ZTE Axon 40 Ultra review

11 June 2022


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  • j
  • jabi
  • GXs
  • 28 Dec 2023

Good hardware, terrible updates and worse support.

    Whilst I like the 16MP results a lot, we are STILL (after all these years!!!) NOT being shown full sensor resolution results edited from RAW files, & looking at the full resolution jpegs from this quad-Bayer sensor here, I note they are really dreadful, with no effection resolution/acuity at all. And they cannot be rescued by sharpening them in post either, but I very much hope that there IS the option to record in RAW in the settings, like I can on my old G4 and my Lumia 950, which gives exquisitely detailed results from RAW dngs made in camera. Its great to have the same sensor for the Ultrawide though, but I would so much prefer a sensor WITH 64MP of resolution instead of 16, because for me to purchase a phone like this without a genuine 50, 64, or whatever MP resolution, is to go back in time in terms of image quality to the 12MP Nokia N8 of 2010, which in good light STILL equals what a£1500 iPhone 14 Pro can do with stills, ridiculous how the high IQ market seems to have collapsed along with our Covid-fogged IQs!!

      • M
      • MUTHUKUMARAN
      • RxE
      • 15 Mar 2023

      I use AXON 40 ULTRA SMARTPHONE very nice 👍... Pure full display screen phone .. I really like this phone .. thanks for ZTE

        • s
        • shu
        • IbK
        • 18 Nov 2022

        why does the audio suck on gsm review for video tests but not on techtablets or bens gadget review?

          I just recommended to activate developer mode and kill all background processes which works for me but for me this will affect notifications from social media apps. To avoid this, do not follow that recommendation and instead allow the apps to run in the background from the Battery Settings

            Hi everyone,

            I would like to share my experience with the Axon 40 ultra after using it for two weeks note that I am using the Chinese ROM because I reside in China.

            For the first week I was really disappointed because of the unusual arrangement of the user interface and settings, the quick heat, aggressive appas management and selfie camera that I didn't know how to use it properly.

            The catch is that I found solutions to all these problems and here I am gonna share with you as follows :

            Take your time to familiarize yourself with the user skin because everything you need is there but sometimes the translation sucks and some settings are placed under different tabs other than what we are used to.

            For the heat that affects your experience, performance and battery life, just activate the Developer Mode then go to Background Process Limit and set it to No Limit and the phone will never get hot and will run much faster and smoother with better battery performance.

            Selfies are awesome but you need to control light source because it's designed to catch as much light as possible so by taking selfies while the light is behind the phone, you will get amazing selfies.

            Regarding the rear camera setup, it's the best with the fastest auto-focus and consistent results across all cameras. More importantly, the most realistic photos ever with the minimum enhancements, processing or interference from the system (contrary to the selfies which is a must there). Also camera modes named Camera Family have great features and you should try them to understand what I mean.

            If you get it with Chinese ROM like mine, the only way to get all the Apps you want without rooting is by using APK Pure App which runs perfectly or you can use any similar services of your preference.

            The only drawback is the speakers that are loud but noisy at max level. This is a real shame ZTE for a premium device.

            Another minor issue is the zoom is not up to bar with other compitiors; it should be at least 5x optical zoom.

            In short guys, it's a great device in every aspect except for the speakers note that I am using 12 + 256 and really regretted not getting 1T + 16 RAM.

            Hope you find it helpful if you like this device.

              stanley77, 14 Jun 2022no it isnt! check kimovil website there is clear evidence t... moreI think it has now been established that it is a 1/1.73" type sensor. Before launch it was rumoured to be a larger sensor but after the launch in China many sources stated it's 1/1.73". I've copied a translation from a Chinese source below which provides more details on the sensor.

              'The IMX787 used this time has a 1/1.73-inch 6400W camera and a 35mm focal length. The bottom of the CMOS is not very large. Although the specifications are similar to the IMX686, it is not the "vest version" of the IMX686. The new IMX787 Support full-pixel focus, can output 4K 120fps video natively, IMX787 native high-sensitivity ISO has 12800 (Nubia secondary gain can reach 25600), IMX686's native high-sensitivity ISO is only 6400, 787 microlens is the same as 766/789 The model is 2*2 OCL, while the 686 is 2*1 OCL. From this point of view, the Axon 40Ultra is indeed "Ultra" enough, whether it is the photosensitive image quality or the focusing speed compared with the previous generation. type sensor.'

