Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. We'll dissect the specs, translate them into real-world experiences, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2023-04-04 | Motorola is newer, likely with more up-to-date software and potentially better long-term support. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm | Axon is taller by 2.1mm but otherwise very similar, both are relatively large phones. |
| Weight | 204g | 199g | Motorola is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola offers better screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | Axon has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 1080 x 2400 | Axon's higher resolution provides a slightly sharper image. |
| PPI | 400 | 394 | Both have very similar pixel density, leading to very similar image sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality display technologies, differences are mostly marketing. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Motorola's faster refresh rate leads to smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1100 nits | Axon is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Motorola's newer chip offers superior performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,532,500 | Motorola offers significantly faster performance for smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Motorola's newer GPU provides a better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Axon has higher resolution, Motorola has bigger pixels and slightly larger sensor. Both should perform similarly in good light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.22µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 0.61µm | Motorola has much higher resolution, but smaller pixel size, affecting low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/3.5 | 12MP, f/1.6 | Axon has higher resolution, Motorola has wider aperture and bigger pixels, for better low light. |
| Wide-Angle | 64MP, f/2.3 | 50MP, f/2.2 | Axon's wide-angle lens is the same sensor used as macro, motorola has a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle | No | Yes | Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle lens, while Axon uses its macro lens for wide angle photography. |
| ToF 3D sensor | Yes | No | Axon has a ToF 3D sensor that helps with depth sensing, while motorola doesn't. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer excellent video recording. Motorola has more frames per second. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 130 (Mobile) | Motorola's camera performance is measured as superior. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Axon has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer usage time. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charge | 125W Fast Charge | Motorola charges much faster, offering shorter recharge times. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | Motorola can be charged wirelessly. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | Motorola can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 16) | Motorola has a newer OS and promises longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Motorola supports newer WiFi standards for potentially faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Motorola has newer Bluetooth for improved efficiency and audio quality. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola offers eSIM support for more flexible connectivity options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512/1024 GB | 256/512 GB | Axon offers more storage, with a 1TB option. |
| RAM | 8/12/16/18 GB | 12 GB | Axon provides more options for RAM, catering to different user needs. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio quality | DTS, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | Motorola's Dolby Atmos has superior audio enhancements, whilst also offering more microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both have very similar fingerprint sensors, providing basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a comprehensive set of sensors for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Axon 40 Ultra boasts a larger, brighter display, which makes it ideal for media consumption, especially outdoors. It also offers very high-resolution cameras, including a unique under-display selfie camera, and multiple high-resolution sensors, perfect for detailed photography. It also has a larger battery that may give slightly longer usage. It also comes with a 1 TB storage variant which will suit users that need it.
- Competitive Advantages: Its under-display camera creates an uninterrupted screen experience, and its multiple high-resolution cameras are great for professional-grade content creation.
- Trade-offs: It uses a slightly older chip and has slower charging compared to the Motorola, and it does not have a dedicated wide angle camera.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro:
- Strengths: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro offers a newer and more powerful chipset, along with a significantly faster display refresh rate and charging speed. The camera has a bigger pixel size, leading to better low-light performance and a wide angle lens. It also has wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities.
- Competitive Advantages: The performance edge from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, combined with faster charging and better low-light performance, makes it a compelling choice for power users.
- Trade-offs: It has a smaller battery and a smaller screen than the Axon.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is best for:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a large, bright screen for watching videos and playing games, and don't want notches or camera cutouts.
- Photography Buffs: Those who value high-resolution imagery and creative flexibility with multiple camera lenses.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Users who appreciate larger internal storage and ram options.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro is best for:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the latest chipset and a smooth, responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps.
- Power Users: Those who value fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Everyday Photographers: Users who want a balanced camera setup with good low light performance and a dedicated wide angle.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case? (Media consumption, gaming, photography, productivity)
- How important is battery life and charging speed? (Do you need all-day battery or a quick recharge?)
- Do you need multiple lenses or a high resolution? (Prioritizing the variety or the resolution on your camera?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I'm always on the go and need a reliable workhorse": Go for the Motorola Edge 40 Pro for its faster charging and newer chipset.
- Scenario 2: "I love watching movies and taking pictures on my phone": Consider the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra for its immersive display, high resolution cameras and uninterrupted screen experience.
- Scenario 3: "I want the best gaming and photography experience": The Motorola offers a better all round gaming performance, whilst also having a camera that is suitable for any occasion.
- Scenario 4: "I want the most internal storage I can get": The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a 1 TB storage variant, which is the most of both phones.
Conclusion
Both the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro are excellent smartphones with their unique strengths.
My Choice: Personally, I'd lean towards the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. While the Axon's display is attractive, and it does offer a high-resolution camera and a larger storage capacity, I prioritize the newer chipset, the 165Hz refresh rate and superior charging capabilities of the Motorola as a daily driver. The better low-light performance of the camera and the dedicated wide angle lens of the Motorola is also a big plus for me. The Edge 40 Pro also offers a more up to date operating system and better software support.
