Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we pit a budget-friendly contender, the ZTE Avid 579, against a former flagship, the Google Pixel 2 XL. This comparison will help you decide which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 2 XL is the clear winner, offering superior performance, a vastly better camera, and a premium experience. While the ZTE Avid 579 provides basic functionality at a low price, it can't compete with the Pixel 2 XL's overall quality and features. It's a budget choice, the Pixel a premium one.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 24. Released 2020, June 24 | 2017, October 04. Released 2017, October 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 9.6 mm (5.79 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 5.45, 76.7 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM Radio | No |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 2660 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Just Black, Black & White |
| Models | - | G011C |
| Price | About 20 EUR | About 520 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise - 93.7 / Crosstalk - 79.7 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: ∞ |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 206711 (v7)
GeekBench: 6055 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Avid 579
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight
- Low performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated design
- Limited storage
Google Pixel 2 XL
- Excellent camera
- Smooth performance
- Clean Android experience
- Premium design
- Good battery life
- Older model
- Battery degradation possible
- Limited storage compared to modern phones
- No longer receiving software updates
Display Comparison
The Pixel 2 XL boasts a stunning OLED display with an infinite contrast ratio, vibrant colors, and excellent viewing angles. The Avid 579 likely has a standard LCD display, offering acceptable but less impressive visuals. The Pixel's display is significantly superior.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 2 XL's camera is renowned for its exceptional image quality, particularly in low light. Google's computational photography is a major strength. The Avid 579's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't match the Pixel's capabilities in any area.
Performance
The Snapdragon 835 in the Pixel 2 XL provides a substantial performance advantage over the Helio A20 in the Avid 579. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Pixel. The Avid will struggle with demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have excellent battery life (88h endurance rating). However, the Pixel 2 XL's more efficient chipset and optimized software likely contribute to slightly better real-world performance despite the Avid's potentially larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Avid 579 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic communication and light tasks. The Google Pixel 2 XL is perfect for those who prioritize camera quality, smooth performance, and a clean Android experience, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel 2 XL still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, if you prioritize camera quality and a clean Android experience and don't mind an older device. However, be aware that it's no longer receiving software updates.
❓ What are the main differences between the two phones?
The Pixel 2 XL offers significantly better performance, a superior camera, and a premium design. The Avid 579 is a budget option for basic phone usage.