Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Oppo Reno12. Both phones have their strengths, but they cater to slightly different needs. As always, I'm looking past the marketing hype and focusing on what these specs mean for you in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, complete with my thoughts on what these specs actually mean for your day-to-day use:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Oppo Reno12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2024-06-25 | The Reno12 is newer which usually means more up to date features and software. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 161.4 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm | The Axon 40 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling more bulky in hand compared to the slimmer Reno12. |
| Weight | 204g | 177g | The Reno12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both phones have large, immersive screens; the difference of 0.1” is marginal. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2412 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, meaning slightly clearer text and images, but not noticeable for the average user. |
| Pixel Density | 400 PPI | 394 PPI | Very similar pixel density; both offer sharp, detailed visuals for everyday tasks and media consumption. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both feature vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED panels, excellent for color accuracy and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations across both devices, enhancing the fluidity of the user interface. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1400 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra will be slightly more visible outdoors in direct sunlight; both are very bright. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Dimensity 7300 Energy | The Axon 40 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship-level chip, offering superior performance for demanding tasks, like gaming and editing; The Dimensity 7300 is no slouch but is a mid range chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 702,140 | The Axon 40 Ultra demonstrates considerably higher performance in benchmarks, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G615 MC2 | The Adreno 730 in the Axon 40 Ultra is better equipped for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Axon 40 Ultra boasts a higher resolution main sensor, with a wider aperture and larger sensor size, suggesting better low-light performance and more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.0 | The Reno12 has a higher resolution front-facing camera, capturing more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5 | Not Available | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Reno12 offers a wide angle lens, useful for landscape shots and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Reno12 offers a macro lens for closeup shots. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 64MP, f/2.3 | Not Available | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated ultrawide lens, useful for landscape shots and group photos. |
| ToF 3D sensor | 0.3MP | Not Available | The Axon 40 Ultra has a ToF 3D sensor for depth sensing and AR applications. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Axon 40 Ultra offers higher resolution video recording, suitable for professional-grade footage. The Reno12 has more stabilization features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacities, likely providing comparable all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 80W | The Reno12 has faster-charging, getting you back to 100% more quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, max 13 | Android 14, max 17 | The Reno12 has a newer operating system with a greater update window. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | The Reno12 supports newer codecs which should provide better audio quality and connection. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 1TB | Up to 512 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has larger storage options, making it suitable for users who need to store a lot of photos, videos, and files. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | Up to 16 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra is available with more RAM, which can be better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS, Stereo speakers | Basic audio | The Axon 40 Ultra's audio features are superior, offering enhanced surround sound, better audio separation and immersion for a better media experience. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Reno12 offers the best-in-class screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Hall | Geomagnetic | Both phones have similar sensors with small variations that may enhance AR applications. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone is a performance powerhouse thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offering a significant edge in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The camera system is versatile with higher resolution main and telephoto sensors and has an under-display selfie camera. It also offers up to 1TB of storage and 18GB of RAM for hardcore users. The audio quality is a highlight with DTS and stereo speakers, and the brightness is slightly better for outdoor usage.
- Trade-offs: It is a bit thicker and heavier, and has an older operating system, and lacks modern screen protection.
- Competitive Edge: A high-end chipset in a smartphone with under-display camera technology.
Oppo Reno12:
- Strengths: The Reno12 shines with its lightweight design, superior screen protection, faster charging, a better selfie camera, and is running a more up-to-date operating system with future proofing in mind.
- Trade-offs: It sacrifices some power for greater portability and has a lower-performing main camera, a smaller storage and RAM ceiling, and basic audio.
- Competitive Edge: A sleek design and latest technology in a mid-range smartphone.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best suited for: Power users, gamers, content creators, and those who prioritize performance and camera versatility.
- Use cases:
- Heavy multitasking, running demanding apps
- High-fidelity mobile gaming
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos with greater zoom capabilities
- Multimedia consumption with superior audio quality
- Price-to-Value: Best value for those who need top-tier performance and aren't worried about the slightly larger size and weight and older OS.
Oppo Reno12:
- Best suited for: Everyday users who value a lightweight design, fast charging, and a good selfie camera.
- Use cases:
- Daily social media use, photography, and navigation
- Casual gaming and streaming
- Users who like a sleek, lightweight device that is easy to carry
- Price-to-Value: A good balance between price and features for the average user, especially those who prioritize usability over top-tier specifications and want future proofing with OS updates.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your choice:
How important is raw performance and camera versatility?
- If you need the best performance for gaming and video editing, the Axon 40 Ultra is a better choice.
- If you do not need top-tier performance the Reno12 will satisfy.
What do you value more: premium build, faster charging and lighter weight or a larger storage and enhanced audio experience?
- If you prefer a lighter phone, superior screen protection and faster charging, the Reno12 is the better pick.
- If you value enhanced audio, bigger internal storage, and don't mind a slightly heavier device, the Axon 40 Ultra is the way to go.
How important is having the latest operating system and how long do you want this device to last?
- If you value having a newer device with more OS updates in the future, the Reno12 is a better choice.
- If you are comfortable with older OS versions and updates, the Axon 40 Ultra should suffice.
My Choice
If it were my money, I would pick the Oppo Reno12. While the Axon 40 Ultra boasts a more powerful chipset and a versatile camera, the Oppo Reno12 offers a more refined and balanced experience. The Reno12 is better for every day usage and is more future proof with OS updates. The most important things for me are a lightweight design, excellent screen protection, fast charging and a newer operating system which the Reno12 provides. These are more important to me than the slightly better performance and a higher end camera with optical zoom, because I am not a gamer or a heavy video editor. While the Axon 40 Ultra wins in certain categories, the Reno12’s balanced feature set and a better OS is more practical for my typical use case, and that is the most important thing to look for when buying a new smartphone.
