Okay, let's break down the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Honor X6. This is a classic case of a high-end flagship versus a budget-friendly option, and the differences are pretty stark. As always, we'll get into the nitty-gritty tech details, but we'll keep it real by explaining what it all means for you, the end user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Honor X6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2022-09-21 | Axon 40 Ultra released earlier, Honor X6 newer by around 4 months. |
| Size | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | Axon 40 Ultra slightly slimmer and narrower, Honor X6 is marginally thicker and wider, slight difference in handling. |
| Weight | 204g | 194g | Honor X6 is slightly lighter, might feel more comfortable during long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | Axon 40 Ultra has a larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 720 x 1600 | Axon 40 Ultra has a much sharper display, images and text are much clearer. |
| PPI | 400 | 270 | Axon 40 Ultra's display is significantly sharper, details look crispier. |
| Technology | AMOLED | TFT LCD | Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED offers superior color, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Axon 40 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, much more fluid feeling. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Axon 40 Ultra has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, Honor X6 missing brightness specifications |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Helio G25 (12nm) | Axon 40 Ultra has a flagship-level processor, extremely fast app loading, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 100,890 | Axon 40 Ultra has dramatically superior performance, it will feel much snappier in day-to-day use. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | PowerVR GE8320 | Axon 40 Ultra offers much better graphics capabilities, better for gaming and graphically demanding tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/1.8 | Axon 40 Ultra's main sensor has higher resolution and a wider aperture, better low light performance. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Axon 40 Ultra offers higher resolution and better low light performance in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | None | Axon 40 Ultra provides telephoto zoom capabilities, which Honor X6 lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" | None | Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated ultra-wide and macro lens for more versatile photography, which Honor X6 lacks. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | Axon 40 Ultra uses a ToF 3D sensor for depth-sensing in portrait mode, which is not in the Honor X6 |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor X6 has a depth sensor for creating portrait effects, which is not in the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor X6 has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots, which is not in the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Axon 40 Ultra can record professional grade video content with higher resolution and refresh rates for better slow-motion video quality |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity; expect similar battery endurance in general use. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, drastically reducing charging time. |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 8/12/16/18 GB | 4 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has much more RAM, enabling smooth multitasking. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512/1024 GB | 64/128 GB | Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage space, it’s available with higher capacity variants. |
| Software | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Axon 40 Ultra is upgradable to Android 13, whilst Honor X6 does not state a maximum version |
| Audio Features | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Basic Audio Features | Axon 40 Ultra offers enhanced surround sound with stereo speakers. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor X6's side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a more convenient unlocking method. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Axon 40 Ultra offers faster speeds, lower latency, and improved performance in busy networks compared to the Honor X6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | Axon 40 Ultra offers a more updated bluetooth version and the Honor X6 offers additional EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Axon 40 Ultra can offer better location accuracy. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: The Powerhouse
- Strengths: The Axon 40 Ultra is a true flagship, excelling in display quality (AMOLED, high resolution, 120Hz, high brightness), performance (top-tier Snapdragon processor), and camera versatility (multiple 64MP lenses, great video capabilities). It also has a much faster charging speed, which can be a real game-changer for busy users.
- Competitive Advantages: Its under-display camera gives it a unique look, and the 8K video recording is an impressive feature for mobile creators.
- Trade-offs: It's likely much more expensive than the Honor X6, and its size and weight might not be ideal for everyone.
Honor X6: The Budget-Friendly All-Rounder
- Strengths: The Honor X6 is positioned as an affordable, entry-level device that covers the basics well enough. It has a lighter build and similar battery capacity to the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
- Competitive Advantages: Its main strengths are its side-mounted fingerprint sensor and lower price point. It also features a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Trade-offs: It suffers from a lower-resolution TFT LCD display, a much less powerful processor, slower charging, and a weaker camera system compared to the Axon 40 Ultra.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best for: Tech enthusiasts, mobile gamers, content creators, and anyone who values premium display quality, top-tier performance, and advanced camera features.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, video editing, mobile photography, frequent media consumption, professional usage, power users
- Value: If money is less of a concern and you want the absolute best tech, the Axon 40 Ultra is worth considering.
Honor X6:
- Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, users needing basic smartphone functionality, first-time smartphone owners, and those less demanding in terms of performance and features.
- Use Cases: Basic phone calls, social media, occasional photos, light gaming, day to day functionality.
- Value: The Honor X6 offers an accessible price point, but it comes with trade-offs in the display, performance, and camera departments.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How much do you prioritize performance?
- If you need a phone that can handle heavy multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps, the Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner.
- If you're just using your phone for basic tasks and light use, the Honor X6 should be sufficient.
- What is your primary use case for the camera?
- If mobile photography and videography are important to you, the Axon 40 Ultra's versatile camera system and 8K video capability are worth the investment.
- If you are only taking occasional photos, the Honor X6 might suffice.
- What's your budget?
- If you have the budget, the Axon 40 Ultra is the better device overall.
- If your budget is very limited, the Honor X6 is a more affordable option, but you'll have to live with significant performance compromises.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: Go with the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. Its superior processing power, high refresh rate display, and excellent GPU make it the clear choice.
- The Mobile Photographer: Again, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. With its versatile camera system, including telephoto and wide-angle lenses, it provides the creative flexibility you need.
- The Budget-Conscious Buyer: The Honor X6 is the more accessible option, and it gets the job done for essential tasks, but don’t expect it to compete with the Axon 40 Ultra in any demanding tasks.
- The Everyday User: If you’re doing mostly basic tasks, social media, and some light browsing, the Honor X6 will suffice, however the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the superior phone, just at a higher cost.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I'd definitely go for the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates excellent engineering, the Axon 40 Ultra ticks all the right boxes. I love the combination of its beautiful AMOLED display with the 120Hz refresh rate, the sheer power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and the versatility of its camera system with the 8K recording capabilities. While it might be a bit pricier, the overall experience is so much more refined and satisfying. The drastically faster charging speed is also a massive plus for those of us that are always on the go. Although the Honor X6 does have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, the benefits of the Axon 40 Ultra outweigh its basic fingerprint sensor and its price point is justified by the higher quality features.
The Honor X6 is a decent budget phone that does well for basic functionalities, but given my priorities for performance, visual quality, and photography, the Axon 40 Ultra is far and above my preferred device.
