Zte Axon 40 SE Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The ZTE Axon 40 SE is a budget-friendly smartphone that was released on October 25, 2022. This device comes with some impressive features that make it stand out from other smartphones in its price range.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Axon 40 SE is a sleek and modern smartphone with a premium feel. The phone measures 163.5 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighs 182 g, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The device has a dual SIM tray, which is useful for people who need to use two different phone numbers on one device.

The phone features an AMOLED display that offers vibrant and accurate colors, making it perfect for watching videos and browsing the web. The screen size is 6.67 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, which provides a sharp and clear viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is 86.7%, which means that the front of the phone is mostly covered by the display.

The ZTE Axon 40 SE is built with high-quality materials, making it durable and sturdy. The phone is made of glass on the front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The phone is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or bag.

The phone's design is ergonomic and comfortable to hold for long periods. The power button and volume rocker are located on the right side of the phone, making them easily accessible. The fingerprint scanner is located on the side of the phone, which is a convenient location and provides easy access to the phone's security features.

Overall, the ZTE Axon 40 SE is a well-designed and well-built smartphone that offers a premium look and feel. The phone is comfortable to hold, durable, and has a sleek and modern design that is sure to turn heads.

Display

The ZTE Axon 40 SE boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The screen-to-body ratio is an impressive 86.7%, which means that the phone has a nearly bezel-less display, making for an immersive viewing experience.

The display technology used in this phone is AMOLED, which is known for its excellent color accuracy and vibrancy. The colors on the Axon 40 SE are vivid and punchy, making for a visually pleasing experience. Additionally, the display has good viewing angles and excellent touch sensitivity and responsiveness.

Brightness and outdoor visibility are two crucial factors to consider when evaluating a smartphone display, and the Axon 40 SE does not disappoint in this regard. The screen is bright enough to remain visible even in direct sunlight, which is a significant advantage for users who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Overall, the display on the ZTE Axon 40 SE is one of its strongest features. The AMOLED technology, combined with the high resolution and excellent screen-to-body ratio, make for a stunning display that is perfect for streaming videos, browsing the internet, or playing games.

Performance

The ZTE Axon 40 SE is powered by an octa-core Unisoc UMS512T T618 chipset clocked at 2.0 GHz, which ensures smooth and efficient performance. Coupled with 4GB of RAM, the device can handle basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging without any lag or stutter. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps or multitasking.

The device comes with 128GB of internal storage, which is more than sufficient for most users. Additionally, the phone supports expandable storage via a dedicated microSDXC slot, which is a great feature for users who need more storage.

In terms of gaming, the Axon 40 SE can handle light to moderate gaming, but may struggle with more graphics-intensive games. The Mali-G52 MP2 GPU provides decent graphics performance, but it is not the best in its class.

In benchmark tests, the Axon 40 SE scored an average of 160,000 in AnTuTu, which is below average for a mid-range device. However, in real-world usage, the device performs well and can handle most tasks with ease.

Overall, the ZTE Axon 40 SE is a capable performer for day-to-day use, but may not be the best option for heavy users or gamers. Its mid-range specs provide decent performance, but it may struggle with more demanding tasks.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Axon 40 SE runs on Android 12, with the MyOS 12 user interface on top. The software is intuitive and user-friendly, with a range of customization options available to make it your own. The phone comes with a range of pre-installed apps, including Google apps and some ZTE apps, but these can be uninstalled if you prefer.

The user interface is smooth and responsive, with no lag or stuttering when switching between apps or scrolling through menus. The interface is easy to navigate, with a simple app drawer and home screen layout.

One of the standout features of the software is the security options. The ZTE Axon 40 SE comes with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is fast and accurate. There is also support for face unlock, which works well in good lighting conditions.

ZTE has promised to provide software updates for the Axon 40 SE, which is always reassuring for users. Overall, the software and user interface on the ZTE Axon 40 SE are well-designed and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use on a daily basis.

Camera

The ZTE Axon 40 SE boasts a triple-lens rear camera setup, with a 50 MP primary sensor, a 5 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. The camera app offers a range of shooting modes and features, including HDR, panorama, and night mode.

In daylight conditions, the camera captures detailed and sharp images with accurate color reproduction. The macro lens is also impressive, allowing for close-up shots with good levels of detail. However, in low light conditions, the camera struggles to capture enough light, resulting in noisy and grainy images.

The video recording capabilities of the Axon 40 SE are decent, with the ability to shoot up to 1080p at 30fps. The footage is stable, thanks to the electronic image stabilization (EIS) feature, but the lack of 4K recording is a letdown for those who prioritize video quality. The front-facing 8 MP camera captures decent selfies with natural skin tones.

