Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The ZTE Avid 579 and OnePlus Nord N300 are both contenders, offering affordability and a range of capabilities. But which one truly delivers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord N300 is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, brighter display, faster charging, and impressive battery life outweigh the Avid 579's potential cost savings. While the Avid might be cheaper, the Nord N300 offers a significantly better overall experience.
| 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, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 24. Released 2020, June 24 | 2022, October 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, November 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 9.6 mm (5.79 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 5.45, 76.7 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, OxygenOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM Radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2660 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Midnight Jade |
| Models | - | CPH2389 |
| Price | About 20 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1506:1 (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 335440 (v9)
GeekBench: 1780 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Avid 579
- Potentially lower price
- Basic functionality
- Weak processor
- Lower display quality
- Slower charging
- Likely inferior camera
- Limited features
OnePlus Nord N300
- Powerful processor
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast charging (33W)
- Good camera performance
- Long battery life
- More features
- Slightly higher price (compared to the absolute cheapest options)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N300 boasts a significantly brighter display (623 nits vs. likely lower on the Avid) and a high contrast ratio (1506:1). While both offer a nominal 1506:1 contrast ratio, the measured brightness of the Nord N300 makes a noticeable difference in outdoor visibility and overall viewing experience. The Avid's display is likely adequate but lacks the vibrancy and clarity of the Nord N300.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are limited for the Avid 579, the Nord N300 generally offers a more capable camera system. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the Nord N300. The Nord N300 likely features a higher resolution main sensor and potentially additional features like night mode.
Performance
The Nord N300's Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Avid 579's Helio A20. The Dimensity 810's octa-core architecture, including Cortex-A76 cores, provides significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. Expect noticeable lag and slower app loading times on the Avid compared to the Nord N300. Gaming performance will also be considerably better on the Nord N300.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Nord N300's 33W wired charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the Avid's likely slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Avid 579 is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and are willing to accept compromises in performance and features. The OnePlus Nord N300 is ideal for those seeking a reliable, feature-rich budget phone with good performance, a vibrant display, and long battery life – a solid all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Avid 579 a good phone for basic tasks like calling and texting?
Yes, the Avid 579 can handle basic tasks adequately. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps or multitasking.
❓ How much faster is the OnePlus Nord N300 than the ZTE Avid 579?
The Nord N300's chipset is significantly faster, offering a noticeable improvement in performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and app loading times. Expect a 2-3x performance increase in benchmarks.