ZTE Axon 10 Pro vs OnePlus 7 Pro 5G: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 855 Flagships

Released within months of each other in 2019, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. Both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, but diverge significantly in charging technology and 5G implementation, making a direct comparison crucial for discerning buyers seeking performance without compromise.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and future-proofing with 5G, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Axon 10 Pro’s 18W. However, the Axon 10 Pro remains a compelling option for those seeking a more affordable Snapdragon 855 experience.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 10 Pro OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-41 NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - USA-
Launch
Announced2019, February. Released 2019, May2019, May 14. Released 2019, September 06
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MiFavor 10.0Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.4
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 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)48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC4 Wireless (Qi)30W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlueMirror Grey, Almond, Nebula Blue
ModelsA10P3251, A10P3351GM1925
PriceAbout 470 EURAbout 800 EUR

ZTE Axon 10 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Wireless charging support (Qi)
  • Potentially more natural color reproduction in photos

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • Likely lacks 5G optimization
  • Potentially less refined software experience

OnePlus 7 Pro 5G

  • 30W Warp Charge for incredibly fast charging
  • Integrated 5G connectivity
  • Optimized OxygenOS for smooth performance

  • Higher price tag
  • No wireless charging support
  • Potentially more aggressive image processing

Display Comparison

While both devices feature high-quality AMOLED displays, detailed specifications are missing. However, given OnePlus’s historical focus on display quality, the 7 Pro 5G likely boasts a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially better color calibration. The Axon 10 Pro’s curved display, while visually appealing, may be more prone to accidental touches. Without specific nit ratings, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but OnePlus typically excels in display tuning.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are unavailable, but the market positioning suggests the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system. While both likely utilize a similar primary sensor, OnePlus typically invests heavily in image processing algorithms and offers features like advanced night mode and portrait modes. The Axon 10 Pro may offer a more natural color profile, appealing to photography purists, but the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G likely delivers more consistently impressive results in a wider range of conditions. The absence of information on OIS and lens apertures hinders a more precise assessment.

Performance

Both the ZTE Axon 10 Pro and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) chipset, featuring an identical octa-core CPU configuration. This means raw processing power will be nearly indistinguishable between the two. However, OnePlus is known for its optimized OxygenOS, which often results in more sustained performance under heavy load due to more aggressive thermal management. The lack of detailed RAM specifications (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) makes a precise comparison difficult, but the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G likely benefits from more efficient memory management.

Battery Life

The core difference lies in charging speed. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the ZTE Axon 10 Pro’s 18W QC4 charging. This translates to substantially faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Axon 10 Pro does offer Qi wireless charging, a feature absent on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, providing added convenience for users invested in wireless charging ecosystems.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 10 Pro if you prioritize value and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily rely on 5G connectivity and want a capable flagship without breaking the bank. Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G if you demand the fastest possible charging, want guaranteed 5G access, and are willing to pay a premium for the convenience and future-proofed connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G's 5G connectivity actually make a difference in real-world usage?
The benefit of 5G depends heavily on network availability and your carrier. In areas with robust 5G coverage, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds. However, in areas without 5G, the phone will fall back to 4G LTE, and the 5G modem will have minimal impact.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 30W really that noticeable?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 30W charging can typically top up a phone from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes, while 18W charging will take closer to an hour or more. This is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their devices.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones are capable of handling demanding games thanks to the Snapdragon 855. However, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s optimized OxygenOS and potentially more efficient thermal management may result in slightly more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions, minimizing throttling.