Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro. These are two powerful devices, each with unique strengths. As always, I’ll be focusing on the practical implications of these specs, translating technical jargon into real-world user experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specs, with a focus on what they mean for you:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162.8 × 75.4 × 8.6 mm | Similar size and weight, but the Poco F5 Pro is slightly wider, which might affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 204g | 204g | Both phones feel substantial but not excessively heavy, similar feel in hand |
| Build Material | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F5 Pro has better known screen durability. ZTE's is unknown. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a slightly larger display for a more immersive experience |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1440x3200 | The Poco F5 Pro's higher resolution means sharper, more detailed images. This will be especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 400 | 526 | The Poco F5 Pro’s higher PPI offers noticeably sharper text and visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1400 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra will perform slightly better in direct sunlight thanks to a higher max brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | The Poco F5 Pro has a newer, more efficient chip which translates to better performance in benchmarks and potentially better battery efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 1,061,300 | 1,317,798 | The Poco F5 Pro is noticeably faster, which translates to snappier app loading, smoother gaming, and overall better responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 | Both use the same GPU, though potentially with different configurations, for a similar graphical performance, although the CPU in the Poco will help. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" OV64B | The Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture and a larger sensor, which usually means better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.22µm, Omnivision | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" OV16A1Q | Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low light selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" OV64B | None | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" OV08D10 | The Poco F5 Pro offers a wide-angle lens, beneficial for group photos and landscape shots. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | None | The Axon 40 Ultra features a ToF sensor for improved depth mapping. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" OV02B10 | The Poco F5 Pro features a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, although its low resolution may be limiting. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787 | None | ZTE features a strong Wide angle/macro lens for detailed close up photos |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@120fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both phones can record in 8K, though the Axon 40 Ultra can record at a higher frame rate, but in the lower frame rate, the Poco F5 Pro is more stable. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, LAF, Under Display Camera, 4K, 8K | OIS, PDAF, Manual, Ultra Stable Video, 4K, 8K, Noise Reduction | Each offers similar features with unique extras. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5160mAh | Both have similar capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, which should last a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging, but the Poco is slightly faster |
| Wireless Charging | None | 30W Wireless Charging | The Poco F5 Pro provides convenient wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | The Poco F5 Pro ships with a newer Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The Poco F5 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with support for APT-x, LDAC, SBC and AAC codecs for better audio quality over wireless headphones |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | The Poco F5 Pro supports a wider array of GPS systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1024 GB | 256GB, 512GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has more storage options, including a 1TB variant for users who need maximum space. |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, 18GB | 8GB, 12GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has higher RAM options, which will benefit heavy multitaskers and gamers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows you to expand the storage. |
2. Key Insights
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- Larger Display: Great for media consumption and immersive experiences.
- Higher Max Brightness: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Unique Camera Setup: Boasts an under-display camera for an uninterrupted screen experience, and includes dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle + Macro lenses, and a ToF 3D sensor.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Up to 18GB of RAM and 1TB of storage cater to power users.
- Competitive Advantages: The under-display camera for an uninterrupted viewing experience. The unique sensor array and flexibility with different cameras are something many competitor phones don't have.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, lower pixel density, no wireless charging, and unknown screen protection.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper visuals and better clarity.
- Superior Performance: A more powerful and efficient processor for smoother overall operation.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient 30W wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer version for better audio quality with wireless headphones.
- More GPS Support: More accurate location tracking.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better screen durability.
- Competitive Advantages: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and wireless charging.
- Trade-offs: A smaller display and slightly lower brightness in direct sunlight. Lacks the versatility of the unique Axon camera setup.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Best For: Users who prioritize a large, uninterrupted display for media consumption, unique camera setups, and maximum RAM/storage. It's great for those who want to push their phone to the max with large files, complex editing, or demanding applications.
- Use Cases: Watching movies, playing games, editing photos/videos, professional creative workflows.
- Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro:
- Best For: Users who want the best performance, a sharp and detailed display, and the convenience of wireless charging. It’s ideal for gamers, heavy app users, and people who need a reliable daily driver.
- Use Cases: Gaming, multitasking, everyday tasks, capturing standard photos and videos with a good wide angle lens.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- Do I prioritize display size and an under-display camera over resolution? If yes, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better pick.
- Is top-tier performance and wireless charging essential for my daily use? If so, choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro.
- Which camera setup do I prefer? If you want the versatility of a Telephoto, a dedicated Wide Angle+Macro, and a ToF sensor, ZTE is the pick. If you want a standard setup with a standard wide angle lens, Poco F5 Pro is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro offers better overall performance and a sharper display, along with better bluetooth, making it more suitable.
- For Media Consumers: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra provides a larger screen and higher peak brightness, but consider the sharper display on the Poco F5 Pro.
- For Power Users: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra with its larger storage options and RAM capacity could be more appealing.
Which one would I choose and why?
Personally, I'd lean towards the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro.
Here's why:
While the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has many innovative features, the Poco F5 Pro strikes the right balance for my daily needs. The newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip provides a noticeable performance boost which for me is more important than the additional camera lens. The higher resolution display is a very noticeable improvement for general use. The added convenience of wireless charging is also a must-have for me.
While I do find the unique under-display camera and telephoto lens of the Axon 40 Ultra intriguing, I would rather use the Poco F5 Pro as my daily driver. I feel it would be more practical for me.