Overall, the camera performance of the ZTE Axon 40 SE is good for its price point, but it falls short in low light conditions. Those who prioritize photography may want to consider other options in this price range, such as the Pixel 4a or the Samsung Galaxy A52.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

When it comes to connectivity and networking, the ZTE Axon 40 SE has a lot to offer. This phone is compatible with GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it a versatile choice for users who need to stay connected on the go. It also has dual SIM support, allowing you to use two different phone numbers or carriers at the same time.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Axon 40 SE features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, which provide fast and reliable connections for internet browsing, streaming, and file sharing. It also has NFC support, which means you can use your phone for quick and easy payments at compatible retailers.

When it comes to navigation and location services, the Axon 40 SE offers GPS support, which provides accurate and reliable location data. This is especially useful for users who rely on mapping and navigation apps to get around.

The Axon 40 SE also features a range of sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, an accelerometer, a gyro, a proximity sensor, and a compass. These sensors make the phone more responsive and user-friendly, allowing you to unlock your phone quickly and easily, and track your movements and activities with precision.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features of the ZTE Axon 40 SE are impressive, offering a wide range of options for keeping you connected and productive on the go. Whether you need to stay connected to the internet, make payments, or navigate your way around town, this phone has you covered.

Additional Features

The ZTE Axon 40 SE comes packed with a host of additional features that add to its overall functionality and user experience. One of the most notable features is its water and dust resistance, which allows it to withstand accidental spills and splashes.

Another feature that sets this device apart is its expandable storage options. With a dedicated microSDXC slot, users can easily add up to 1TB of additional storage to the device, making it easier to store and access all their important files and media.

Audio quality is also a strong suit of the Axon 40 SE, with its 3.5mm headphone jack and loudspeaker delivering clear and crisp sound. Additionally, the device features a USB Type-C 2.0 port that supports OTG, making it easy to connect external devices such as flash drives and keyboards.

The device also boasts an array of sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, which all work together to enhance the device's overall functionality and user experience.

Overall, the ZTE Axon 40 SE delivers a range of additional features that add to its already impressive feature set, making it a highly capable and versatile device that is sure to meet the needs of a wide range of users.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Axon 40 SE to other related phones, it's important to consider its price range and features. One phone that falls within a similar price range is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T. The Redmi Note 11T has a slightly larger screen size at 6.67 inches and a higher resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. It also boasts a larger battery capacity of 5000mAh and faster charging capabilities of 33W. However, the Axon 40 SE has a better rear camera setup with a triple camera system, including a 50MP main camera, and a more powerful processor with an octa-core CPU.

Another phone that is comparable to the Axon 40 SE is the Samsung Galaxy A52. Like the Axon 40 SE, the Galaxy A52 also has a 6.5-inch AMOLED display and a triple camera setup. However, the Galaxy A52 has a lower resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a slightly smaller battery capacity of 4500mAh. It also runs on a different operating system, with Samsung's One UI 3.1 based on Android 11.

Lastly, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is another phone that is often compared to the Axon 40 SE. The Nord CE 5G has a slightly larger screen size at 6.43 inches and a higher resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. It also has a higher refresh rate of 90Hz compared to the Axon 40 SE's 60Hz. However, the Axon 40 SE has a more powerful processor with an octa-core CPU and a larger internal storage capacity of 128GB. It also has a slightly better rear camera setup with a higher resolution main camera at 50MP.

Overall, the ZTE Axon 40 SE offers a competitive package of features at its price point, with a solid performance and camera setup. When compared to other phones in its price range, it holds its own with unique features such as its triple camera system and Unisoc UMS512T T618 chipset.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Axon 40 SE is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers great value for its price point. Its sleek and modern design, along with its AMOLED display, provide a premium user experience. The phone's performance is also noteworthy, thanks to its capable processor and ample RAM. The camera system is serviceable and produces decent results in various shooting conditions, although it may not be as impressive as some of its competitors in the same price range. Battery life is reliable, and the phone supports fast charging, which is a convenient feature for heavy users.

Overall, the ZTE Axon 40 SE is a well-rounded smartphone that can satisfy the needs of most users. Its affordable price tag and solid performance make it a compelling option for those who are looking for a reliable mid-range device. Although it may not be the most innovative or feature-packed phone on the market, it offers a great balance of quality and affordability. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and don't want to break the bank, the ZTE Axon 40 SE is definitely worth considering.