Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the OnePlus Nord 4. I'll be your guide, breaking down the specs and highlighting what they mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specs, focusing on their real-world impact:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | OnePlus Nord 4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2024-08-08 | OnePlus Nord 4 is much newer, with potentially more modern software and features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldables or anything fancy. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | The Nord 4 is slightly shorter and wider, with the Axon being a tad thicker. Minimal real-world difference in handling. |
| Weight | 204g | 199.5g | Both are fairly hefty but comfortable. The difference is hardly noticeable. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.74" | Both offer large screens that are immersive for media consumption. The difference is minuscule in everyday use. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 1240 x 2772 | OnePlus Nord 4’s display is much sharper; text and images will look noticeably clearer on the Nord 4. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 450 | Higher PPI on the Nord 4 leads to a sharper display, making text and images look more refined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks that are great for media viewing. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 is much easier to see outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nord 4’s chipset is much more recent and offers higher performance than Axon 40 Ultra for day-to-day usage and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a much better performance in day to day use cases. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 732 | The Nord 4’s newer GPU indicates a more modern and powerful graphics processing capability. |
| BATTERY | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 should have a longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W | 100W | OnePlus Nord 4 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard for modern smartphones. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | ZTE has higher resolution, a wider aperture and larger sensor size; OnePlus has slightly larger pixel size on its sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Axon's wider aperture is better for low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5 | N/A | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers telephoto zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 64MP, f/2.3 | N/A | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has macro capabilities along with wide angle shots |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | N/A | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra includes depth-sensing for advanced camera effects and AR applications. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps | The Axon captures video at higher resolutions, for professional-grade video production. |
| Slow-motion | 480 fps | 240 fps | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra captures slow-motion videos with a higher number of frames per second |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The Axon offers features for professional photographers; OnePlus features are tailored for casual photographers |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 13) | Android 14 (Up to 18) | OnePlus Nord 4 has the latest Android version and receives potentially more updates. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Dual band | WiFi 6 | Both phones support modern WiFi standards, the Axon has dual band support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has the newest Bluetooth version with more audio codec options. |
| GPS | Extensive options | Extensive options | Both have comprehensive GPS support for accurate navigation; Nord 4 additionally includes features for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer Dual SIM functionality for separate lines. |
| STORAGE & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 1024GB | Up to 512GB | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a more storage option. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | Up to 16GB | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra comes with more RAM for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Features | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Axon 40 Ultra has a better audio capture feature and provides surround sound while Nord 4 just supports stereo sound. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | The Axon provides more sensors for gaming and AR purposes |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone shines in its video capabilities, boasting 8K and 4K@120fps recording. It also has a larger storage capacity. If you're a photography enthusiast looking for an under-display camera and the flexibility of multiple lens options, the Axon 40 Ultra has you covered with its Quadruple Camera setup including a Telephoto and Wide Angle + Macro Lens.
- Competitive Advantages: The Axon has the edge if you prioritize professional-grade video recording capabilities and raw processing power in storage and RAM along with advanced audio features.
- Trade-offs: The older processor and Android version mean the phone is less efficient compared to the Nord 4. Its display brightness is not as high, making it less ideal for bright outdoor conditions, and the phone is a bit bulkier.
OnePlus Nord 4:
- Strengths: The Nord 4 is a powerful all-rounder with a much newer chipset which translates into a better everyday user experience. It boasts higher screen brightness and better battery performance with faster charging, along with a higher resolution and pixel density screen.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone excels in display quality, outdoor visibility, and overall smooth user experience, thanks to a newer, more efficient processor. Its larger battery and faster charging are also significant plus points.
- Trade-offs: The Nord 4 lacks the advanced camera features and audio features of the Axon 40 Ultra. It does not support an 8K Video recording, telephoto zoom lens, and a wide angle + macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Ideal for:
- Content Creators: Users who require top-tier video recording capabilities and advanced audio capture.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate the versatility of an under-display camera and telephoto and macro capabilities.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Users who require more RAM.
- OnePlus Nord 4: Ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Those who value smooth performance, a bright, sharp display, and long battery life.
- Gamers: Users who need a reliable processor and a crisp display for mobile gaming.
- Practical Users: Individuals seeking a balanced smartphone experience with a focus on speed and efficiency.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do I prioritize video recording, advanced camera features, and audio capture or all-around speed and display quality?
- If video and camera versatility is the main concern, choose the Axon 40 Ultra. If smooth performance and display quality are more critical, choose the Nord 4.
- How important is battery life and fast charging to my daily routine?
- If battery life and fast charging are a priority, the Nord 4 is the clear choice.
- Am I a heavy multitasker needing more RAM or more storage?
- If you want more RAM, then go for Axon, while if you need more storage it also has the upper hand.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Creative Professional: Choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra for its superior video capabilities, advanced audio recording features, higher RAM options, under-display camera, and the quad camera setup, including a telephoto lens.
- For the Everyday User: Go with the OnePlus Nord 4, which offers a more modern, efficient, smooth experience and faster battery charging.
- For the Gamer: The OnePlus Nord 4 offers better performance.
Final Thoughts
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the OnePlus Nord 4. While the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has impressive camera specs and a unique feature set, the Nord 4 just offers a much better overall experience with its newer processor, sharper and brighter display, superior battery life, and faster charging. In the long run, these are the kind of features I use every day, and they just make the phone feel faster, smoother, and more modern. The Axon 40 Ultra’s strength in video capture isn’t enough to outweigh the Nord 4's advancements in performance, display, and battery, which would be more beneficial in my daily life.
