ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G (Snapdragon variant) is the better choice. While the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G offers compelling value, the S20+’s superior camera system, faster charging, and broader software support outweigh the Axon’s price advantage.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G | Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-G986B |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G986B |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 06 | 2020, February 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, March 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 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) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.0, (depth) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 Wireless (Qi) | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Cosmic Black, Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud White, Aura Red, Aura Blue |
| Models | - | SM-G986, SM-G986F, SM-G986F/DS, SM-G986U, SM-G986U1, SM-G9860, SM-G986B/DS, SM-G986N, SM-G986B, SM-G986W, SCG02 |
| Price | - | $ 174.17 / C$ 684.99 / € 299.97 |
| SAR | - | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G
- More affordable price point
- Snapdragon 865 offers strong performance
- Clean Android experience (potentially)
- Less refined camera system
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited software update support
Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G
- Superior camera quality and versatility
- Faster 25W charging with PD3.0
- Better software support and features
- Higher price
- Exynos 990 variant can suffer from throttling (Global version)
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize 7nm+ fabrication processes, but display differences exist. While specific panel details for the Axon 10s Pro are less documented, the Galaxy S20+ 5G boasts a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This translates to vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The S20+’s higher peak brightness (estimated around 1300 nits vs. Axon’s likely lower value) provides better outdoor visibility. Both likely feature 120Hz refresh rates, but Samsung’s adaptive refresh rate technology (LTPO) offers more efficient power consumption. Bezels are comparable, but Samsung’s curved display edges contribute to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Samsung’s Galaxy S20+ 5G holds a significant advantage in the camera department. While the Axon 10s Pro offers a capable camera system, the S20+’s combination of a larger main sensor, superior image processing, and versatile lens options (ultra-wide, telephoto) delivers consistently better results. The S20+’s image processing excels in dynamic range and detail preservation, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Axon 10s Pro’s camera is adequate, but lacks the refinement and versatility of Samsung’s offering. The inclusion of OIS on the S20+ further enhances image stability.
Performance
The chipset is a key differentiator. The ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G consistently features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G, while the Galaxy S20+ 5G shipped with either the Exynos 990 (globally) or the Snapdragon 865 (USA). The Snapdragon 865, with its Cortex-A77 cores, generally offers superior sustained performance and thermal management compared to the Exynos 990. The Exynos 990 has been known to throttle under prolonged load, impacting gaming and demanding tasks. Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs, but the Snapdragon’s architecture provides a performance edge. Both devices support LPDDR5 RAM, but the S20+’s optimized software and potentially faster RAM speeds contribute to a smoother user experience.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S20+ 5G features a 4500mAh battery, while the Axon 10s Pro has a 4000mAh battery. While the Axon’s battery is smaller, the Snapdragon 865’s efficiency can partially offset this difference. However, the S20+’s 25W wired charging (PD3.0) is significantly faster than the Axon 10s Pro’s 18W charging (QC4). This translates to quicker top-ups. The S20+ also offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Axon 10s Pro. Real-world usage will see the S20+ providing a more convenient charging experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 10s Pro 5G if you prioritize raw performance-per-dollar and are comfortable with potentially limited software updates. It’s ideal for users who frequently game or run demanding applications and want a Snapdragon 865 device on a budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G if you value a more polished software experience, a versatile and high-quality camera system, and faster charging speeds, even at a higher price point. It’s the better option for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.