The smartphone landscape is diverse, with options ranging from ultra-premium flagships to aggressively priced budget devices. We're pitting the itel S23+, a modern budget contender, against the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, a phone that once represented a high-end experience but now exists in a different market segment due to its age. This comparison explores whether the Reno 10x Zoom’s older, more powerful hardware still justifies its potential price, or if the itel S23+ offers a more sensible experience for today’s user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom offers a significant performance advantage thanks to its Snapdragon 855 chipset. However, the itel S23+ provides a more modern software experience and potentially better long-term support, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing value and software updates.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September 19 | 2019, April. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 19 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 7.9 mm thickness | 162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 | 6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 500 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 13, itel OS 13 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0 | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Cyan | Ocean Green, Jet Black, Mist Pink, Ocean Blue |
| Models | S681LN | CPH1919, PCCM00 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 1020 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.7 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 364220 (v7), 407473 (v8)
GeekBench: 10395 (v4.4), 2103 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
itel S23+
- Modern software experience
- Potentially better long-term software support
- More affordable price point
- Significantly less powerful chipset
- Likely lower display quality
- Unknown camera capabilities
Oppo Reno 10x zoom
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 855
- Unique 10x hybrid optical zoom
- Faster charging (20W)
- Aging battery and potential degradation
- Limited software support
- Potentially higher price due to rarity
Display Comparison
The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits, which was respectable for its time, but falls behind many modern displays. The itel S23+’s display specifications are not provided, but given its price point, it likely offers lower peak brightness. Both devices feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED/AMOLED panels. The Reno 10x Zoom’s older panel technology may exhibit more noticeable color shifting at extreme viewing angles compared to newer displays.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the itel S23+. The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s key feature was its 10x hybrid optical zoom, a capability the itel S23+ almost certainly lacks. While the Reno 10x Zoom’s sensor size and aperture are unknown, its zoom capabilities and image processing algorithms were advanced for their time. Without specific details on the itel S23+’s camera, it’s safe to assume it will offer a more basic photography experience, likely focusing on adequate performance in good lighting conditions.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-class chipset from 2019, featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This dwarfs the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) in the itel S23+, which utilizes a more power-efficient but less powerful core configuration peaking at 2.0 GHz. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, allowing for sustained performance under load. While the itel S23+ is sufficient for everyday tasks, the Reno 10x Zoom will handle demanding games and applications with considerably more ease.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the difference in chipsets. However, this rating is based on a specific usage profile and the age of the Reno 10x Zoom’s battery is a critical factor. The Reno 10x Zoom supports 20W wired charging, slightly faster than the itel S23+’s 18W charging. Given the Reno 10x Zoom’s age, its battery capacity may have degraded, potentially negating the advantage of faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S23+ if you need a reliable daily driver with a modern software experience and prioritize affordability. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and occasionally play less demanding games. Buy the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom if you prioritize raw performance for gaming or demanding applications, and are comfortable with a device that may have limited software support and a potentially aging battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 855 in the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom still capable of handling modern games?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 remains a capable chipset for gaming, even in 2024. It can handle most popular titles at high settings, although it may not achieve the same frame rates as newer flagship processors. Thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How likely is it that the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom's battery has degraded over time?
Highly likely. Lithium-ion batteries degrade with age and usage. A phone released in 2019 will almost certainly have experienced some battery capacity loss, potentially reducing its overall battery life compared to its original specifications.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the itel S23+?
itel typically provides a limited number of software updates for its budget devices. While you can expect security patches and minor bug fixes, major Android version updates are less common. Check itel's official website for specific update commitments for the S23+.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset in the itel S23+ sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and messaging. It won't offer the same level of performance as a flagship chipset, but it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical smartphone usage.
