Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Honor Magic5 Pro. These are two impressive devices, but they target slightly different priorities. We’ll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and figure out which one might be best for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Honor Magic5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2023-03-31 | The Honor is about 10 months newer, meaning it benefits from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | Honor is slightly wider and thicker, with a larger overall volume. The ZTE is more compact. |
| Weight | 204g | 219g | The ZTE is lighter making it more comfortable for one handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.81" | Practically identical; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1312x2848 | Honor has a noticeably sharper display due to the higher pixel count, meaning clearer text and sharper images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 460 | Honor’s display will appear more detailed, particularly noticeable in smaller text or fine details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1800 nits | Honor offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight thanks to its higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Honor has a more powerful and efficient chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,406,562 | Honor has significantly higher performance, better for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Honor’s GPU will handle graphically intensive apps and games more efficiently. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless | Honor has slightly faster wired charging and has the added benefit of very fast wireless charging. |
| Features | Non-Removable | Non-Removable, Wireless, Reverse | Honor offers wireless charging, making it more convenient, and reverse charging, useful for charging accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", IMX787 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.12", IMX878 | Axon has more megapixels, but Honor has a larger sensor, allowing better low-light performance and potentially better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto (Axon) | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", OV64B | N/A | Axon dedicated telephoto lens for zoom. |
| Telephoto/Portrait (Honor) | N/A | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.51", IMX858 | Honor offers a dedicated portrait lens as well as telephoto features. |
| Wide Angle | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", IMX787 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2", OV64B | Axon has a higher resoultion sensor, while Honor's has a wider aperture for better low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision | 12MP, f/2.4 | Axon has a higher resolution and wider aperture for potentially better selfies. |
| Video | 8K@30, 4K@120 | 4K@60 | Axon offers higher resolution video recording, meaning better footage for high-end video creation. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 152, Selfie: 123 | Honor's camera scores are noticably high indicating good camera performance. |
| Additional Features | Under-display camera | Ultra Stable Video, Dual front camera, Laser AF | Honor includes more additional features that add to the camera's versatility and usability. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, Upgradable to 13 | Android 13, Upgradable to 14 | Honor has a more up-to-date OS version out of the box, meaning potentially more features and longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Honor offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi with newer standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 (with aptX and LDAC) | Honor provides better audio codecs for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | L1+L5, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | L1+L5, BeiDou, QZSS, Galileo | Honor supports additional satelite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM / eSIM | Honor supports eSIM for more flexibility with carrier switching, ZTE Axon does not have eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128, 256, 512, 1024 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB | Axon offers more storage variants, especially more options for higher storage capacity, Honor does not have a 1TB option. |
| RAM | 8, 12, 16, 18 GB | 8, 12, 16 GB | Axon offers more RAM for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | ZTE Axon has an additional mic, enhancing its audio capabilities, while both feature DTS for great sound. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones offer similar biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Honor has a compass while Axon features a Hall sensor. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Strengths:
- Under-Display Camera: A sleek, uninterrupted display experience with a higher-resolution selfie camera.
- High-Res Video: 8K video recording, making it ideal for video enthusiasts who need the best possible quality.
- Massive Storage Options: Up to 1TB of internal storage, and 18GB of RAM, which is excellent for media lovers and power users.
- Lighter: The lighter build will feel more comfortable during longer use periods.
Honor Magic5 Pro Strengths:
- Display Superiority: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness, all culminating in a much better viewing experience.
- Superior Performance: More powerful, energy-efficient chipset with a better GPU.
- Camera Prowess: Larger main sensor with better low-light performance, a dedicated portrait/telephoto camera and higher DXOMARK score.
- Wireless Charging: Fast 50W wireless charging adds significant convenience, something the Axon lacks.
- Modern OS: Android 13 out of the box with upgrade to 14, a more recent OS compared to Axon.
Trade-Offs:
- ZTE: It has a more dated chipset, lesser display, no wireless charging.
- Honor: Is heavier, does not have 8K video.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Video Enthusiasts: The 8K video and high res selfie camera is great for people who are into video production and content creation.
- Power Users: Users who need the absolute maximum storage and RAM capacity will benefit from this.
- People who prefer a lighter phone: This device is light and ideal for longer usage.
Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Multimedia Consumption: The superior display and audio codecs, makes it ideal for people who watch a lot of content on their devices.
- Mobile Photographers: The camera's capabilities, better dynamic range and performance, is well suited for the photographer.
- Everyday Users: The overall performance, battery life, wireless charging, and user experience is well suited for everyday use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Before buying, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is video recording quality to you? If 8K is a must, the Axon is worth considering; otherwise, the Honor's superior everyday camera performance and wireless charging may be better.
- What are your priorities in terms of display quality? If you desire the sharpest, brightest display, the Honor wins; the ZTE display is great but not as good as Honor's.
- Do you need wireless charging and a newer OS version? If yes, the Honor has the advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Content Creator: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra for 8K recording, and high storage.
- Casual User: Honor Magic5 Pro for its better overall performance, camera, and wireless charging.
- Budget Conscious: Research current prices and deals for each, as both are high-end phones; keep in mind the Honor provides more for the price.
Final Thoughts
Both the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Honor Magic5 Pro are impressive devices, each with its unique strengths. However, the Honor Magic5 Pro is the better all-rounder with a better display, chipset, camera and wireless charging. The only reason to chose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is if you need 8K recording and higher storage capacity, otherwise, the Honor is superior in almost every way.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Honor Magic5 Pro. The superior display is a crucial factor for daily use, and the overall performance boost with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is significant. The camera on the Honor, combined with the wireless charging, makes it the more practical and user-friendly device for my needs, making it the better buy.
