Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Motorola ThinkPhone. I'll break down the specs, offer some insights, and help you decide which might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2023-01-29 | The ThinkPhone is a newer device by about 8 months, potentially having some newer tech |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | The Axon is a bit taller, while the ThinkPhone is slightly wider and marginally thinner. |
| Weight | 204g | 188.5g | The ThinkPhone is lighter, which might be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | The Axon offers a bit more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2400 | The Axon's display is slightly sharper. |
| PPI | 400 | 399 | Both have very similar pixel density, visually similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both are high-quality OLED tech, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The ThinkPhone offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | The Axon is noticeably brighter, which is beneficial in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | The ThinkPhone has a newer and slightly more powerful chip for better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,232,700 | The ThinkPhone has a good margin in benchmarks, implying better real world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Similar graphics performance, with marginal benefits from the newer Chipset on the ThinkPhone |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery endurance. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 68W fast charging | The ThinkPhone charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | The ThinkPhone includes convenient wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP (f/1.6, 1/1.72", 0.70µm) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm) | The Axon has a higher megapixel count and wider aperture, while the ThinkPhone has a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 16MP (f/2.0, 1.22µm) | 32MP (f/2.45) | The ThinkPhone has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP (f/3.5, 1/2", 0.70µm) | None | The Axon includes a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | The Axon includes a ToF sensor for depth perception. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP(f/2.4) | The ThinkPhone has a dedicated portrait mode sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP (f/2.3, 1/1.72", 0.70µm) | 13MP (f/2.4) | The Axon has a substantially higher resolution ultra-wide camera. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | Both offer impressive video recording capabilities |
| Features | Quad Camera, LAF, Under Display Camera, Night Mode | Triple Camera, | The Axon has more camera features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | The ThinkPhone ships with a more recent OS, and hence might have better future support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 LE | Both feature Bluetooth 5.2 for reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) + GLONASS (L1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The Axon has more sophisticated GPS, possibly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB/1TB | 256 GB | The Axon offers higher storage options |
| RAM | 8/12/16/18GB | 8GB | The Axon offers more RAM for heavy multitasking, though the base RAM is similar on both |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Both offer stereo speakers; Axon: Enhanced audio, more capable mics; ThinkPhone: Immersive audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint biometric security, |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The ThinkPhone has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, | The Axon has a slightly more extensive array of sensors. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The Axon’s 1500 nits brightness makes it significantly more usable in bright outdoor conditions.
- Versatile Camera System: It boasts a higher resolution main camera, a dedicated telephoto lens, and a higher resolution ultra-wide lens. The Axon has a great camera setup with additional features.
- Higher Storage and RAM Options: The Axon offers up to 1TB of storage and 18GB of RAM, great for heavy users.
- Enhanced Audio: The Axon has DTS / DTS X audio with 3 microphones, making it better for surround sound and audio capture.
- Under Display Camera: This neat tech on the Axon is great for those who dislike notches and punch-hole cutouts.
- More sensors: The Axon has a slight edge in sensor range for some advanced gaming or other niche applications.
Motorola ThinkPhone Strengths:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers slightly better performance and efficiency.
- Faster Refresh Rate: The 144Hz display provides a noticeably smoother experience.
- Wireless Charging: The ThinkPhone includes 15W wireless charging, which is great for convenience.
- Latest Android: It comes with Android 13 out of the box, implying better support in the long term.
- Lighter and more manageable size: The ThinkPhone is more pocketable and comfortable for long sessions of use.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection against scratches and impacts.
- Better Main Camera Pixel Size: The larger pixel size on the ThinkPhone captures more light, which translates into better images in low-light conditions.
- Dedicated Depth Camera: This allows for better portraits with more accurate depth information.
- Dolby Atmos: The audio of the ThinkPhone is enhanced by Dolby Atmos, which might give it an edge in terms of audio immersion.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Axon: Older processor, not as smooth a display, lacks wireless charging, and might be considered a bit on the bulkier side.
- ThinkPhone: Lower brightness display, camera system is less versatile than the Axon, and has a fixed storage and RAM configuration.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is best for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want maximum flexibility in their camera setup, with multiple focal lengths.
- Media Consumption: Those who prioritize a large, bright screen and need high storage capacities.
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier RAM and storage for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Audio Lovers: Users who love to enjoy high quality surround sound.
- Under Display Camera Lovers: Those who value a completely notch and punch-hole free display.
Motorola ThinkPhone is best for:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the latest performance with a focus on speed and efficiency.
- Practical Daily Use: Those who appreciate wireless charging and a lighter phone for daily carrying.
- Software Purists: Individuals who prefer the latest OS with a near-stock Android experience.
- Outdoor Users: Those who want a device with better screen protection.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos and listen to music on the go, especially those who value Dolby Atmos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How important is low-light photography and overall camera versatility to me?
- Do I prioritize the latest tech and software updates or do I value a fully featured device regardless of that?
- How much do I value additional screen brightness and screen protection in my daily usage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User on the Go - If you just need a daily phone, then the Motorola ThinkPhone might be the better option due to its wireless charging, lighter build, and more recent chipset.
Scenario 2: Mobile Photographer - The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better pick, thanks to its higher resolution camera, wider aperture, dedicated telephoto, and higher resolution ultra-wide camera.
Scenario 3: Performance-Focused User - If you want maximum performance and the latest features, the Motorola ThinkPhone is a more sensible choice. The superior chipset and faster refresh rate might be preferable.
Scenario 4: Multi-Media Consumption - If you want a device with high storage and bright display, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better pick for this scenario.
My Choice:
If I were to pick, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Motorola ThinkPhone has some very compelling features like wireless charging, latest Android OS, and newer chipset, I value a versatile camera system, and the Axon has a far more robust system for all types of photography situations. I also like the under display camera technology, and the significantly higher peak brightness would be great to view the display even under harsh sunlight. I am also partial to a large storage and RAM. Although I would be sacrificing some screen smoothness and wireless charging, these would be the most logical trade-offs for me.
