Redmi Note 9S vs ZTE Axon 40

The Redmi Note 9S (2020) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 40 leads — 58/100 vs 39/100 (a 19-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi Note 9S has the bigger battery (5020 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 40 is faster in AnTuTu (1,010,069 vs 514,398); the ZTE Axon 40 has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi Note 9S doesn't.

The ZTE Axon 40 is noticeably better than the Redmi Note 9S — the overall rating gap is 19 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Redmi Note 9S
Performance 41
Display 42
Camera 34
Battery 43
Portability 44
Value for money 40
ZTE Axon 40
Performance 61
Display 73
Camera 51
Battery 52
Portability 53
Value for money
What makes Redmi Note 9S better?
  • Bigger battery: 5020 vs 5000 mAh

  • Overall rating 39/100
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1010069 vs 514398
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1298 vs 746
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 1762
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 48MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Lighter: 200g vs 210g

  • Higher performance (61/100 vs 41/100)
  • Better camera (51/100 vs 34/100)
  • Longer battery life (52/100 vs 43/100)
  • Better display (73/100 vs 42/100)
  • Better portability (53/100 vs 44/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Redmi Note 9S vs the ZTE Axon 40, the ZTE Axon 40 scores 19 points higher (58/100 vs 39/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (61/100 vs 41/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (51/100 vs 34/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (61/100 vs 41/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (73/100 vs 42/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (51/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (52/100 vs 43/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (53/100 vs 44/100).

Redmi Note 9S: The Redmi Note 9S is a better fit for everyday use.
ZTE Axon 40: The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Redmi Note 9S ZTE Axon 40
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
AnTuTu 514398 1010069
Geekbench Single 746 1298
Geekbench Multi 1762 3520
Display 6.7" IPS LCD 6.7"
Resolution 2400x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5020 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 18W
Main camera 48 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 8 MP
Front camera 16 MP 44 MP
RAM 4GB / 6GB
Storage 64GB / 128GB 128GB
OS Android 10 Android 12 Snow Cone
Brightness (peak) 450 nits
NFC no yes
Dimensions 165.8×76.7×8.8 mm 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm
Weight 210 g 200 g
Launch price $200
Camera comparison
Redmi Note 9S
  • Main: 48MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
34
camera
ZTE Axon 40
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
51
camera
Display comparison
Redmi Note 9S
  • 6.7" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 2400x1080
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
42
display
ZTE Axon 40
  • 6.7"
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
73
display
Battery and charging
Redmi Note 9S
  • 5020 mAh
  • Wired: 18W
  • No wireless charging
43
battery
ZTE Axon 40
  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Redmi Note 9S and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Redmi Note 9S Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
39/100
514398 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
58/100 +49.1%
1010069 AnTuTu

ZTE Axon 40 leads Redmi Note 9S by 49.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Redmi Note 9S
$200
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (61/100 vs 41/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (73/100 vs 42/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Redmi Note 9S (51/100 vs 34/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (52/100 vs 43/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (53/100 vs 44/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Redmi Note 9S or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 is noticeably better than the Redmi Note 9S — the overall rating gap is 19 points.

What is the rating of the Redmi Note 9S and the ZTE Axon 40?

The Redmi Note 9S has a MobileRank rating of 39/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Redmi Note 9S or the ZTE Axon 40?

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

Which is more powerful: the Redmi Note 9S or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 leads on performance (61/100 vs 41/100).

Should you choose the Redmi Note 9S over the ZTE Axon 40?

The Redmi Note 9S is a better fit for everyday use. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.