ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
Verdict
A big-screen smartphone with innovative features and solid power but mixed camera results.
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Axon isn't flawless, that much is certain. It's missing some features a flagship must have, like an IP rating. Its display is also not up to proper top-tier standards. And for all its high performance, perhaps it's a little too lax with letting its chipset run unthrottled into unpleasant temperatures. But it's the camera that is why the Axon 40 Ultra exists, and it's special enough blind you to the phone's shortcomings. The competitive price doesn't hurt either.”
“The Axon 40 ultra is ZTE's current flagship phone and represents a compelling overall package at its official price of 829 euros (US$799). Its strong points include the AMOLED panel that is capable of 120 Hz refresh rate and 360 Hz touch sampling rate. This makes the smartphone extremely responsive. Adding to that are features such as the high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, up to 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The ZTE phone also impresses with its very good battery life and the 65-watt adapter that can fully charge the device in about 45 minutes.”
“It's sleek, it's upscale, it's fast. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra packs some powerful hardware, kept in check by a dedicated cooling system. You'll enjoy that edge-to-edge 120Hz AMOLED panel with an invisible front camera under the screen. Weirdly, it also skips some of the most popular features that define a flagship: waterproofing, wireless charging, and consistently great cameras.”
“The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra doesn’t fix all of its predecessor’s problems, but it resolves enough of them to make for a strong flagship — provided you don’t need to have a good selfie game.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Design
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra impresses with its tidy design; the under-display selfie camera creates a smooth, uninterrupted look. Reviewers appreciated this modern touch, though it compromises selfie quality.
The design feels robust thanks to a matte back that effectively resists fingerprints. Android Central highlighted the curved screen’s futuristic look but noted that accidental touches might be an issue.
Reviewers at Laptop Mag praised the clean finish and minimal branding, but the large camera bump can cause the phone to wobble on flat surfaces. There is no IP rating, so you’ll need to be careful around water.
Display(s)
The 6.8-inch screen catches the eye with its vivid AMOLED display, supporting over a billion colors. This makes movies and games come alive with rich, true-to-life visuals.
The display’s 120Hz refresh rate keeps interactions smooth and fluid. Scrolling through apps and playing games feels more responsive, elevating your daily use.
Even under direct sunlight, the screen’s brightness ensures you can still view content clearly. This level of brightness means you won’t have to squint or cover the display to see it outdoors.
Experts mention the display as a
Performance
Equipped with the formidable Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, you will experience fast and smooth operations, whether you’re browsing, gaming, or handling multiple apps at once. Experts have praised the phone for its impressive responsiveness, not only meeting high performance expectations but surpassing them in many cases.
While gaming, you’ll enjoy the Adreno 730 GPU, responsible for delivering high-quality graphics effortlessly. Despite the demanding nature of some applications, the phone manages heat efficiently, avoiding overheating during extended use. This makes for comfortable handling, even with heavy usage.
The fast UFS 3.1 storage ensures quick data access, meaning apps launch swiftly and file transfers are a breeze. Overall, this flagship device stands among top performers, providing high speed and reliability to everyday tasks and entertainment alike.
Software & Storage
Running on MyOS 12, based on Android 12, the Axon 40 Ultra keeps the software experience close to a stock Android feel. This means you’ll enjoy a straightforward and efficient environment.
The smartphone arrives with the initial promise of light bloatware. You can delete most pre-installed third-party apps if desired, giving you control over your device’s storage.
ZTE hasn’t committed to a long-term update plan, which raises concern for future software security and features. Reviewers appreciate this phone for its uncomplicated approach, offering ‘zero bloatware’ yet warn about lacking a clear update policy.
Cameras
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra enhances your photography with three 64MP rear cameras, including a main, ultrawide, and telephoto lens. This array covers a range of scenes, capturing sharp, vibrant photos even in daylight. The telephoto lens provides a useful 3.5x optical zoom, letting you capture details without losing quality.
Expert reviewers highlight that although low-light performance could improve, the main camera generally produces pleasing results. You can record videos up to 8K, offering high resolution and clear visuals.
On the downside, the under-display selfie camera, while innovative, struggles with clarity and detail compared to traditional options, needing ideal lighting to achieve decent results. Consider this if selfies are a priority in your mobile photography.
Battery
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a robust 5,000mAh battery, ensuring you’ll experience impressive longevity. Reviewers note that, even with heavy use, the phone lasts at least a full day—ideal for users who use their phones extensively for gaming, streaming, or work tasks without the need to constantly reach for a charger.
The benefits extend beyond simple battery life. You’ll appreciate the included 65W fast charger, which can charge the phone to full capacity in about 41 minutes, according to experts. This swift charging provides peace of mind and convenience for busy users who need to recharge on the go, making it a standout feature. Unfortunately, the phone lacks wireless charging, which could be a downside for those accustomed to wireless options.
Audio
The Axon 40 Ultra uses dual speakers that deliver a commendable audio experience for calling and entertainment. While “audio quality is decent from the dual stereo speakers,” according to reviewers at AndroidHeadlines, there is still room for improvement in bass output.
The earpiece and speaker arrangement ensures clear calls, making voices easy to hear, even in noisy environments. When it comes to streaming media or gaming, the lack of powerful bass may affect the depth of sound in music and movies. Still, the phone’s speakers are more than capable of filling a room with sound.
The Bottom Line
This device offers a large, beautiful display that hides the under-display selfie camera seamlessly, ensuring you enjoy uninterrupted viewing. However, if selfies are important to you, the image quality may not meet your expectations, as reviewers noted it can appear soft and muddled compared to traditional cameras.
On the plus side, you’ll experience strong performance and good battery life, thanks to the top-tier chip and efficient software.
Overall, as Android Central pointed out, “it’s sleek, it’s upscale, it’s fast,” especially for gaming and media use.
What people actually want to know
When was the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra released?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra was released on June 21, 2022.
How long does the battery last on the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery.
Does the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra support wireless charging?
No, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra does not support wireless charging.
Does the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
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