Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Buckle up, because these two phones are playing in entirely different leagues! I've got my engineering hat on and am ready to break down what these specifications really mean for your daily use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown, focusing on what matters most to you, the user:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2022-10-10 | The A04 is about 5 months newer |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding smartphones. |
| Size | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm | Axon 40 is slightly shorter and thinner, while the A04 is a bit taller and bulkier; the differences are pretty minor here |
| Weight | 204g | 192g | The A04 is a little bit lighter, which can be beneficial for prolonged holding and portability |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | The Axon 40 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area; noticeable when watching videos or gaming. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 720 x 1600 | Axon 40 Ultra has a much sharper and clearer display due to significantly higher pixel count; makes text crisp and images detailed. |
| PPI | 400 | 270 | The Axon 40 Ultra boasts much higher pixel density for crisper visuals; great for viewing detailed content and photos. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | Axon 40 Ultra offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the LCD on the A04; looks much more vibrant. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Axon 40 Ultra provides noticeably smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences, while A04 is more basic. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra is dramatically brighter and much easier to use outdoors under direct sunlight; the A04 has no listed brightness and thus will be difficult to see outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) | Axon 40 Ultra's chipset is incredibly powerful, leading to significantly faster performance for all tasks; A04 is suitable for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 124,000 | Axon 40 Ultra delivers vastly superior performance, being more than 7x faster, suitable for demanding games and multitasking; A04 struggles with anything more than basic tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Axon 40 Ultra's GPU handles high-end gaming and graphic-intensive tasks flawlessly; the A04's GPU is very basic. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution main sensor with a wider aperture and better image quality and low light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision | 5MP, f/2.2 | Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera, leading to detailed selfies; much better for video calls as well. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | None | Axon 40 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities, lacking on the A04; better at taking pictures with zoom. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | None | Axon 40 Ultra has a versatile wide-angle and macro sensor; you'll be able to take more variety of shots compared to the A04 which has nothing to compete here. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | Axon 40 Ultra has a Time-of-Flight sensor for depth sensing, the A04 does not. |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A04 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, this is lacking on the ZTE which instead relies on other lenses and computational photography. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Axon 40 Ultra is capable of professional quality video recording with 8K and high framerate options; A04 is just a basic 1080p option here. |
| Stabilization | Yes | No | Axon 40 Ultra supports image stabilization, leading to less shaky videos. |
| Slow-Motion | Yes, 480 fps | No, 30 fps | The Axon 40 Ultra has far more capable slow-motion videos |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar capacity; expect comparable battery life, though real world battery life will depend on usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster due to 65W fast charging; a full charge will be much quicker on the Axon 40 |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 | Both devices ship with Android 12 but can be updated to version 13 |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Dual-Band, MIMO | Wi-Fi 4 | Axon 40 Ultra supports faster WiFi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Axon 40 Ultra has a more modern Bluetooth version for better efficiency |
| GPS | L1+L5 Dual-Band | GPS | Axon 40 Ultra offers better location accuracy via Dual-band GPS, along with support for a wider range of GPS protocols. |
| RAM | 8 GB / 12GB / 16GB / 18GB | 3 GB / 4GB / 6 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has vastly more RAM which leads to better multitasking, especially in higher storage variants. |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1024 GB | 32 GB / 64 GB / 128 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has higher storage options, more space for apps and media. |
| Audio | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Basic Audio | Axon 40 Ultra has a better audio experience for media consumption and voice quality. |
| Security | Fingerprint | Basic Security | Axon 40 Ultra has better biometric security with a fingerprint sensor |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices have unknown screen protection |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Proximity, Accelerometer | Axon 40 Ultra has a more advanced suite of sensors |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Axon 40 Ultra is a true powerhouse. Its standout features include the stunning AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1500 nits of brightness. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, coupled with a huge RAM configuration, means it can handle anything you throw at it. The camera system is incredibly versatile, with high-resolution main, telephoto, and ultrawide sensors, plus 8K video recording capabilities. Finally, the 65W fast charging is a massive convenience for quickly getting back up and running.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone is aimed at the flagship market. The under-display camera and advanced camera system is not something you see on the vast majority of devices.
- Trade-offs: No expandable storage; this device does not support any microSD card so you'll be limited to whatever storage option you choose.
Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Strengths: The A04 is designed to be an affordable smartphone for basic usage. It does include basic features for day to day use and has a large battery.
- Competitive Advantages: The A04 is priced as a budget device; the battery and lower weight are designed to help this device last all day.
- Trade-offs: The A04 lags dramatically behind in terms of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The Mediatek Helio P35 is an aging chipset and struggles with even basic tasks. It will feel slow in general use.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Ideal Users: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who values top-tier performance and display quality.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, high-resolution video editing, professional-level photography and videography, seamless multitasking.
- Value Proposition: If you need flagship-level performance and want top-of-the-line features without compromise, the Axon 40 Ultra is worth the investment.
Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Ideal Users: Casual users, individuals who need a basic smartphone for calling, texting, and simple browsing, those with a very tight budget.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, social media browsing, and simple mobile games.
- Value Proposition: The A04 is suitable as a budget friendly device. The value proposition here is that it is an affordable device that fulfills basic smartphone requirements.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
How important is performance to me?
- If you need smooth, fast performance for demanding tasks and games, the Axon 40 Ultra is the clear choice. For basic needs and budget constraints, the A04 suffices.
What kind of display experience do I value?
- If you prioritize a vibrant, sharp display with excellent outdoor visibility, the Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED with 120Hz and 1500 nits is miles ahead. The A04's display is adequate for basic usage but will feel slow and hard to view in direct sunlight.
How important are camera capabilities and video recording quality?
- If you regularly take photos or record videos, the Axon 40 Ultra's versatile camera system and 8K recording are essential. The A04's camera is designed for simple photos and will not compare to the versatility of the Axon 40's camera system.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Gaming Focus If you prioritize smooth gaming, intensive multitasking, and demanding apps, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the only choice here; you simply cannot perform these tasks on the A04 due to its underpowered processor and GPU.
- Scenario 2: Budget Conscious User If you are on a tight budget and need a basic device for calls, texts, and very light browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A04 can work for you.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Content Creation If you are looking for a versatile camera system and the ability to record video, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is your go-to device here with its diverse set of lenses and video recording capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to pick between these two devices, the choice is incredibly obvious. I would definitely choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. The performance difference between these two devices is massive. The Axon 40 Ultra’s vastly superior display, camera capabilities, faster charging, and overall performance make it the clear winner. While the A04 might suffice for basic tasks, the Axon 40 Ultra offers an experience that is leagues ahead in every aspect that matters to me. The fast charging, professional grade cameras, 120hz OLED display, and cutting edge performance and RAM options are enough to justify the increase in price. For me, the user experience difference and sheer flexibility is absolutely worth the investment.
