Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs ZTE Axon 40

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 58/100 (a 26-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,010,069).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 by 26 points (84/100 vs 58/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Performance 96
Display 88
Camera 86
Battery 61
Portability 51
Value for money 78

ZTE Axon 40

Performance 61
Display 73
Camera 51
Battery 52
Portability 53
Value for money —

What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1010069
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1298
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 3520
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP

  • Higher performance (96/100 vs 61/100)
  • Better camera (86/100 vs 51/100)
  • Longer battery life (61/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better display (88/100 vs 73/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?

  • Lighter: 200g vs 214g

  • Better portability (53/100 vs 51/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the ZTE Axon 40, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 26 points higher (84/100 vs 58/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (96/100 vs 61/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (88/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (86/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (53/100 vs 51/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.
ZTE Axon 40: The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ZTE Axon 40
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
AnTuTu 3463142 1010069
Geekbench Single 3601 1298
Geekbench Multi 10686 3520
Display 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.7"
Resolution 3120x1440 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 60W —
Wireless charging 25W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 157 —
Main camera 200 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 12 MP 44 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB —
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 128GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 12 Snow Cone
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm
Weight 214 g 200 g
Launch price $1299 —

Camera comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • Main: 200MP f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 12MP
86
camera

ZTE Axon 40

  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
51
camera

Display comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
88
display

ZTE Axon 40

  • 6.7"
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
73
display

Battery and charging

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • 5000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
  • Wired: 60W
  • Wireless: 25W
61
battery

ZTE Axon 40

  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
84/100
3463142 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
58/100 -242.9%
1010069 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads ZTE Axon 40 by 242.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1299

ZTE Axon 40

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (96/100 vs 61/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (88/100 vs 73/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (86/100 vs 51/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (53/100 vs 51/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 by 26 points (84/100 vs 58/100).

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the ZTE Axon 40?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 51/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 61/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the ZTE Axon 40?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.