ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs ZTE Axon 40
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads — 71/100 vs 58/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 has the bigger battery (5800 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is faster in AnTuTu (3,136,217 vs 1,010,069); the ZTE Axon 40 is noticeably lighter (200g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS ROG Phone 9
ZTE Axon 40
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3136217 vs 1010069
- Better Geekbench Single: 3100 vs 1298
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9900 vs 3520
- Bigger battery: 5800 vs 5000 mAh
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 120Hz
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 61/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 73/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 200g vs 227g
- Better camera (51/100 vs 42/100)
- Better portability (53/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs the ZTE Axon 40, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 scores 13 points higher (71/100 vs 58/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads (92/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads (67/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (92/100 vs 61/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (89/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (51/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (67/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (53/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | ZTE Axon 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 | |
| AnTuTu | 3136217 | 1010069 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 1298 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9900 | 3520 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | 6.7" | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 185 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5800 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | — | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 8 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 44 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB / 24GB | — | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB | |
| OS | Android 15 / ROG UI | Android 12 Snow Cone | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2500 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.8×76.8×8.9 mm | 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 200 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | — |
Camera comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 40
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 44MP
Display comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
ZTE Axon 40
- 6.7"
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 5800 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
ZTE Axon 40
- 5000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 9 and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads ZTE Axon 40 by 210.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (92/100 vs 61/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (89/100 vs 73/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (51/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (67/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (53/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 40?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is noticeably better than the ZTE Axon 40 — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the ZTE Axon 40?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 40?
The ZTE Axon 40 leads on camera score (51/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the ZTE Axon 40?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads on performance (92/100 vs 61/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 over the ZTE Axon 40?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.