The ZTE Axon 30 Ultra Review - Something Surprisingly Different
by Andrei Frumusanu on July 30, 2021 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mobile
- Smartphones
- ZTE
- Axon 30 Ultra
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, the Axon 30 Ultra features a 4600mAh battery. Combined with the lower resolution 1080p screen, in theory we should be seeing quite good results out of the phone, but there’s also the fact that it has a more power hungry Snapdragon 888 powering it, so results could end up anywhere.
In the 60Hz web browsing results, the Axon 30 Ultra ends up in a very disappointing spot at 11.76 hours. I say it’s disappointing because of the juxtaposition to the Mi 11 which has the exact same battery capacity, the same SoC, but features a 1440p 120Hz display. At 60Hz, in theory the Axon 30 Ultra should have been able to outlast the Mi 11, but yet it only does so by a few minutes which is far below expectations.
One of the biggest mysteries in this year’s flagship devices continues to be abnormally high baseline power consumption characteristics of almost all non-Samsung non-Apple phones, and the Axon 30 Ultra also suffers from such, dragging down its overall device efficiency.
I had looking into the base power consumption of the 144Hz mode, and the mode had a large delta compared to the 120Hz mode. ZTE even goes so far to say in the display settings that the 144Hz mode drains battery significantly faster. Given the negatives and very little positives to use the mode over the 120Hz mode, I see no reason for people to ever chose it.
At 120Hz, the Axon 30 Ultra naturally incurs an efficiency hit, and again here the most interesting comparison is against the Mi 11 – which this time actually lasts longer than the Axon, which is sad given that the phone is driving a higher resolution display.
In PCMark, the Axon 30 Ultra does averagely good. Oddly enough here it manages to beat the Mi 11 more consistently as it becomes less display power bound in the test.
Generally speaking, the Axon 30 Ultra should have average to good battery life. The phone does not have the latest generation components such as a power efficient display to compete against more expensive competitor devices, but it’s also not outright bad and generally in line with what we’ve seen with gen-1 or gen-2 phones.
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s.yu - Saturday, July 31, 2021 - link
The processing isn't very consistent across modules, and, perhaps surprisingly, the main looks worse than the UWA zoomed in. At default mag. though the main looks competitive.ottonis - Sunday, August 1, 2021 - link
Once again I have to express my admiration for Andre's terrific Smartphone reviews. They may not cover each and every aspect of the phone but when they address certain aspects they do it with unprecedented depth, precision and technical expertise that easily surpasses the vast majority of smartphone reviews on the internet.Thanks for the terrific work, reading your reviews is pure joy!!
Skiprudder - Thursday, August 5, 2021 - link
I'm not sure you should be recommending any ZTE devices for US consumers right now. The US government has banned all government employees and contractors from using ZTE phones because of concerns about Chinese government involvement and investment in the company and the potential for spyware (software and hardware.) The US government has also moved to ban any ZTE equipment from installation in cellular and other networks for the same reason.This means that over 9 million US consumers are directly barred from using this phone by their employer. If Anandtech wanted to explore some of these security concerns in more detail, that would be very cool, but I think you have to warn folks when reviewing a device like this.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-fcc-votes-la...
https://insidedefense.com/insider/dod-releases-int...
DuranArturoLucio - Thursday, August 26, 2021 - link
Today, we’re taking a closer look at a somewhat particular device, the new ZTE A: and surprisingly enough I mean that in every sense of the word. Normally when you hear “ZTE” or “Ultra Review” your eyes cross and all hope is lost; but this time there is something curiously unique about the phone that has me hooked before I even picked it up to take for a spin. The title gives it away: it has an ultra-bright screen. We can always discuss them on https://spyphoneapp.net/ my website. It's really easy. This interesting detail could be part of what draws so many people in but by far my favorite feature is its special keyboard with built-in Android Functions keys (peevee - Saturday, September 11, 2021 - link
Top-of-the-line chipset.Rubber body (so no extra case would be required).
Removable/replaceable high-capacity battery.
3.5mm jack.
Energy-efficient screen.
Security updates for 4 years+.
Is it really that much to ask?