Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A35. As a tech journalist, I'm less interested in marketing hype and more in how these phones perform in real life. Here's a breakdown of their specs, key insights, and recommendations to help you make the right choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of both phones, along with real-world implications:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm | ZTE taller, A35 wider, Axon slightly thicker. A35 might feel more compact in hand due to width. |
| Weight | 204g | 209g | ZTE is 5g lighter, could be noticeable during extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | ZTE has a slightly larger screen, better for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 | 1080 x 2340 | ZTE offers slightly sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 400 | 390 | Both have similar pixel density, sharpness will be mostly similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones use AMOLED, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Axon has much higher brightness, much better for outdoors in bright sunlight. A35 may struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 1380 | Snapdragon is a flagship chip, expect far better app loading and gaming. Exynos is mid-range, fine for daily use but weaker for intense tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 578,500 | ZTE is significantly faster, better for gaming, multitasking and resource-intensive applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 730 is the better of the two, this is also indicative of the higher performance available on the Axon. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | ZTE charges much faster, reduces downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Generally Li-Polymer is preferred, but both are Non-Removable |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96" | Axon has higher resolution and larger sensor with wider aperture, should result in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Axon has slightly higher resolution and aperture, generally better for selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5 | None | ZTE has a telephoto lens, allows optical zoom without loss of quality. Samsung lacks any dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Samsung has a dedicated wide-angle lens, allowing for wider shots. The ZTE has a combined wide/macro, although not a dedicated wide. |
| ToF 3D sensor | 0.3MP | None | Axon has a ToF sensor for better depth sensing and AR apps. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens, good for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" | None | Axon has a combined wide/macro, better flexibility for photos. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@30fps | ZTE offers higher video resolution and frame rates, better for professional content creation. Samsung has good standard 4K video. |
| DxOMark Scores | N/A | Main: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | Samsung camera tested, shows good but not top performance. ZTE unrated. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Samsung comes with a newer Android version, which might have newer features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones have similar WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 | Samsung has slightly newer version with more profiles. |
| GPS | L1+L5 GPS, GLONASS L1 | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung uses QZSS, ZTE uses L1+L5 GPS and GLONASS L1 |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 128GB/256GB | ZTE has much more storage options and capacity, better if you have a lot of media. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB/16GB/18GB | 6GB/8GB | ZTE has much more RAM, better for demanding tasks and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, pick storage carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS/DTS X, 3 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both have stereo speakers, good audio. ZTE has DTS and extra mics, Samsung has Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have basic fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung has glass screen protection, ZTE unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have the core sensors, however, proximity sensor on the A35 is virtual. ZTE additionally features a Gravity sensor, and the A35 additionally features Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a huge performance advantage, making it excellent for gaming, heavy multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Superior Display: The 1500 nits brightness makes the display much better for outdoor use. The larger size, slightly higher resolution, and similar pixel density enhance the viewing experience.
- Versatile Camera System: The Axon boasts a higher-resolution main camera, a dedicated telephoto lens, a combined wide-angle/macro lens and a ToF sensor providing more creative options and versatility, especially at telephoto range. Also, the better aperture for the standard and selfie cameras is a plus.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Higher RAM/Storage Options: More RAM and significantly more storage capacity provide more options and are better for power users.
- Higher Video Resolution: 8K and higher frame rate 4K video.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Strengths:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, which ensures longer software support and the latest features.
- Wider Camera: A dedicated wide-angle camera is better for landscape or group shots.
- Macro Lens: The dedicated macro lens is better for close-up shots.
- Good Main Camera: Solid performance in standard camera, especially given the DxOMark testing
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus: Provides significantly better screen protection.
- Better Bluetooth: Has the newest version of bluetooth.
- More Audio Profiles: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support.
- Compact Build: Slightly smaller design that might be more comfortable for some users.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Older Android version, unknown screen protection, lacks dedicated macro and wide-angle lens. Also, the absence of a DxOMark rating means we can't be sure about its camera performance, although specifications suggest it should be great.
- Samsung Galaxy A35: Weaker mid-range performance, lower brightness, slower charging speeds, fewer camera options and overall higher price point for the lower performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Ideal For: Gamers, power users, photographers, those who prioritize performance, display quality, video and want lots of storage.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography/videography, content creators, heavy multitasking.
- Why: The powerful chipset, high refresh rate display, great camera system, fast charging, and storage options make it perfect for these scenarios.
Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Ideal For: Average users, those who prioritize camera features such as a wide lens or macro lens and the most recent version of Android, and care about screen protection.
- Use Cases: Everyday social media, casual gaming, and general use.
- Why: The more recent Android version, wide angle, and macro camera, good battery life and strong screen protection.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary focus? Performance or Software/Camera: If you need a powerhouse for demanding tasks, the ZTE is a clear winner. If you want the latest version of Android and care more about the camera with the inclusion of a macro and wide angle lens, the Samsung is better.
- How important is screen brightness? If you often use your phone in bright sunlight, the ZTE's brighter screen is a huge advantage, while if you are indoors, the two phones are likely similar.
- What is the price-to-value ratio? The ZTE offers flagship performance and features at a likely lower cost for the performance, while the Samsung A35 is generally priced to sit between the midrange and high end.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gamer/Power User: Go for the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. The chipset, RAM, display, and fast charging make it ideal for demanding use.
- Everyday User: The Samsung Galaxy A35 would fit, however, the ZTE would offer higher performance and better battery life while costing a likely similar or lower price.
- Photography Enthusiast: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is better for most photography, particularly those who value telephoto. The A35 will be good for macro and wide-angle, but the Axon will be better for telephoto, main camera, and selfie camera.
Personal Choice
For me, the choice is clear: I'd pick the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy A35 has its merits with its newer software and dedicated wide angle and macro cameras, the Axon 40 Ultra offers a far superior overall experience for my needs. I value the top-tier performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and it's higher brightness display is also a big plus for me, particularly as I spend a lot of time using my phone in direct sunlight and the telephoto lens is essential for my photography. While I would miss the dedicated macro and wide angle lens, this is a sacrifice I would be willing to make. Plus, as a user who often needs to multitask, the large amount of RAM and storage is essential, along with the faster charging. Overall, it delivers more value and a more powerful, versatile package for my use cases.
