanding applications.
- Users who prefer and value the rich color and contrast of AMOLED screens.
- Users who take many photos and videos and value high-quality output with a range of zoom options.
- Users who value fast charging for less time spent tethered to a charger.
- Users who want the best possible connectivity options.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at high settings, video editing, and multitasking.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Users who need a premium display for media consumption.
- Users who need large internal storage for media and files.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? Is price a major constraint, or are you willing to spend more for a premium experience?
- What are your primary use cases? Will you mostly browse social media, or do you need high-end performance for gaming and content creation?
- How important is camera quality to you? Do you prioritize high-quality photos and video, or are you happy with basic performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you are on a tight budget and need a capable phone for everyday use, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a solid choice.
- Performance User: If you need the best possible performance for gaming, content creation, and other demanding tasks, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the superior option.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you are a mobile photographer who values zoom capabilities and high-quality video, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner.
- General User: If you value a good all-around experience and are willing to spend more for premium features, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better buy.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
My reasoning is based on the following factors:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers a significant performance advantage, which is important for longevity and demanding tasks, such as gaming and video editing.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with high brightness offers a much more enjoyable viewing experience, which is critical for everyday usage.
- Enhanced Camera Capabilities: The addition of optical zoom capabilities through the telephoto lens, along with the superior low-light performance of the main sensor, would make the Axon 40 Ultra a more versatile and effective camera phone for my purposes. The ability to shoot 8K video is also a nice bonus.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging capability of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra would provide a much more convenient charging experience, saving a lot of time.
- Premium Experience: The combination of faster performance, superior display, advanced camera features, and newer software, make it a higher quality device that will last longer and provide a better overall experience.
While the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers good value for its price, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's superior performance, display, camera, and features offer a better overall user experience that is worth the additional cost for me.
The lack of a dedicated wide angle lens is unfortunate, but the main ultrawide is still very capable, and I value the versatility of a zoom lens, and superior image quality overall, more.
