Vivo iQOO 16 vs ZTE Axon 40 SE

The Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, while the ZTE Axon 40 SE (2022) runs on the Unisoc UMS512T T618. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 46/100 (a 43-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 4500); the ZTE Axon 40 SE is noticeably lighter (182g vs 223g).

The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE by 43 points (89/100 vs 46/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Vivo iQOO 16

Performance 100
Display 99
Camera 78
Battery 90
Portability 42
Value for money 92

ZTE Axon 40 SE

Performance —
Display 81
Camera 30
Battery 33
Portability 74
Value for money —

What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?

  • Bigger battery: 8400 vs 4500 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 5W

  • Better camera (78/100 vs 30/100)
  • Longer battery life (90/100 vs 33/100)
  • Better display (99/100 vs 81/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 40 SE better?

  • Lighter: 182g vs 223g

  • Better portability (74/100 vs 42/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Vivo iQOO 16 vs the ZTE Axon 40 SE, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 43 points higher (89/100 vs 46/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (78/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 33/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (99/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (78/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (90/100 vs 33/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 SE significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (74/100 vs 42/100).

Vivo iQOO 16: The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.

Specs comparison

Specification Vivo iQOO 16 ZTE Axon 40 SE
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Unisoc UMS512T T618
AnTuTu 5498720 —
Geekbench Single 4327 —
Geekbench Multi 12873 —
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 1440x3168 1080x2400
Refresh rate 165 Hz —
Battery 8400 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 100W 5W
Wireless charging 40W 0W
Main camera 50 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 0 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 32 MP 8 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 4GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 128GB
OS Android 17 Android 12, MyOS 12
Brightness (peak) 6000 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68/IP69 —
Dimensions 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm 163.5×75.8×7.6 mm
Weight 223 g 182 g
Launch price $840 —

Camera comparison

Vivo iQOO 16

  • Main: 50MP f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
78
camera

ZTE Axon 40 SE

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Front: 8MP
30
camera

Display comparison

Vivo iQOO 16

  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1440x3168
  • Refresh rate: 165 Hz
99
display

ZTE Axon 40 SE

  • 6.7" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: —
81
display

Battery and charging

Vivo iQOO 16

  • 8400 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 40W
90
battery

ZTE Axon 40 SE

  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 5W
  • No wireless charging
33
battery

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Vivo iQOO 16

$840

ZTE Axon 40 SE

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

display

In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (99/100 vs 81/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (78/100 vs 30/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (90/100 vs 33/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 SE significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (74/100 vs 42/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Vivo iQOO 16 or the ZTE Axon 40 SE?

The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE by 43 points (89/100 vs 46/100).

What is the rating of the Vivo iQOO 16 and the ZTE Axon 40 SE?

The Vivo iQOO 16 has a MobileRank rating of 89/100, the ZTE Axon 40 SE — 46/100.

Which has the better camera: the Vivo iQOO 16 or the ZTE Axon 40 SE?

The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 30/100).

Should you choose the Vivo iQOO 16 over the ZTE Axon 40 SE?

The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.