Okay, let's break down the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. I'll put on my tech journalist hat and dive into the details, translating these specs into a language that makes sense for everyone, not just the engineering crowd.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the core specifications of each phone, along with real-world implications:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, which might feel less comfortable in the hand for some. |
| Weight | 204g | 225g | The Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it easier to hold for longer periods. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional slab-style phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in size; both are large, immersive screens. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 1080 x 2400 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, which translates to slightly crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 400 | 388 | Both have very similar pixel density. You're unlikely to see a real difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides noticeably smoother animations and scrolling, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility, making it ideal for use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is considerably faster, with the newer chipset providing better performance in gaming, multitasking, and overall system speed. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro scores dramatically higher in benchmarks, which translates to a smoother and more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | The Axon 40 Ultra boasts higher resolution but the ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor with bigger pixel size, which can result in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision | 32MP, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a higher resolution for sharper selfies. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher-resolution sensor and larger sensor for better zoom capabilities, whereas the ROG Phone has a brighter aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | The Axon 40 Ultra offers depth sensing for augmented reality apps and portrait modes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", Omnivision OV31B | The Axon 40 Ultra has a much higher-resolution wide-angle camera. The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly brighter aperture and larger pixel size, which helps low light performance. |
| Video | Up to 8K@120fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both are capable video recorders with 8K capabilities, though the Axon allows for more flexibility and higher refresh rate |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Under display camera, PDAF, RAW | Triple Camera, Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus | Axon 40 Ultra has an under-display camera for a cleaner screen but the ROG Phone 8 Pro has gimbal stabilization and more manual control options. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both offer fast charging, meaning you won't be tethered to the wall for too long. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more current Android version with longer-term support, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest WiFi standard for faster speeds and better performance, especially in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has newer Bluetooth with additional codec support for better audio quality. |
| GPS | Standard Systems | More systems | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more robust GPS setup with support for more satellite systems, potentially resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 1024 GB | Up to 1024 GB | Both offer plenty of storage. |
| RAM | Up to 18 GB | Up to 24 GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has more RAM, which is beneficial for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo speakers | Both offer the same great audio features for immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity | Both have good sensors; the Asus has an additional compass for precise navigation |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Axon 40 Ultra boasts an under-display camera, a higher-resolution telephoto and wide-angle camera, and is noticeably lighter. It offers good camera performance, particularly with its high megapixel counts and large sensors.
- Competitive Advantages: Its main advantage is its design with under-display camera technology for an uninterrupted display, plus the higher megapixel counts for camera enthusiasts.
- Trade-offs: It has a less powerful chipset, lower display brightness, and a slightly older software version compared to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Strengths: The ROG Phone 8 Pro excels in raw performance, display quality, battery life, and connectivity. It has a significantly faster chipset, a higher refresh rate, a much brighter display, a larger battery, and the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Competitive Advantages: Its superior performance and gaming-focused features make it ideal for gamers. The display and battery capacity are also better.
- Trade-offs: It is heavier, and lacks an under-display camera, and its wide-angle camera is of lower resolution.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: This phone is ideal for users who prioritize a unique design with an under-display camera, good camera performance with high-resolution sensors and a lighter device. It will appeal to those who want a capable daily driver with advanced photography features. This is not the phone to choose if you are primarily a gamer.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: This phone is targeted at power users and gamers who need the best performance, the best display experience, longer battery life, and the latest connectivity standards. If gaming is a primary concern, this is the superior choice. It is the better choice for those who want future-proofing from an OS perspective and don't mind a heavier device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance or Aesthetics? If performance and gaming are your top priorities, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner. If design and high-resolution photography are more important, the Axon 40 Ultra may be the better fit.
- Do you need the best possible screen? If you often use your phone in bright sunlight or for intense gaming, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher brightness and refresh rate will make a noticeable difference.
- How much does software matter to you? If you want the most up-to-date version of Android with better longevity, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the only choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual user: If you want a reliable, well-rounded phone, the Axon 40 Ultra is fine. However, consider whether you might use it for demanding tasks, at which point the ROG Phone 8 Pro is worth the cost.
- Gaming enthusiast: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is the obvious pick due to its superior performance, better display, and optimized gaming features.
- Photography enthusiast: The Axon 40 Ultra may be preferable, but its camera advantage is not always clear cut, and depends on your use case. If you want to take photos using the standard camera in low light conditions, then the ROG Phone 8 Pro will be better.
- Outdoor/Travel: The ROG Phone 8 Pro will have the better screen brightness in bright outdoor conditions.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Why? While the under-display camera of the Axon 40 Ultra is an exciting innovation, for me, the raw power, superior display technology, and larger battery of the ROG Phone 8 Pro are more critical in my everyday use. As someone who values both performance and a great visual experience, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the more compelling option. The extra RAM and latest connectivity also make it more future-proof. It is simply a more powerful and user-friendly device. The Axon 40 Ultra is a compelling piece of tech, but for me it falls short in areas that are important to me.
