Okay, let's break down these two intriguing contenders: the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Oppo Find N3 Flip. One is a classic flagship, and the other a folding marvel. It's a fascinating contrast, and I'm excited to get into the nitty-gritty.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with a focus on what these specs mean for your everyday use.
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2023-09-08 | The Find N3 Flip is a more modern device with newer tech, whereas the Axon 40 Ultra is nearly a year and a half older. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Find N3 Flip offers the versatility of a foldable, while the Axon 40 Ultra is a standard slab design. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 166.4 × 75.8 × 7.8 mm | The Find N3 Flip is slightly taller and wider, but thinner. The Axon 40 Ultra will likely feel a little denser in your pocket or hand. |
| Weight | 204g | 198g | Both are fairly hefty, but the Find N3 Flip is marginally lighter, likely noticeable in extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Identical screen sizes, so both will offer the same general viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2520 | Very similar; both offer sharp, detailed images. The differences are unlikely to be noticeable to the naked eye. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 403 | Both offer sharp displays; virtually indistinguishable in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED is superior, offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes and more vibrant colors | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1600 nits | The Find N3 Flip will have slightly better outdoor visibility, which can make a real difference on sunny days. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Mediatek Dimensity 9200 | The Dimensity 9200 in the Find N3 Flip is a newer, more powerful chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,475,000 | The Find N3 Flip will offer notably faster performance, smoother app loading, and better responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Immortalis-G715 MC11 | The Immortalis-G715 in the Find N3 Flip will provide superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | The Axon 40 Ultra has a significantly larger battery, which will likely translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 44W fast charging | The Axon 40 Ultra will recharge its larger battery more quickly. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Find N3 Flip can act as a power bank for other devices, a useful feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | The Axon has a higher resolution, but the Find N3 Flip has a larger sensor size, which will help in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | The Find N3 Flip has a higher resolution front camera. The Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution, but the Find N3 Flip has a wider aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | N/A | The Axon has an additional Time-of-Flight sensor for depth sensing. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2" | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution wide angle lens, whilst the Find N3 Flip has a wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Axon 40 Ultra is capable of recording video at a much higher resolution, an advantage for professional content creators. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | The Find N3 Flip launches with a newer version of Android and more support for future Android versions. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Find N3 Flip has faster and more efficient WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Find N3 Flip has the latest Bluetooth version with enhanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | Standard systems | Advanced systems | The Find N3 Flip offers more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 1TB | Up to 512GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers more internal storage in its top model. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | 12 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers much more RAM for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports external memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have good quality speakers. Axon has a slight edge due to DTS X, and 3 Mics. Find N3 has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The Find N3 Flip's side-mounted sensor will provide a faster and more convenient unlocking experience. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Find N3 Flip has a more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Geomagnetic | Find N3 Flip has a geomagnectic sensor, which is useful for augmented reality and navigation. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone boasts impressive camera hardware with high-resolution sensors across the board. It also has a larger battery and faster charging, along with more storage options and RAM. The under-display camera and 8K video capabilities are noteworthy features.
- Competitive Advantages: It's designed for power users who need maximum camera versatility, lots of storage, and a long-lasting battery.
- Trade-offs: It is an older phone and uses older generation chipset, is not foldable, and lacks some modern connectivity features.
Oppo Find N3 Flip:
- Strengths: The Find N3 Flip offers a modern foldable design, a more powerful processor, superior screen protection, the latest connectivity technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, and more advanced GPS support. It also has a superior main camera sensor, better selfie camera, and offers reverse charging.
- Competitive Advantages: It's perfect for users who want the latest technologies, a unique form factor, and a more future-proof device.
- Trade-offs: It has a smaller battery, slower charging, and less internal storage than the Axon 40 Ultra. Also, its unique foldable nature may not appeal to all users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The high-resolution cameras, including the 8K video capability, make this excellent for photography and videography.
- Power Users: Gamers and those who need lots of RAM and storage for demanding apps.
- Battery Life Seekers: If long battery life is crucial, this is the better option.
Oppo Find N3 Flip: Ideal for:
- Tech Innovators: Those drawn to the folding form factor, who enjoy the latest technology.
- On-the-Go Professionals: The smaller form factor when folded, modern connectivity features, and side mounted fingerprint sensor suit those who are always moving.
- Users who prefer smaller phones: The foldable form factor shrinks the phone down substantially when folded, making this phone easier to manage.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Consider these questions to make the best choice for yourself:
Foldable or Standard? Do you value the unique form factor and portability of a foldable, or do you prefer the traditional slab design?
Performance vs Battery Life? Do you prioritize the latest processor and smoother performance or longer battery life and faster charging?
Camera Priority? Do you need the highest video resolution and maximum zoom capabilities, or do you value a superior main sensor and better selfies?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're a content creator who needs the highest possible video resolution, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's 8K recording and advanced zoom capabilities make it more appealing.
- If you're a gamer or someone who wants to use cutting-edge tech, the Oppo Find N3 Flip will likely be more rewarding for you, with its newer chipset, superior screen protection, and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.
- If you just need a reliable daily driver with great cameras and excellent battery life, the Axon 40 Ultra's massive battery, combined with its great camera sensors, should be sufficient for daily use.
- If you want a trendy and more compact smartphone, the foldable nature of the Find N3 Flip will be your only option in this comparison.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd lean towards the Oppo Find N3 Flip. While the Axon 40 Ultra has a fantastic camera setup, a larger battery and more storage, the more modern chipset, foldable nature, and newer connectivity technologies that the Find N3 Flip offers is hard to pass up. In daily usage, the performance difference between the chipsets would be most noticeable, and the form factor is fun and versatile. While the battery is smaller, I still think it would be enough for most daily tasks. For me, it's about the overall experience and having a device that feels like a jump forward in technology, even with a few trade-offs.
