ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G vs OnePlus 8 Pro: A Detailed Snapdragon 865 Flagship Comparison

Released within months of each other in 2020, the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G and OnePlus 8 Pro represent two approaches to the Snapdragon 865 flagship. The Axon 10s Pro aimed for a more aggressive price point, while the OnePlus 8 Pro positioned itself as a premium, all-rounder. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences, focusing on where each phone excels.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the superior choice. While both phones share the Snapdragon 865 chipset, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s significantly faster 30W wired and wireless charging, coupled with its comparable 103-hour endurance rating, provides a more convenient and reliable daily experience. The Axon 10s Pro offers a compelling value proposition, but compromises in charging and overall refinement hold it back.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G OnePlus 8 Pro
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 - EU
5G bands41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA78 SA/NSA - IN
Launch
Announced2020, February 062020, April 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, April 21
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)165.3 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm (6.51 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1440 x 3168 pixels (~513 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, MiFavor 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.4, (Color filter camera)
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 125˚, 16mm (ultrawide)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (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, LE5.1, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, 50% in 23 min 30W wireless, 50% in 30 min 3W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4510 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlue, BlackGlacial Green, Ultramarine Blue, Onyx Black
Models-IN2023, IN2020, IN2021, IN2025
Price-About 310 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 428.39
256GB 12GB RAM-$ 853.51
RENEWED-$ 486.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 103h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 573276 (v8) GeekBench: 3374 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Snapdragon 865 5G chipset
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slow 18W charging
  • Limited battery endurance information
  • Less refined software experience (likely)

OnePlus 8 Pro

  • 30W wired and wireless charging
  • 103-hour endurance rating
  • Versatile camera system
  • Smooth 120Hz display

  • Higher price tag
  • Can be prone to software bloat (historically)
  • Larger size and weight

Display Comparison

Both the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G and OnePlus 8 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, detailed specifications like peak brightness and panel technology (LTPO) are missing for the Axon 10s Pro. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s display is known for its vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which the Axon 10s Pro likely lacks. Without further data, it’s safe to assume the OnePlus 8 Pro offers a more visually impressive and responsive display experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited for the Axon 10s Pro. The OnePlus 8 Pro is known for its versatile camera setup, including a 48MP main sensor with OIS, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens. Image processing leans towards natural colors and dynamic range. Without specifics on the Axon 10s Pro’s sensor sizes and lens apertures, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s established reputation for image quality and video recording gives it an edge.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), utilizing the same octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. The key difference lies in thermal management and sustained performance. OnePlus has a strong track record of optimizing software and hardware for efficient cooling, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM configurations are also a factor, with the OnePlus 8 Pro offering up to 12GB, while the Axon 10s Pro’s maximum RAM is unknown. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s use of LPDDR5 RAM further enhances memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating excellent battery life. It supports 30W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 23 minutes, and an impressive 30W wireless charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes. It also includes 3W reverse wireless charging. The ZTE Axon 10s Pro, in contrast, is limited to 18W wired charging with QC4 and standard Qi wireless charging. This slower charging speed is a significant disadvantage, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While the Axon 10s Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s combination of capacity and charging speed provides a more convenient and efficient experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid performer for the price, offering flagship-level processing power without the premium cost. Buy the OnePlus 8 Pro if you value fast charging, long battery life, and a more polished software experience. It’s the better choice for power users and those who demand convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for optimal 5G speeds?
While the Axon 10s Pro 5G features the Snapdragon 865 with 5G capabilities, specific details regarding carrier aggregation support are limited. OnePlus typically prioritizes optimizing 5G connectivity, so the 8 Pro likely offers broader compatibility and faster speeds in more regions.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G and the OnePlus 8 Pro?
OnePlus’ OxygenOS is renowned for its clean interface, minimal bloatware, and frequent updates. ZTE’s software, while functional, historically hasn’t received the same level of polish or long-term support. This difference in software experience is a significant factor for many users.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Axon 10s Pro 5G sufficient for daily use?
18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 30W options available on the OnePlus 8 Pro. While it will charge the phone overnight, users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery will find the Axon 10s Pro’s charging speed frustratingly slow.