Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) vs ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G: A Detailed Performance and Feature Comparison

Launched in a nascent 5G market, both the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) and ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G represented early attempts at bringing next-generation connectivity to consumers. While both devices aimed for a premium experience, they took different approaches to achieving it, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the better value proposition today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G is the better choice. The Snapdragon 855 consistently outperforms the Kirin 980 in benchmarks and real-world usage, and its Quick Charge 4 support offers a more versatile charging experience. However, the Mate 20 X (5G) offers a larger display, which may appeal to media consumers.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub641, 78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, July2019, February. Released 2019, May
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions174.6 x 85.4 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.36 x 0.33 in)159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight233 g (8.22 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant Stylus support-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)-
Resolution1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~346 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size7.2 inches, 130.7 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10AMOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetKirin 980 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP10Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 9.0 (Pie), MiFavor 9.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", AF48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 11mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired18W wired, QC4 Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsEmerald GreenBlue
ModelsEVR-N29, EVR-AN00A2020, A2020N3 Pro, A2020U Pro, A2020 Pro, A2020N3, 902ZT
PriceAbout 760 EURAbout 900 EUR

Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)

  • Potentially larger display for immersive viewing.
  • 40W wired charging for faster top-ups.
  • Huawei’s established camera software features.

  • Kirin 980 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 855.
  • Less versatile charging options (no wireless).
  • Potential software concerns related to Huawei’s ecosystem.

ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G

  • Snapdragon 855 delivers superior performance.
  • Quick Charge 4 and Qi wireless charging for convenience.
  • Cleaner Android experience.

  • Potentially smaller battery capacity.
  • May lack some of Huawei’s advanced camera features.
  • Less brand recognition compared to Huawei.

Display Comparison

While specific display specs like resolution and panel type aren't provided, both phones targeted a premium visual experience. The Mate 20 X (5G) likely prioritized screen size, given its 'X' designation, potentially offering a larger canvas for multimedia. The Axon 10 Pro 5G, however, distinguished itself with a near-bezel-less design, a feature ZTE heavily marketed. Without detailed brightness or color accuracy data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Axon 10 Pro 5G’s focus on maximizing screen real estate within a smaller footprint is a notable advantage.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both manufacturers were known for incorporating advanced camera technology. The absence of specific sensor size data makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. The Axon 10 Pro 5G likely benefited from Qualcomm’s Spectra 380 ISP, known for its image processing capabilities. The Mate 20 X (5G) likely leveraged Huawei’s computational photography expertise, but without knowing the sensor details, it’s hard to say which phone would produce superior images consistently. We can assume both phones would have offered a competent camera experience for the time.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 980 (7nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855, with its Kryo 485 cores clocked up to 2.84 GHz, generally exhibits superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Kirin 980’s Cortex-A76 and A55 configuration. While both are 7nm chips, Qualcomm’s architecture and optimizations typically translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. This benefits gamers and users running demanding applications. The Axon 10 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 855 will deliver a smoother experience in graphically intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) likely had a larger battery capacity to accommodate its larger display and 5G connectivity. However, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G compensates with significantly faster charging – 18W wired with Quick Charge 4 and wireless Qi charging. The Mate 20 X (5G)’s 40W wired charging is faster, but the Axon 10 Pro 5G’s versatility, including wireless charging, provides greater convenience. The Snapdragon 855’s power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer real-world battery life on the Axon 10 Pro 5G, despite a potentially smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) if you prioritize a larger screen for immersive media consumption and are deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G if you value faster processing speeds, a more flexible charging solution with wireless capabilities, and a cleaner Android experience without Huawei’s customizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Mate 20 X (5G) throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 980, while a capable chip, is known to exhibit more thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 855 under prolonged heavy workloads. This means performance may decrease over time during long gaming sessions or video editing, as the chip reduces clock speeds to manage heat. The Axon 10 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 855 is generally better equipped to maintain consistent performance.
❓ Is Quick Charge 4 on the Axon 10 Pro 5G compatible with all USB-C chargers?
While the Axon 10 Pro 5G supports Quick Charge 4, not all USB-C chargers are compatible. To achieve the fastest charging speeds, you'll need a charger that specifically supports the Quick Charge standard. Standard USB-C Power Delivery (PD) chargers will still work, but at a slower charging rate.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the two phones, considering the different chipsets?
Both phones support 5G, but the Snapdragon 855 in the Axon 10 Pro 5G integrates the X50 5G modem directly into the chipset, offering potentially more efficient power management and optimized 5G performance compared to the Kirin 980’s external modem solution. This can translate to slightly better battery life while using 5G.