Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 IV. Both are flagship-level phones, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. Let's break down the specs and see what makes each one tick.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm, 204g | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm, 185g | The Axon is wider and heavier, while the Xperia is taller and lighter. The Xperia is more pocketable and comfy for longer use. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Xperia offers better screen protection against scratches and drops, and also is a known quality brand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | The Axon has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, but it's not a huge difference. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia has a significantly sharper display, offering much higher detail and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 400 PPI | 643 PPI | The Xperia screen will appear crisper, with less noticeable pixelation than on the Axon. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer great color and contrast. Not a significant difference between the two here. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Axon's screen will be far more visible outdoors in bright sunlight; the Xperia does not provide sufficient brightness information. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both offer similar high-end processing power for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,076,100 | Performance will be comparable, with both being extremely powerful for every day tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Identical GPUs, suggesting very similar graphics processing abilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", 0.7µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.8µm | The Axon has higher resolution but a smaller sensor; the Xperia has larger pixels, which can be better in low light, however its resolution is quite lower. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.22µm | 12MP, f/2.0 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", 0.7µm | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | The Axon offers higher resolution and larger sensor; Xperia has slightly better light capture capability in telephoto, as well. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Specified | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Xperia includes a dedicated wide angle lens, which the Axon lacks. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | Not Specified | Both have ToF 3D sensor cameras, which can be used for AR apps and better photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", 0.7µm | Not Specified | The Axon can take impressive macro photos. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@120fps | The Axon offers 8K resolution, while the Xperia maxes out at 4K. |
| DxoMark | Not Specified | Overall: 105 Photo: 107 Video: 92 | The Xperia is tested by DxoMark, with a good score, while the Axon does not have an available score. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life for average usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Axon charges significantly faster than the Xperia. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Bypass charging can prolong battery health for the Xperia. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Both offer similar Android experiences, upgradable to the next OS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB/1024 GB | 256 GB/512 GB | ZTE Axon has more options for capacity. |
| RAM | 8 GB/12 GB/16 GB/18 GB | 12 GB/16 GB | ZTE Axon offers a 18 GB option for more intensive users. |
| Expandable | No | No | No option for storage expansion on either model. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | DTS / DTS X, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both offer good audio with slightly different strengths. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Xperia has a more advanced fingerprint sensor placement. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Axon boasts an incredibly bright display for superior outdoor visibility, faster charging, higher resolution and sensor sizes in several cameras and a unique under-display selfie camera for a notch-free display.
- Competitive Advantages: Ideal for users who prioritize multimedia consumption, fast charging and a visually unobstructed screen. The higher resolution and sensor size of the Axon's telephoto lens and unique wide-angle macro lens provide some creative options for photography.
- Trade-offs: The physical dimensions and weight can be less portable than the Xperia 1 IV. The screen protection is unknown, compared to the Xperia 1 IV's Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Strengths: It features a remarkably crisp, high-resolution display, a lightweight and more pocketable build, and better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Competitive Advantages: Ideal for users who want the sharpest display, improved screen protection, and a high-quality audio experience. The inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle camera enhances the phone’s versatility.
- Trade-offs: Slower charging and lacks some of the Axon's camera features like an 8K video resolution or the macro lens, and does not mention its maximum brightness.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best Suited For: Multimedia enthusiasts, gamers, photographers wanting versatile shooting options, and users who prioritize rapid charging and a super bright screen.
- Use Cases: Watching high-resolution videos, playing graphics-intensive games, taking photos in varying lighting conditions, and using the device outdoors on a regular basis.
- Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Best Suited For: Audiophiles, mobile photographers seeking accurate color reproduction, users who prefer compact and pocketable devices, those needing better display sharpness, and those valuing better screen protection.
- Use Cases: Enjoying high-fidelity music and videos, professional photography, capturing detailed, crisp photos and videos, and those seeking a premium feel.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users choose between these phones:
- Display Quality vs. Brightness: Do you prioritize an exceptionally sharp, high-resolution display (Sony Xperia 1 IV), or are you more concerned with having a display that's highly visible in bright sunlight (ZTE Axon 40 Ultra)?
- Camera Needs: Do you prefer a higher resolution in your telephoto and main camera with macro capabilities (ZTE Axon 40 Ultra) or the versatility of a dedicated wide-angle camera, better low-light performance, and a premium build and screen protection (Sony Xperia 1 IV)?
- Portability and Charging: Do you prefer a lighter, more pocketable phone, even with slower charging (Sony Xperia 1 IV), or are you okay with a heavier phone in exchange for much faster charging (ZTE Axon 40 Ultra)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Outdoor Enthusiast/Videographer: Go for the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra for the bright display, 8K resolution video, and fast charging.
- Mobile Photographer/Audiophile: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV for its refined display, excellent audio features, DxoMark score and versatile camera system, including its wide-angle and telephoto options.
- Power User: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a slightly higher end RAM, alongside a larger capacity of storage options, so this would be your best bet.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd lean toward the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has some impressive specs like a brighter screen and faster charging, I'm drawn to the Xperia 1 IV's superior display sharpness, better build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and the inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle lens that improves creative flexibility. The DxoMark score of the Xperia 1 IV is something that I would also look for. Finally, although the Axon boasts a slightly larger screen and higher resolution, the Xperia's 643 PPI offers an image quality that I personally find more appealing and the more compact nature of the phone makes it more comfortable in the hand.
Although the Axon is a tempting buy, the superior all around quality of the Sony would win me over.
