The Axon 50 Ultra: A Successor Rooted in Incremental Refinement
The most substantial rumors swirl around a device tentatively dubbed the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra or Axon 60 Ultra, positioned as the direct successor to the Axon 40 Ultra. Leaks, primarily stemming from certification listings on platforms like TENAA in China and the FCC in the USA, paint a picture of a device that refines the existing book-fold formula rather than reinventing it. The core design language appears consistent with its predecessor, featuring a sleek book-style foldable with a prominent circular camera module on the rear cover display.
The internal main display is speculated to retain a similar size, hovering around the 7.3 to 7.5-inch mark, utilizing a second-generation under-display camera (UDC) technology. This iteration aims to further minimize the visibility of the front-facing camera embedded beneath the screen, striving for a truly seamless, uninterrupted canvas for content consumption and productivity. The goal is to achieve a higher pixel density over the camera area and improved light transmittance for better selfie quality without sacrificing the pristine look of the display when not in use. The external cover screen is expected to be a generous 6.5-inch panel, ensuring full usability even when the device is closed, a significant advantage over competitors with smaller outer displays.
Hardware and Performance: Powering the Foldable Experience
Under the hood, the Axon 50/60 Ultra is universally expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform, or potentially even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, depending on its release window. This aligns with ZTE’s history of equipping its Ultra-branded devices with the latest available flagship silicon. This chipset provides the necessary computational and graphical horsepower to drive the large internal display, handle multitasking, and ensure smooth performance in demanding applications and games. Coupled with at least 12GB, and potentially up to 16GB, of LPDDR5X RAM, the device is being positioned as a performance workhorse.
Storage options are likely to start at 256GB and scale to 1TB, utilizing fast UFS 4.0 storage technology. Battery capacity, a critical component for any power-hungry foldable, is rumored to be in the 5,000mAh to 5,200mAh range. This would represent a modest increase over the Axon 40 Ultra’s 4,960mAh cell, addressing one of the few common pain points of foldables: all-day endurance. Leaked certifications also strongly suggest support for 80W wired fast charging, a significant upgrade that would allow for incredibly quick top-ups, potentially filling the battery from zero to full in well under an hour. Wireless charging capabilities, however, remain a point of speculation, with some leaks suggesting its inclusion and others omitting it.
The Camera System: Continuing the Ultra Legacy
ZTE’s Axon Ultra series has built a reputation on its triple-capable camera systems, and the foldable iteration is expected to be no different. The rumors point towards a continuation of a high-resolution triple-camera array housed within the circular module on the back. The primary sensor is anticipated to be a 64MP or 50MP shooter with large pixel size and optical image stabilization (OIS). It is likely to be joined by a high-resolution periscope-style telephoto lens, potentially offering 3x to 5x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide-angle sensor of equal megapixel count.
The true evolution is expected in the computational photography and software processing, with ZTE leveraging AI to enhance images taken from both the main cameras and the under-display selfie camera. The challenge with the UDC has always been image quality, and leaks suggest ZTE’s engineers have made significant strides in algorithm-based correction for sharpness, color accuracy, and low-light performance for the front-facing camera.
The nubia Flip: ZTE’s Answer to the Clamshell Market
Perhaps the more exciting and visually distinct rumor is the development of a flip-style foldable under ZTE’s sub-brand, nubia. Dubbed the nubia Flip in numerous leaks, this device would mark ZTE’s entry into the increasingly popular vertical folding phone segment, competing directly with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series and the Motorola Razr+.
Leaked renders and prototype images reveal a design that closely follows the clamshell format but with a key differentiating feature: a large, functional circular cover display. This display appears significantly larger than the narrow strip on the standard Galaxy Z Flip 5 and is more comparable to the Razr+’s panel, though circular in shape. This cover screen is designed to show notifications, control music, take selfies using the main cameras, and likely run a suite of customized widgets without needing to open the phone.
Specifications for the nubia Flip suggest a more mid-range to high-end positioning rather than a outright flagship. It is rumored to feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, providing capable performance while potentially keeping costs lower than devices using the premium Snapdragon 8 series. The internal main display is expected to be a 6.8-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED panel, with a tiny punch-hole camera instead of an under-display solution. The dual-camera system on the back is speculated to consist of a 50MP primary sensor and a 16MP secondary sensor, likely an ultra-wide-angle lens. A roughly 4,300mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging has also been mentioned in leaks, which would be a competitive capacity for a flip-foldable.
A Glimpse Further Out: The Dual-Fold Prototype
Beyond the imminent devices, ZTE has also teased a more radical, forward-looking concept: a dual-foldable phone. This prototype device, showcased at events like MWC, demonstrates a design that can fold in two places, transforming from a standard phone size into a small tablet. In its compact state, it functions as a typical smartphone. A single fold opens it into a larger, square-shaped tablet, and unfolding it completely reveals an even larger, more traditional rectangular tablet form factor.
While this device remains a prototype and is not the subject of imminent release rumors, its existence reveals ZTE’s long-term R&D direction. It signals an ambition to explore more complex form factors and hinge mechanisms, pushing the boundaries of what a foldable display can do. Leaks and patents surrounding this technology indicate ongoing work on durability, software optimization for multiple screen states, and minimizing the crease across two separate folding points.
Software and Market Positioning
The success of any foldable hinges not just on hardware but on software optimization. ZTE’s devices run on MyOS, based on Android. Leaks from beta software and developer builds suggest a strong focus on features that leverage the foldable form factor. This includes enhanced multi-active window multitasking, app continuity (seamlessly transitioning an app from the cover screen to the main display when opened), and customizable split-screen functionalities. The software experience for the large circular cover display on the nubia Flip will be particularly crucial and is a key area of development according to sources.
Market positioning rumors indicate a continued focus on China first, with a gradual global rollout, particularly for the book-style Axon Ultra foldable. The nubia Flip, however, could see a more aggressive global push as it targets a broader, style-conscious audience. Pricing is expected to be competitive, with ZTE and nubia historically undercutting giants like Samsung. The Axon 50/60 Ultra might be positioned slightly below the Galaxy Z Fold, while the nubia Flip could aim to undercut the Galaxy Z Flip series, offering a compelling alternative with its distinctive large circular cover screen.
Challenges and the Competitive Landscape
The leaks and rumors, while promising, also highlight the challenges ZTE faces. The foldable market is maturing rapidly, with Samsung dominating global mindshare and brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Honor holding strong in China. Google has also entered the fray with the Pixel Fold. For ZTE to gain significant traction, it must not only deliver on the rumored specs but also ensure best-in-class build quality, durability, and a polished software experience. The hinge mechanism, a critical component, must be flawless, minimizing the crease and allowing for a gapless closure. Furthermore, ZTE’s weaker global brand recognition compared to its rivals means it must rely on delivering exceptional value and innovative features, like the advanced UDC and large cover displays, to stand out and convince consumers to take a chance on its foldable vision.