ZTE is the first to return to the high-end premium phone market with the Axon 30 Ultra. This flagship smartphone offers all the specs that the Axon 20 didn’t and does in a sleek, modern package. On paper, it competes well with top phones from Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, and others. Does ZTE’s latest have what it takes to earn consumer cash? Find out in Android Authority ZTE Axon 30 Ultra Review.
About this ZTE Axon 30 Ultra review: I tested the ZTE Axon 30 Ultra (8GB/128GB) for seven. The software version is running on Android 11 and iOS 11. The ZTE Axon 30 Ultra unit was delivered. Android Authority By ZTE for this review.
What you need to know about ZTE Axon 30 Ultra
Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority
- ZTE Axon 30 Ultra (8GB/128GB): $749/€749/£649
- ZTE Axon 30 Ultra (12GB/256GB): $849/€849/£739
The Axon 30 Ultra marks a return to the premium flagship space for ZTE. It’s a monster of a device with (almost) all the specs and features you’d expect to see in this category.
The Axon 30 Ultra is already on sale in China and will be made available in North America, Europe and the UK starting in June. The two models will be made available in most global markets. One with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and the other with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Black is the only color option available outside of China. Online pre-ordering from ZTE’s website begins on May 27 and the general sale date is June 4. Anyone who pre-orders the phone will get a free pair of headphones from ZTE.
The phone goes head-to-head with the likes of the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, and the Xiaomi Mi 11 family. It’s some tough competition, but the Axon 30 Ultra is up for the challenge.
How is the design?
Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority
ZTE’s Axon 30 Ultra reminds me a bit of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It’s a blocky piece of hardware with hard corners and a large camera module at the back. The phone features a glass and metal sandwich design, with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, and aluminum serving as the middle frame. ZTE didn’t say why it went with Gorilla Glass 5 instead of the new Gorilla Glass Victus, though that’s not a deal breaker at this price. Both the front and rear glass panels are curved, with the rear being taller than the front. The curves help the phone rest more deeply in your grip. The metal frame is thin with side rails and sticks out a bit. You can feel it against your palms. I like the black colorway, which depends on how you hold it in the light. It has a matte finish and includes an anti-scratch coating.
See also: The best ZTE phones you can get in 2021
The phone is a good-sized hunk of glass. The shape of the screen makes for a tall, slim phone that’s easy to hold in your hand, but not necessarily easy to reach with your thumb. ZTE keeps the weight at a respectable 188 grams. It doesn’t feel big inside you…