ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads — 71/100 vs 65/100 (a 6-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 has the bigger battery (5800 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is faster in AnTuTu (3,136,217 vs 1,135,878); the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is noticeably lighter (188g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS ROG Phone 9
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3136217 vs 1135878
- Better Geekbench Single: 3100 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9900 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 5800 vs 4600 mAh
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 144Hz
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 64/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 41/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G better?
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 188g vs 227g
- Better camera (71/100 vs 42/100)
- Better portability (67/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 scores 6 points higher (71/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads (92/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads (71/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads (67/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (92/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100. In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (71/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (67/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (67/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 3136217 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9900 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | 6.7" Super Amoled | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 185 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5800 mAh | 4600 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | — | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 8 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 44 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB / 24GB | — | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB | |
| OS | Android 15 / ROG UI | Android 11 Red Velvet Cake | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2500 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.8×76.8×8.9 mm | 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 188 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | — |
Camera comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 44MP
Display comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 6.7" Super Amoled
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 5800 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 4600 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 9 and ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 176.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (92/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (71/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (67/100 vs 41/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (67/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 edges out the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads on camera score (71/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads on performance (92/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 over the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.