                • R
                • Rich
                • LdE
                • 17 Jul 2022

                I have new Nubia Z40 Pro , it's a same phone?

                  Anonymous, 10 Jul 2022I've been using the Axon 40 Ultra for a few days now. ... moreI don't experience any of these problems. Apart from the weakness of the selfie camera, it's a very good phone!

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • Imm
                    • 10 Jul 2022

                    I've been using the Axon 40 Ultra for a few days now. Great looking phone. Really cool. Unfortunately, the navigation swipes are terrible. Misses a ton of swipes. I find myself right swiping to go back multiple times. And up swiping to close rarely works. And the phone does not work on MetroPCS or T-Mobile networks. So while a great looking phone, ZTE pretty much slapped this one together just to get it out the door. Shame. And given the lack of updates ZTE tends to provide... I would assume the issues will never be fixed.

                      FatShady, 12 Jun 2022here we go again with that bullshit "once you try 120h... moreI mean, I am only echoing what the majority thinks, myself included.

                      What you described sounds like a "you" problem, as already indicated by everyone who responded to your comment.

                        Anonymous, 11 Jun 2022All phones that can go beyond 60Hz come from factory set 60... moreNo, I am pretty sure most manufactures have it set to variable refresh rate by default, which fluctuates between 60hz and 120hz, but mainly staying on 120hz unless playing a video or a game that's capped to 60hz.

                          Anonymous, 12 Jun 2022When I got my last phone which had a 90hz screen, the diffe... moreMy current main phone is 90hz, and I use many 60hz phones alongside it.

                          I find that over time you get used to the 90hz and it doesn't have that "wow" factor like when you first used it. However, after trying out a 120hz phone in-store, I immediately noticed a difference in smoothness compared to my 90hz phone.

                          So in my case, 120hz is definitely noticeable. I think beyond that, the difference becomes less noticeable.

                            I would just get a Samsung S22 Ultra and get along with life. No need for unnecessary headaches.

                              • Z
                              • Zeus
                              • rJ7
                              • 22 Jun 2022

                              Canna, 21 Jun 2022I really don't understand this opinion. I have never ... moreLol. Okay

                                • C
                                • Canna
                                • pV}
                                • 21 Jun 2022

                                Whatwhatinthemargine, 12 Jun 2022Your comment sounds just as wrong and doing the exact same ... moreI really don't understand this opinion.
                                I have never carried out any tests of the ZTE or even read about others, apart from this one from gsmarena, but having tried the vivo x80 pro, I think it is the best interpretation of hardware and software integration on Android in terms of cameras.
                                And the strong point is the software.
                                It does better than s22 ultra, better than xiaomi ultra and oneplus and x5 pro ..
                                As a photography there is nothing better; finally someone has taken up the legacy of Huawei.
                                You have full manual controls, perfect editing integration and top out of the box images, without going crazy with postprocessing to get the best out of your photos.
                                Again, this is not the opinion of a smartphone user but of a photographer.
                                Only as a video it is not on par with others, but it is still a top of the range.
                                There is no integration of features with third-party apps, but the fault lies with google and how it manages the APIs, not with the manufacturers of android phones.

                                  Is it available in India?

                                    Is it available in India?

                                      Looking at camera performance some more, it got actually the best looking stills, be it super wide, normal or tele. There are some phones with hi res modes that reveal a lot detail, but not so much as this one in super wide in normal mode.
                                      It's colors are close to Xperia but processing is natural and 64mp does leave some detail to explore.
                                      It's serious Axon40u vs 1IV battle.

                                        I love ZTE phones but after being burned on the 10 pro I don't see myself buying another, much less the Nubia or Red Magic brands. If I knew that I would get more than 1 major update that may change down the line but for now I will wait and see

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