Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. These are two very different beasts, each with its own unique strengths and target audience. Buckle up, because we're about to get technical and practical.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Fold5 offers a larger, tablet-like screen, Axon 40 Ultra is a standard smartphone experience. |
| Dimensions | 163.3x73.6x8.4mm | 154.9x129.9x6.1mm | Z Fold5 is shorter but significantly wider when unfolded; Axon is thinner. |
| Weight | 204g | 253g | Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 7.6" | Z Fold5 has a larger viewing area, great for media and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1812x2176 | Z Fold5 has significantly more pixels, resulting in sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 400 | 373 | Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper screen, though the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Axon 40 Ultra benefits from superior contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Axon 40 Ultra is better for outdoor viewing in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Z Fold5's chipset is newer, delivering faster performance and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,538,914 | Z Fold5 is significantly faster in benchmarks, leading to smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Z Fold5 provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | Axon 40 Ultra has a larger battery, likely offering better battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast | 25W fast | Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Z Fold5 offers wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 64MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has higher resolution, but Fold5 has a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 10MP, f/2.2 | Axon 40 Ultra has higher resolution, wider aperture. |
| Telephoto lens | 64MP, f/3.5 | 10MP, f/2.4 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has much higher resolution for zoom shots. |
| Wide Angle lens | Null | 12MP, f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3 | Null | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra combines Wide angle and Macro functionality |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP, f/0 | Null | Axon 40 Ultra includes a time-of-flight sensor for depth information. |
| Video Quality | Up to 8K@120fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both have excellent video capabilities, Axon is capable of capturing more frames in 4K. |
| DxOMark Score | Null | 128 | The Galaxy Fold 5 has been tested and provides a good baseline for camera performance. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Under display camera | Triple camera, Under display camera | Both have the under display camera tech, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a 4 camera setup vs 3 for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 13) | Android 13 (Up to 17) | Z Fold5 ships with a more recent version of Android and better future OS upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 features cutting edge WiFi Technology |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both have Bluetooth 5.2 with LE. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Z Fold5 has wider satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano + eSIM | Z Fold5 offers eSIM capability for flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 1TB | Up to 1TB | Both offer up to 1 TB of storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8/12/16/18GB | 12GB | Axon 40 Ultra offers up to 18GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Axon 40 Ultra focuses on voice recording and sound separation, Z Fold5 on spatial sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Z Fold5's fingerprint sensor is more convenient to use. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Samsung uses a high-end protection for its screen |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Z Fold5 includes a compass and barometer for richer sensor data. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Strengths
- Display: The AMOLED screen with higher pixel density, and 1500 nits of brightness delivers exceptional visuals, especially outdoors.
- Camera System: The quad camera setup, including the impressive resolution of its main and telephoto lens, gives users a lot of flexibility when taking photos.
- Charging: The 65W fast charging is a standout feature, allowing for quicker battery top-ups.
- Battery: The larger 5000mAh battery will likely provide longer battery life.
- Price: Generally, ZTE phones offer a more competitive price point than Samsung flagships.
- RAM: Up to 18GB of RAM makes for a very high multi-tasking performance.
- Audio: Offers a focus on voice recording and surround sound thanks to the 3 mics, DTS, DTS X features.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: Strengths
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique, transformative experience. When unfolded, the larger screen provides more workspace.
- Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with the Adreno 740 GPU provides significantly faster performance across the board.
- Software: Runs the newest Android version with better software upgrades.
- Ecosystem Integration: Part of the Samsung ecosystem that comes with its own perks like seamless device integration.
- Additional Battery Features: Supports both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding flexibility to battery use.
- Connectivity: cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 provides blazing-fast data speeds.
- Build Quality: Better screen protection (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2) and additional sensors.
- Camera: Features a dedicated wide angle lens and very high quality results (DxOMark score of 128).
- Audio: Dolby Atmos for immersive and spacious sound.
Trade-offs
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: Lacks the advanced features of the Galaxy, like foldable design and wireless charging. May fall short in sheer processing power compared to the Z Fold5.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: Significantly heavier, much more expensive, and has a smaller battery with slower charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best for: Users who prioritize display quality, fast charging, a top camera setup, and excellent battery life without the need for a foldable design.
- Use Cases: Gamers, media consumers, photographers on a budget, and power users who don't need the unique flexibility of a foldable phone.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5:
- Best for: Users who want the ultimate productivity device with a transformative foldable experience and don't mind paying a premium price.
- Use Cases: Professionals who use their phone for work and require the versatility of a larger screen, media enthusiasts who want a premium viewing experience, and early adopters who want the latest technology.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you need a foldable device? If the answer is yes, the Z Fold5 is your only option here. If not, both phones are contenders.
- Is price a major concern? If you’re on a budget, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra will offer similar core features for less. The Z Fold5 carries a premium price tag for its unique foldable design.
- What do you prioritize more, camera capabilities or processing power? The Axon 40 Ultra excels in camera specs, whereas the Z Fold5 leads in chipset performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Tech Enthusiast: Go with the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, which offers similar display quality, great camera capabilities, and impressive charging speeds, at a much lower price.
- Productivity Power User: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 will offer a more immersive productivity experience thanks to its large unfolded screen and its ecosystem integration with other Samsung devices.
- Mobile Gamer: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra with its larger battery, fast charging, and impressive RAM, is a good choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a better choice due to its superior chipset and graphical processing, making a great gaming experience.
- Photo Enthusiast: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a more versatile camera setup on paper, however, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 provides a higher quality in pictures with its great image processing and it features a wide angle lens.
What I Would Choose and Why!
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, but with a very heavy heart. While the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is incredibly tempting with its impressive camera specs, faster charging, and larger battery, the overall experience the Z Fold5 offers is too compelling for me to pass up. The transformative nature of a foldable device, coupled with the latest chipset, a much better software experience, and additional quality of life features like the wireless charging, is worth the additional cost for me personally. As someone who enjoys a versatile device that can quickly switch between work and entertainment, the Z Fold5 would be a device I can use daily without ever having to feel like I'm missing something.
If money was more of a concern and I wasn't in need of a foldable screen, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra would be my pick. It's a fantastic all-rounder with excellent features and great value for the cost.
