Okay, let's break down the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Motorola Moto G04s. This is going to be a classic David vs. Goliath showdown in the smartphone world, so let's get into the details.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison, focusing on how each spec impacts the user experience:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2024-04-29 | The Moto G04s is much newer, meaning it has potentially more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm, 204g | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm, 178.8g | The Axon 40 Ultra is slightly thicker and heavier, making the Moto G04s more comfortable for longer holding and use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.56" | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 720x1612 | The Axon 40 Ultra's display is much sharper, with significantly more pixels, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 400 PPI | 269 PPI | The Axon 40 Ultra has a far higher pixel density, delivering sharper images and finer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD; better for viewing rich media. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Axon 40 Ultra provides smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra is significantly brighter, providing excellent outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. The Moto G04s has no spec here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The Axon 40 Ultra’s chip is significantly faster, handling demanding tasks with ease, while the Moto G04s will feel noticeably slower. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 220,000 | The Axon 40 Ultra delivers far superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 730 in the Axon 40 Ultra will deliver far better graphics performance for games and visually intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.6, 1/1.72") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76") | The Axon 40 Ultra's main sensor has larger pixel size, and wider aperture, capturing more light and detail, especially in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.0) | 5MP (f/2.2) | The Axon 40 Ultra takes much sharper selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP (f/3.5, 1/2") | None | The Axon 40 Ultra allows for optical zoom, offering significantly better image quality when zooming compared to the Moto G04s (digital zoom only). |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP (f/2.3, 1/1.72") | None | The Axon 40 Ultra offers wide-angle and macro capabilities for versatile photography. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | The Axon 40 Ultra enhances depth-sensing for better portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | The Axon 40 Ultra supports professional-grade video capture with higher resolutions and frame rates, offering more options. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K video,OIS, PDAF, LAF | OIS, PDAF, LAF | The Axon 40 Ultra has more comprehensive features and professional recording options, like RAW capture for better editing. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, though real world usage will vary depending on how each is used. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime, and is much more convenient. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | The Moto G04s has a more current OS, meaning better software and potentially longer support period. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi ac | The Axon 40 Ultra offers more advanced Wi-Fi features, leading to faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a more modern Bluetooth version with slightly better connectivity. |
| Internal Storage | Up to 1TB | Up to 256GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage for media and apps. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | 4GB | The Axon 40 Ultra can handle far more multitasking, and more resource-intensive apps and games, without slowing down. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone provides microSD support. |
| Audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | The Axon 40 Ultra has more advanced sound hardware, offering better sound reproduction, though Dolby Atmos offers great software enhancements. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | A side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the G04s may be more ergonomic for some users. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 3 | The Moto G04s has an advantage with screen protection that is known, while the Axon 40's is unknown. |
| Sensors | Gravity, Hall | None | The Axon 40 Ultra is better for more complex usage like advanced motion based games thanks to additional sensors. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone is a powerhouse, excelling in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. The AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon processor, and advanced camera system put it in a completely different tier than the G04s. It's a true flagship device.
- Advantages: Superior screen, performance, camera flexibility (with optical zoom and wide/macro lenses), faster charging, significantly more storage and RAM.
- Trade-offs: It is older, meaning it might have slightly less software support, and it's bulkier and heavier. The screen protection isn't specified.
Motorola Moto G04s:
- Strengths: The Moto G04s is a budget-friendly option focused on essential functions and a lighter build. It provides a recent OS version, decent battery life, and a basic, functioning camera system.
- Advantages: Newer software out of the box, lighter and more comfortable for extended use, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and its screen is protected.
- Trade-offs: Significant compromises in display, performance, and camera quality when compared to the Axon 40 Ultra. It's meant for basic use.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: This phone is ideal for users who prioritize top-tier performance, superior photography, and an immersive visual experience. It’s perfect for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants a no-compromise smartphone experience. The additional storage and RAM makes this a solid long-term choice.
- Motorola Moto G04s: This phone is best suited for users on a tight budget who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks such as calling, texting, social media, and browsing. It's also great for those who prefer a lightweight, simple device. The newer software and simpler features make it accessible to those less interested in heavy tech.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
How important is performance to you?
- High Priority: If you play games, edit videos, or multitask heavily, the Axon 40 Ultra's superior processor and RAM are crucial.
- Low Priority: If you only use basic apps, the Moto G04s will suffice.
How much do you value camera quality and versatility?
- High Value: If you need high-quality photos, want optical zoom, or require advanced video features, the Axon 40 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Low Value: If you take casual snapshots and don't need extensive features, the Moto G04s will work.
What's your budget?
- High Budget: The Axon 40 Ultra will deliver a premium experience and offer long-term performance.
- Low Budget: The Moto G04s is much more affordable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Power User: If you demand top performance and the best tech, choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
- The Casual User: For daily tasks on a budget, the Motorola Moto G04s is sufficient.
- The Photographer: The Axon 40 Ultra's versatile camera system and high image quality are far superior to the Moto G04s.
- The Gamer: The Axon 40 Ultra will be the best choice, due to its performance, display, and graphics capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would go for the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. Here's why:
As a tech journalist, I need a phone that can handle everything I throw at it, from demanding apps to high-resolution photos and videos. The Axon 40 Ultra's superior performance, combined with the excellent AMOLED display and versatile camera system, makes it an easy choice. I also value the faster charging and greater RAM which allows me to get more done in a day.
While it is older, the performance gap between these two devices is so vast that the features on the Axon 40 Ultra are well worth it. The G04s, while more modern in OS, is simply not up to the task for my usage. It really comes down to what a user is looking for. In my case, the Axon 40 Ultra delivers on what matters the most to me: top-tier performance, excellent camera quality, and a premium display.
