Alright, let's dive deep into the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Huawei nova 12i, two phones that, on paper, seem to target very different segments of the market. I’ll break down the specs, highlight the real-world implications, and give you my take on which might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2024-04-16 | The nova 12i is nearly two years newer, potentially benefiting from newer tech, and design principles. |
| Dimensions | 163.3x73.6x8.4 mm | 163.3x74.7x8.4 mm | Both are the same height and thickness, but the nova 12i is slightly wider, which may slightly impact grip comfort. |
| Weight | 204g | 199g | The nova 12i is slightly lighter, which might make it more comfortable for long usage. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphone builds and neither foldable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Minimal difference; both offer large displays for immersive experiences. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2388 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a moderately sharper display with more pixels, leading to crisper images and text. |
| PPI | 400 | 391 | Both have similar pixel densities; generally, the Axon 40 is just a tad bit sharper, it's not that perceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED panel will offer superior blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors than the nova 12i's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Axon 40 Ultra will have smoother scrolling and animations thanks to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits (data missing) | The Axon 40 Ultra is far better for outdoor visibility and use in direct sunlight. The nova 12i brightness information is missing, suggesting it may not be as bright. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 680 4G | The Axon 40 Ultra has a much more powerful flagship chipset, resulting in faster performance for any task. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 289,000 | The Axon 40 Ultra is a much more capable device, offering smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 610 | The Axon 40 Ultra's GPU can handle more demanding graphics for gaming and video editing, as well as better support for any other heavy task. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.6 | 108MP f/1.9 | Huawei nova 12i has a higher MP sensor, but ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.72" | 1/1.67" | The nova 12i has a marginally larger sensor. |
| Main Sensor Model | Sony IMX787 | Samsung HM6 | The Axon 40 Ultra uses a Sony sensor while the nova 12i uses a Samsung Sensor, both being excellent, the sony is a more established performer. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 | The Axon 40 Ultra will capture higher-resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP f/3.5 | None | The Axon 40 Ultra offers an optical zoom capability missing in the nova 12i. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | The Axon 40 Ultra has a depth-sensing ToF camera for better portrait mode effects. |
| Portrait Depth Camera | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The nova 12i has a dedicated portrait lens for more detailed depth mapping in portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 64MP f/2.3 | None | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, further expanding creative shooting options. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | The Axon 40 Ultra can shoot much higher-quality video, suitable for professionals and enthusiasts. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | The Axon 40 Ultra offers video stabilization that the nova 12i lacks, making it more suitable for action shooting. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both devices should have comparable battery endurance. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The Axon 40 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have integrated, non-replaceable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (max 13) | Android 13 | Huawei nova 12i has a slightly newer version, potentially offering newer features and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | The Axon 40 Ultra supports the latest WiFi standard, offering potentially faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly newer version that offers better energy efficiency and faster connection speed and data transfer rate. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | QZSS | Both offer similar location capabilities with minor differences in satellite support; the Axon 40 Ultra supports Dual Band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Both support two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB-1TB | 128GB-256GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has more internal storage options, and a higher capacity overall. |
| RAM | 8-18GB | 8GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a better RAM option for heavy multitasking and better future-proofing. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers the ability to expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Basic Audio Features | The Axon 40 Ultra has better sound quality and voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The nova 12i uses a modern side-mounted fingerprint scanner, while the axion 40 ultra has a standard fingerprint scanner. |
| Other | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices lack information on the screen protection technology used. |
| Sensors | Gyroscope | Compass | Both devices offer a comprehensive sensor suite for different applications and features. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: Flagship-level performance, premium display, versatile camera system, faster charging, and better audio. It's designed for power users who demand high performance across the board.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior processor, smoother display, more advanced camera features (including telephoto and wide-angle lenses), and higher video recording capabilities.
- Trade-offs: It is slightly heavier, also, although it has a newer bluetooth, it lacks some advanced audio features that the nova 12i has such as EDR and LDAC.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Strengths: Newer release, potentially newer software, and a more modern side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Competitive Advantages: Slightly lighter and more recent release.
- Trade-offs: Significantly lower performance, lower-quality display, basic camera, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is best for:
- Power Users: Gamers, content creators, and those who heavily multitask will benefit from its superior performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Its versatile camera system offers more creative control.
- Media Consumers: The superior AMOLED screen and enhanced audio make it excellent for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users Seeking Future-Proofing: The flagship processor ensures longevity and smooth performance with demanding apps.
Huawei nova 12i is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Casual Users: Suitable for browsing the web, checking social media, and making calls.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: It should offer decent battery life for light to medium usage.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you choose:
How important is performance to you? If you need a smooth experience for gaming or heavy multitasking, the Axon 40 Ultra is the clear choice. If you are a casual user, and primarily use the phone for basic tasks, the nova 12i can handle that.
How crucial is display quality and camera flexibility? If you prioritize vibrant visuals, smoother animations, a versatile camera system, and video quality, the Axon 40 Ultra is the way to go. If you primarily use your camera for simple photos, the nova 12i is adequate.
What's your budget? The Axon 40 Ultra is likely a much higher-tier phone and more costly due to its premium features. The nova 12i provides decent features at a more budget-friendly price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra for its flagship-level performance, smooth display, and superior graphics.
- Photography Enthusiast: Opt for the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra due to its versatile camera system and advanced features.
- Casual User on a Budget: The Huawei nova 12i is a more sensible option for basic smartphone tasks, offering adequate performance and good battery life for the casual user.
- Media Consumer: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra provides a better immersive experience, with a vibrant AMOLED screen, stereo speakers and enhanced sound features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. As someone who appreciates technology and is a heavy user, the enhanced performance, premium display, and versatile camera system are far more important to me. I enjoy the immersive experience that a quality display and great speakers provide, and I love the ability to capture great photos and videos, which the Axon 40 ultra is definitely better at. While the Huawei nova 12i has its merits, particularly its lighter build and more recent software, the performance and features on the Axon 40 Ultra align better with my needs. If I were looking at a budget phone and not willing to pay for the high price of the axion 40 ultra, the nova 12i would be the pick.
