Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy M35. As a tech journalist with a penchant for the nitty-gritty, I'm excited to dissect what makes each of these devices tick, and, more importantly, how they'll fit into your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the specs, along with what they actually mean for your daily usage:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2024-05-24 | The M35 is a much newer phone. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm | The M35 is a bit wider and thicker, meaning the Axon 40 Ultra might feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 204g | 222g | The Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably lighter, which makes a difference over extended usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | Axon 40 Ultra provides a larger display, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2340 | Axon 40 Ultra has sharper image quality due to higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 390 | Both have very crisp screens, not a big practical difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Axon 40 Ultra's display will be much more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 1380 | The Snapdragon is a high-end chip; expect faster app loading and overall performance on Axon 40 Ultra. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 578,500 | Axon 40 Ultra's benchmark score means vastly superior performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Axon 40 Ultra’s Adreno chip offers much higher graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The M35 has a significantly larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 25W | The Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | A negligible difference in practical use. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Rear Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution, resulting in more detailed photos. |
| Main Rear Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | Axon 40 Ultra's wider aperture allows more light in, better for low light. |
| Main Rear Sensor Size | 1/1.72" | 1/2" | Axon 40 Ultra has a larger sensor, which can capture more light and detail. |
| Main Rear Sensor | Sony IMX787 | Sony LYT-600 | Both are reputable sensors but they have different characteristics. |
| Main Rear Pixel size | 0.70 µm | 1.00 µm | Galaxy M35's larger pixel size allows for more light intake per pixel. |
| Selfie Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | Axon 40 Ultra captures higher resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | Axon 40 Ultra's wider aperture will perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Pixel Size | 1.22 µm | 1.12 µm | Axon 40 Ultra's slightly larger pixel size could capture better quality selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP | None | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zooming. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP | The M35 has a dedicated ultrawide camera. |
| ToF 3D sensor | 0.3MP | None | Axon 40 Ultra has a ToF for depth perception. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | The M35 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP | None | The Axon 40 Ultra combines ultrawide and macro. |
| Video | 8K@30fps | 4K@30fps | Axon 40 Ultra has higher video resolution and frame-rate options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Max 13) | Android 14 | The M35 has the advantage with its newer operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The M35 offers a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | QZSS | Both have all the standard location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 1TB | Up to 256GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has much higher maximum internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | Up to 8GB | The Axon 40 Ultra can handle more intensive multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | DTS/DTS X | Dolby Atmos | Both provide premium sound experiences, with different enhancements. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | The M35 uses a more modern fingerprint reader. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | The M35 has very strong screen protection for durability. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Strengths:
- Performance Powerhouse: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, coupled with up to 18GB of RAM, delivers top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. Its much higher AnTuTu benchmark score confirms this.
- Superior Display: A larger, higher-resolution display with excellent brightness makes it great for consuming content, even outdoors.
- Advanced Camera System: Boasts higher resolution sensors, a telephoto lens, and 8K video recording capabilities, plus a wide angle and macro capabilities.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging is a significant advantage for quickly topping up the battery.
- Massive Storage: Offers up to 1TB of internal storage, suitable for those who need to store a lot of files.
- Competitive Advantages:
- The sheer processing power and display quality make it a premium option for performance-focused users.
- The camera system offers a versatile set of lenses and high-end video features.
- Trade-offs:
- Older OS.
- Slightly smaller battery (5000mAh) compared to Samsung, although it benefits from fast charging.
- The design, though sleek, may be less durable than the Samsung due to the lack of known screen protection.
- Lacks a dedicated ultra-wide angle lens.
Samsung Galaxy M35
- Strengths:
- Long-Lasting Battery: The 6000mAh battery is a huge advantage, ensuring all-day usage without worrying about charging.
- Latest Software: Ships with Android 14, offering access to the latest features and security updates.
- Strong Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides excellent screen protection for durability.
- Solid Camera System: Good main sensor with a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, making it suitable for capturing various shots.
- Modern fingerprint reader: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more convenient.
- Competitive Advantages:
- The combination of a large battery, modern software, and robust build makes it an excellent daily driver.
- The camera setup is very versatile with all the needed lenses.
- Trade-offs:
- Significantly lower performance due to the Exynos 1380 chipset.
- Lower resolution and brightness display, not ideal in bright sunlight.
- Slower charging at 25W.
- No Telephoto camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Ideal For: Gamers, content creators, power users who demand top-tier performance, and those who need a high-end camera system.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, capturing high-resolution photos and videos, multitasking, and those who need a display that is viewable in bright sunlight.
- Price-to-Value: If you are willing to pay for peak performance, a high quality display and high-end camera features, the Axon 40 Ultra is an excellent value.
Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Ideal For: General users who prioritize long battery life, a robust build, and a reliable daily driver with a very capable camera system.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks like social media, browsing, photography, and consuming media on the go. This is a better phone for prolonged use when there's no option to charge.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a good balance between features and price, especially if battery life and durability are a priority.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose the right phone:
- Do you prioritize performance and image quality?
- If yes, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the way to go.
- Is long battery life and durability a priority?
- If yes, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is the better choice.
- Are you a content creator or a mobile gamer?
- If yes, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra with its high-end camera features and performance is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Mobile Gamer: If you're a serious mobile gamer, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's superior performance and better display are unmatched here.
- The Outdoorsy Photographer: For those who take a lot of pictures, the Axon 40 Ultra has the better high-end features. The M35 is still a capable camera phone, however.
- The Busy Professional: If you need a reliable phone that won't die on you in the middle of a busy day, the Samsung Galaxy M35 with its massive battery is the best bet.
- The Budget-Conscious User: The Samsung Galaxy M35 offers great value for money, balancing a long battery life with good specs at a more affordable price.
- The Multimedia Fan: If you love watching movies and videos, the Axon 40 Ultra's screen will provide the best viewing experience thanks to the larger size and much higher brightness.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would personally pick the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Galaxy M35 has some compelling advantages, namely a bigger battery and better durability, the Axon 40 Ultra is the superior device in almost every other important aspect. Its higher performance, top-tier camera features, and brighter screen make it the winner for me. As someone who enjoys gaming, creating content, and likes a very high quality display, the Axon 40 Ultra is the no-brainer for me. The better processing power is also an important aspect, as I do a lot of multitasking. While the M35 is a very solid phone for many users, the Axon 40 Ultra is better tailored to my needs.
