Vivo iQOO Neo 12 vs ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
The Vivo iQOO Neo 12 (2026) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 leads — 76/100 vs 71/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 has the bigger battery (9000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 is faster in AnTuTu (4,647,154 vs 1,294,871); the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is noticeably lighter (204g vs 225g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Vivo iQOO Neo 12
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
What makes Vivo iQOO Neo 12 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 4647154 vs 1294871
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1662
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 4188
- Bigger battery: 9000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 80W
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 120Hz
- Higher performance (99/100 vs 68/100)
- Longer battery life (80/100 vs 56/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 80/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition better?
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 204g vs 225g
- Better camera (86/100 vs 35/100)
- Better portability (52/100 vs 38/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 vs the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 scores 5 points higher (76/100 vs 71/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 leads (99/100 vs 68/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition leads (86/100 vs 35/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 leads (80/100 vs 56/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (99/100 vs 68/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (99/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 (86/100 vs 35/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (80/100 vs 56/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is a bit better (52/100 vs 38/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Vivo iQOO Neo 12 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | |
| AnTuTu | 4647154 | 1294871 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3639 | 1662 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11047 | 4188 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1116x2480 | |
| Refresh rate | 185 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 9000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | 80W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 64 MP | |
| Front camera | 16 MP | 16 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 18GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 17 | Android 12, MyOS 12 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2200 nits | 1500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP69 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×75.9×8.5 mm | 163.3×73.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 225 g | 204 g | |
| Launch price | — | — |
Camera comparison
Vivo iQOO Neo 12
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 16MP
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- Main: 64MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 16MP
Display comparison
Vivo iQOO Neo 12
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3200
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1116x2480
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Vivo iQOO Neo 12
- 9000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 80W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Vivo iQOO Neo 12 and ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO Neo 12 leads ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition by 258.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (99/100 vs 68/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (99/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 (86/100 vs 35/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition (80/100 vs 56/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is a bit better (52/100 vs 38/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition?
The Vivo iQOO Neo 12 edges out the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition?
The Vivo iQOO Neo 12 has a MobileRank rating of 76/100, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition — 71/100.
Which has the better camera: the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition leads on camera score (86/100 vs 35/100).
Which is more powerful: the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition?
The Vivo iQOO Neo 12 leads on performance (99/100 vs 68/100).
Should you choose the Vivo iQOO Neo 12 over the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition?
The Vivo iQOO Neo 12 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.