Nubia Air vs ZTE Axon 40

The Nubia Air (2025) runs on the Unisoc T8300, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 40 leads — 58/100 vs 51/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 40 is faster in AnTuTu (1,010,069 vs 639,225); the Nubia Air is noticeably lighter (172g vs 200g).

The ZTE Axon 40 edges out the Nubia Air by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nubia Air
Performance 47
Display 83
Camera 34
Battery 46
Portability 90
Value for money 66
ZTE Axon 40
Performance 61
Display 73
Camera 51
Battery 52
Portability 53
Value for money
What makes Nubia Air better?
  • Lighter: 172g vs 200g

  • Better display (83/100 vs 73/100)
  • Better portability (90/100 vs 53/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1010069 vs 639225
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1298 vs 880
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 2073
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP

  • Higher performance (61/100 vs 47/100)
  • Better camera (51/100 vs 34/100)
  • Longer battery life (52/100 vs 46/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nubia Air vs the ZTE Axon 40, the ZTE Axon 40 scores 7 points higher (58/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (51/100 vs 34/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "display" category, the Nubia Air is a bit better (83/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Nubia Air (51/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (52/100 vs 46/100). In the "portability" category, the Nubia Air significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 53/100).

Nubia Air: The Nubia Air is a better fit for everyday use.
ZTE Axon 40: The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nubia Air ZTE Axon 40
Processor Unisoc T8300 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
AnTuTu 639225 1010069
Geekbench Single 880 1298
Geekbench Multi 2073 3520
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7"
Resolution 1224x2720 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 33W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 8 MP
Front camera 20 MP 44 MP
RAM 8GB
Storage 256GB 128GB
OS Android 15 Android 12 Snow Cone
Brightness (peak) 4500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68/IP69K
Dimensions 164.2×76.6×6.7 mm 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm
Weight 172 g 200 g
Launch price $199
Camera comparison
Nubia Air
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 20MP
34
camera
ZTE Axon 40
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
51
camera
Display comparison
Nubia Air
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1224x2720
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
83
display
ZTE Axon 40
  • 6.7"
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
73
display
Battery and charging
Nubia Air
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 33W
  • No wireless charging
46
battery
ZTE Axon 40
  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nubia Air and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nubia Air Unisoc T8300
51/100
639225 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
58/100 +36.7%
1010069 AnTuTu

ZTE Axon 40 leads Nubia Air by 36.7% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Nubia Air
$199
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Nubia Air is a bit better (83/100 vs 73/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Nubia Air (51/100 vs 34/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (52/100 vs 46/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Nubia Air significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 53/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nubia Air or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 edges out the Nubia Air by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nubia Air and the ZTE Axon 40?

The Nubia Air has a MobileRank rating of 51/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nubia Air or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 leads on camera score (51/100 vs 34/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nubia Air or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 leads on performance (61/100 vs 47/100).

Should you choose the Nubia Air over the ZTE Axon 40?

The Nubia Air is a better fit for everyday use. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.