Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro. I’ll be breaking this down with my typical focus on how these specs translate into real-world use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2022-09-16 | The iPhone is about four months newer, so it might have some slight software advantages. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones. |
| Physical Size | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm | The Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably larger and thicker, which might feel less comfortable in smaller hands and pockets. |
| Weight | 204g | 206g | Both are similarly weighted, which is good for comparison purposes. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | The Axon 40 Ultra has a larger display, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1179x2556 | The iPhone has a slightly sharper screen, making small text and details appear clearer. |
| PPI | 400 | 460 | The iPhone has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper and clearer image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar high-quality display tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone has significantly better outdoor visibility, making it more usable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The iPhone’s A16 chip is faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, delivering better performance in intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,474,011 | The iPhone scores significantly higher in benchmarks, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The Apple GPU generally provides better graphics performance in demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3200mAh | The Axon 40 Ultra has a much larger battery, which will likely lead to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 20W fast charging | The Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, great for quickly topping up the battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, MagSafe & Qi wireless charging | The iPhone offers the convenience of wireless charging with MagSafe and Qi standards. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Res | 64MP | 48MP | The Axon has a higher megapixel count on paper, but larger sensor size often trumps resolution when it comes to overall photo quality. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.78 | The Axon 40 Ultra has slightly wider aperture, which should perform a little better in low light conditions but the sensor plays the bigger role here. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.72" | 1/1.3" | The iPhone has a larger sensor, that should provide better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 16MP | 12MP | The Axon has slightly higher megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.9 | The iPhone has wider aperture, letting in more light for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Camera Res | 64MP | 12MP | The Axon boasts a much higher megapixel count in its telephoto lens. |
| Telephoto Camera Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | The iPhone's telephoto lens has wider aperture and should let in more light and provide better quality in lower light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | The iPhone has a wide-angle lens which the Axon does not. |
| ToF 3D sensor | 0.3MP | None | The Axon includes a 3D Time of Flight sensor for depth sensing. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | 64MP f/2.3, 1/1.72" sensor | None | Axon 40 Ultra includes a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Axon can shoot higher resolution video, but the iPhone’s video quality is still excellent. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 146, Selfie 145 | The iPhone’s DxOMark scores highlight strong camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | iOS 16 (upgradable to 18) | Different OS ecosystems. Android provides more customization; iOS is known for its ease of use and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | The iPhone has slightly newer Bluetooth version with enhanced features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both offer similar GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The iPhone provides more flexibility with eSIM capability, but the Axon can have 2 physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB - 1024GB | 128GB - 1024GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB - 18GB | 6GB | Axon has significantly more RAM, better for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | The iPhone offers enhanced audio features like Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The Axon has a fingerprint sensor which is missing from the iphone, but the iPhone provides strong security through its Face ID system. |
| Sensors | |||
| Main Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | The iPhone includes an environmental sensor. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Strengths:
- Larger Display: The 6.8" screen is excellent for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery offers a potential advantage for users who need their phone to last all day.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging will get you back up and running in a very short amount of time.
- Higher-Resolution Telephoto Lens: Although aperture is less, the 64MP telephoto camera gives you more flexibility with zooms.
- More RAM: Up to 18GB of RAM allows for heavy multitasking and demanding games.
- Under-display camera: Gives a true all-screen experience.
- Versatile Camera setup: The Axon has a unique triple 64 MP camera setup with a macro camera and a time-of-flight sensor for depth sensing.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Strengths:
- More Powerful Chipset: The A16 Bionic chip offers superior performance, especially for intensive tasks and gaming.
- Better Display Quality: Higher pixel density (460 ppi vs 400 ppi) and brightness lead to a sharper display with better outdoor visibility.
- Superior Image Quality: Although the sensor is smaller, the Apple processing gives outstanding image quality with the wide-angle sensor.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation microphone for better audio experience and clearer calls.
- Premium Features: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, as well as a more up-to-date Bluetooth version.
- Polished Ecosystem: The seamlessness of iOS is very refined and has great app compatibility.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Axon 40 Ultra: Lacks wireless charging and a dedicated wide-angle lens. The larger size can be cumbersome for some users.
- iPhone 14 Pro: Smaller battery and slower charging compared to the Axon, and it relies on a dual SIM with one eSIM.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is best for:
- Media Lovers: Users who prioritize a large display for watching videos, gaming, or reading.
- Heavy Users: People who need a phone with a large battery that can last the whole day and charge quickly.
- Multitaskers: Users who juggle multiple apps and need lots of RAM for smooth performance.
- Camera Enthusiasts: People who want a high resolution telephoto camera and a very versatile camera system with macro capabilities.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro is best for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who value top-tier performance for gaming, editing, and other intensive tasks.
- Photo and Video Buffs: Users who need the most reliable and highest quality camera setup with the very best integration to video editing applications and quick social sharing.
- Ecosystem Users: People deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem (MacBook, iPad) who prefer iOS for its ease of use and security.
- Those Who Value Screen Quality: Users who need a bright and sharp screen with very good outdoor visibility.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Do I need the absolute best performance, or is good enough sufficient? If the answer is "absolute best", the iPhone is better. If the answer is "good enough", then the Axon 40 Ultra is great.
- What is more important: screen real estate or one-handed usability? If you need a larger display and don't mind a bigger phone, then the Axon is for you. If you need a phone that is easy to handle and pocket, then go for the iPhone.
- Do I prioritize battery life and fast charging, or am I okay with wireless charging? If you prefer a very long-lasting battery with the fastest charging around, the Axon wins. If you need the convenience of wireless charging and are okay with having a smaller battery with slower charging, then the iPhone is a good option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Frequent Traveler: If you travel a lot and prioritize battery life, the Axon 40 Ultra is a better option for you.
- Gamer: If you value the highest possible performance and quality in gaming, the iPhone is probably going to perform better.
- Content Creator: If you create content, the higher quality of the iPhone's cameras and video processing might be the reason to pick the iPhone, but if you want to do a lot of 8K video, the Axon is a great option for that.
- Everyday User: The iPhone's premium features and software experience may be the way to go.
- Android Fan: The Axon 40 Ultra will appeal to Android users who want the largest screen and the fastest charging.
My Choice
If I was choosing between these two phones today for myself, I would probably choose the iPhone 14 Pro. While the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers great value with its large display, bigger battery, and fast charging, the iPhone 14 Pro delivers a more refined overall experience. For me, the more powerful chipset, premium screen with better outdoor visibility, the polish of the iOS ecosystem, and the high-quality camera system are all key factors. Although, if I was on a tighter budget or valued a larger screen more and fast charging, I would find the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra to be a more compelling option.
