Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. As a tech journalist, I'm keen to unpack what these specs mean for real-world use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown comparing these two devices:
| Feature | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-13 | 2023-04-26 | The Redmi Note 12S is almost a year newer, potentially offering slightly more modern features. |
| Dimensions | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | The Axon 40 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, making it less compact, but not significantly so. |
| Weight | 204g | 176g | The Redmi Note 12S is noticeably lighter, which might make it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.43" | The Axon 40 Ultra has a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1116x2480 | 1080x2400 | The Axon 40 Ultra offers slightly sharper visuals with more pixels. |
| PPI | 400 | 409 | Both have virtually identical pixel density, so image sharpness will look similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer the vibrant colors and deep blacks of AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Axon 40 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1000 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra is significantly brighter, improving outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | The Axon 40 Ultra has a flagship-level chipset, offering significantly faster performance, particularly for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,061,300 | 412,400 | The Axon 40 Ultra’s raw power is over double that of the Redmi Note 12S, meaning it handles demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Adreno 730 in the Axon 40 Ultra offers considerably better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide a full day of moderate use, though real-world battery life can vary greatly. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster, getting you back to full power in less time. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Reverse charging | The Redmi Note 12S can reverse charge other devices, a convenient feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787 | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52" Samsung S5KHM2 | The Redmi Note 12S has a higher resolution sensor, but the Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture, improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a wider aperture, which could improve selfie quality in lower lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | N/A | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Redmi Note 12S has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more expansive shots. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | 0.3MP | N/A | The Axon 40 Ultra features a Time-of-Flight sensor for better depth sensing. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Redmi Note 12S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787 | N/A | The Axon 40 Ultra has dedicated wide-angle + macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | The Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly higher video recording quality, including 8K and 4K at 120fps with stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, OIS, PDAF, LAF, Under display cam, RAW, etc. | Digital zoom, digital image stabilization, etc. | The Axon 40 Ultra offers optical zoom, OIS, phase detection, laser autofocus, and RAW photo capture, offering far greater flexibility and more professional results |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | The Redmi Note 12S ships with a slightly newer version of Android, though the Axon 40 Ultra can upgrade. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The Axon 40 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6, offering potentially faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, A2DP | 5.2 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Both offer similar Bluetooth, but the Redmi Note 12S includes EDR and HID profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), A-GPS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Axon 40 Ultra has more precise GPS using L1+L5 frequencies, which improves location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 1TB (1024 GB) | Up to 256 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | Up to 18GB | Up to 8GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers much more RAM, making it more adept at multitasking and resource-heavy tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Axon 40 Ultra offers DTS/DTS X, 3 microphones. Redmi Note 12S has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Redmi Note 12S has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Redmi Note 12S has known, better screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Axon 40 Ultra has Gravity, Hall while the Redmi has a compass and ultrasonic proximity virtual. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
Strengths: The Axon 40 Ultra is a powerhouse with a flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a much larger and brighter display with a smoother refresh rate, significantly faster charging, and superior camera capabilities, including 8K video and multiple focal lengths. Its huge storage and RAM options are also a bonus for power users.
Competitive Advantages: This phone excels in performance, display quality, and camera versatility, making it ideal for power users, gamers, and content creators. The under-display camera offers a truly immersive, uninterrupted display.
Trade-offs/Limitations: It is heavier, a bit bulkier, and is missing a Wide Angle camera lens, something the 12S has. It also uses a basic fingerprint sensor.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S:
Strengths: The Redmi Note 12S is a more budget-friendly option with a lighter and more compact design, a decent AMOLED display, a good main camera sensor, and convenient features like reverse charging and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Competitive Advantages: It is a great all-around device for everyday use, offering a balanced set of features at a more affordable price point. The dedicated macro lens and wide angle lens give more versatility in shooting.
Trade-offs/Limitations: The Redmi Note 12S has a weaker processor, slower charging, and a less advanced camera system with limited video capabilities. It is also missing a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is best for:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and running intensive apps.
- Content Creators: Users who prioritize high-quality photo and video capture, with features like 8K recording and optical zoom.
- Media Enthusiasts: People who love watching videos and need a large, vibrant display with great outdoor visibility.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is best for:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks, communication, and casual media consumption.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a good balance of features without breaking the bank.
- Casual Photographers: Those who want a versatile camera setup for general photography, with a wide-angle and macro lens available.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself when deciding between these phones:
- How important is raw performance to you? If you frequently play demanding games or use resource-heavy apps, the Axon 40 Ultra is the clear winner. If your needs are more basic, the Redmi Note 12S will suffice.
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 12S is a more affordable option. The Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more performance and advanced features but will cost you a lot more.
- How much do you value camera features and video quality? If you are serious about photography or videography, the Axon 40 Ultra has a lot more versatility, advanced features, and higher-end quality, while the Redmi is more of an all-round device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance-Critical User: If you are primarily a gamer or use demanding apps (video editing, graphic design), the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the obvious choice because of its high end chipset and better GPU.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Buyer: If you want a reliable, everyday smartphone with a decent camera without paying a premium price, go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photographer/Videographer: If you occasionally need to take photos and videos and want an all-round phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is the more practical choice with it's wide angle and macro lenses. If you require better quality then go for the Axon 40 Ultra.
Which would I choose?
Personally, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Redmi Note 12S is a solid phone in its own right, the Axon 40 Ultra represents a significant leap in performance and camera technology. As someone who appreciates smooth operation, high-end photo and video capabilities, and the latest features, the Axon 40 Ultra checks all the boxes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, the 8k Video recording capability, and the larger, brighter screen would all be a huge plus for me. The fact that it's also capable of doing fast charging would be more convenient. The extra RAM and storage is just a bonus. While it may be more expensive and a little bulkier, the level of technology and features makes it worthwhile in my books.
