ZTE Axon 11 5G vs Nokia 8.3 5G: A Tale of Two 765Gs

The ZTE Axon 11 5G and Nokia 8.3 5G represent a fascinating case study in the mid-range 5G market. Both devices launched with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, offering similar core performance. However, differences in charging implementation and brand philosophies create distinct user experiences, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and potentially faster charging speeds, the ZTE Axon 11 5G emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer identical processing power, the Axon 11 5G’s Quick Charge 4 support provides a marginal advantage in topping up the battery, and historically has been available at a lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 11 5G Nokia 8.3 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE (3CA), 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 2.4/1.2 Gbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2020, March 23. Released 2020, March 302020, March 19. Released 2020, September 15
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, plastic frame, glass back
Dimensions159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)171.9 x 78.6 x 9 mm (6.77 x 3.09 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, MiFavor 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Android One
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 64GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.43", 1.4µm, AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRZeiss optics, HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm24 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC418W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, BlackPolar Night
ModelsA2021, A2021G, A2021L, A2021ETA-1243, TA-1251
PriceAbout 490 EURAbout 470 EUR
SAR-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.41 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.41 W/kg (body)

ZTE Axon 11 5G

  • Quick Charge 4 support for potentially faster charging.
  • Historically lower price point offering better value.
  • Streamlined Android experience with less bloatware.

  • Brand recognition is lower than Nokia.
  • Software update commitment is less clear than Nokia.

Nokia 8.3 5G

  • Near-stock Android experience with guaranteed updates.
  • Strong brand reputation for reliability and longevity.
  • Potentially larger display for a more immersive experience.

  • Lacks Quick Charge 4 support, potentially slower charging.
  • May be priced higher than the ZTE Axon 11 5G.
  • Software can be perceived as 'vanilla' by some users.

Display Comparison

Both the ZTE Axon 11 5G and Nokia 8.3 5G lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, we can infer both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors. The absence of information regarding refresh rates (60Hz vs 90Hz or 120Hz) or peak brightness is a significant omission. Without this data, it’s impossible to definitively state which device offers a superior viewing experience, but the Nokia 8.3 5G’s larger 6.81-inch display *could* offer a more immersive experience, assuming similar pixel density.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are absent, making a thorough comparison challenging. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups to leverage the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP capabilities. However, without knowing sensor sizes, lens apertures, or the presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), it’s difficult to assess image quality. The inclusion of a dedicated night mode and HDR processing will be crucial for low-light performance. We can assume both phones will offer a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially macro lens, but the quality of these lenses will vary significantly.

Performance

The core performance of both devices is identical, powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset. This octa-core CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – delivers comparable processing power for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The 7nm process node ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but sustained heavy workloads will likely result in some throttling on both devices. The lack of LPDDR5 or LPDDR4X RAM specification prevents a deeper analysis of memory bandwidth, but it’s unlikely to be a significant differentiator.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE Axon 11 5G and Nokia 8.3 5G support 18W wired charging. While the wattage is the same, the ZTE Axon 11 5G benefits from Quick Charge 4 (QC4) compatibility. This allows it to potentially draw more power and charge faster than the Nokia 8.3 5G, which doesn’t explicitly mention QC support. The actual 0-100% charging time will depend on the battery capacity of each device (which is not provided), but the QC4 support gives the Axon 11 5G a slight edge. Without battery capacity data, it’s impossible to determine which phone offers better battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 11 5G if you need a reliable 5G experience at the lowest possible price, and appreciate a more streamlined, less software-heavy Android experience. Buy the Nokia 8.3 5G if you prefer a near-stock Android experience with guaranteed software updates and value the Nokia brand’s commitment to longevity, even if it means potentially paying a slight premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range chipset, but demanding games like Genshin Impact will require reduced graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate on both the ZTE Axon 11 5G and Nokia 8.3 5G. Expect playable performance at medium settings, but don't anticipate a flagship-level gaming experience.
❓ How does Nokia's software update policy compare to ZTE's for these models?
Nokia is renowned for its commitment to software updates, guaranteeing at least three years of security updates and two major Android version upgrades for the Nokia 8.3 5G. ZTE’s update policy is less predictable, and typically offers fewer updates over the lifespan of the device. This is a key differentiator for users prioritizing long-term software support.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed sufficient for all-day use on either phone?
While 18W charging isn't slow, it's not particularly fast by today's standards. It will take approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours to fully charge either device, depending on battery capacity. The ZTE Axon 11 5G’s Quick Charge 4 support *may* reduce this time slightly, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial.