Motorola Edge 20 Fusion vs ZTE Axon 20 4G: Which Mid-Range Phone Delivers More?

The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion and ZTE Axon 20 4G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Axon 20 4G, while older, offers a unique value proposition, while the Edge 20 Fusion aims for a more balanced experience with a newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a significant performance uplift over the ZTE Axon 20 4G’s Unisoc T618, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 20 4G Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, November 17. Released 2020, December 042021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 27
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front
Dimensions172.1 x 77.9 x 8 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)166 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc UMS512T / Tiger T618 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUMali G52 MP2Mali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 10, MiFavor 10.5Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-30W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4220 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackElectric Graphite, Cyber Teal
PriceAbout 370 EURAbout 250 EUR

ZTE Axon 20 4G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer unique color options
  • Simple, straightforward user experience

  • Significantly weaker performance
  • Less efficient chipset
  • Slower charging speeds

Motorola Edge 20 Fusion

  • Faster and more efficient processor
  • 30W fast charging
  • Better gaming performance

  • Likely higher price
  • May lack unique features found on the Axon 20 4G
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) are missing for the Axon 20 4G, its age suggests a standard 60Hz panel. The Edge 20 Fusion, similarly, doesn't push boundaries. The key difference lies under the hood: the Dimensity 800U’s GPU will handle graphically intensive content more efficiently, indirectly impacting the perceived display quality during gaming. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, meaning viewing angles and color accuracy will be adequate but not exceptional.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion likely benefits from a more modern image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 800U. This ISP will contribute to better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The ZTE Axon 20 4G, relying on an older chipset, will likely produce images with less detail and more visible noise, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Fusion, if equipped, would further enhance its camera capabilities.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) features Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, a substantial upgrade over the ZTE Axon 20 4G’s Unisoc UMS512T/Tiger T618 (12nm) with its Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 7nm fabrication process of the Dimensity 800U is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Motorola. The Unisoc T618 will struggle with demanding titles, likely requiring significant graphical settings reductions.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage. This allows for a much faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Axon 20 4G, which likely supports slower charging speeds. While a larger battery on the Axon 20 4G could offset the slower charging, the Dimensity 800U’s power efficiency means the Fusion will likely deliver comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 20 4G if you are on an extremely tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic communication and light tasks. Its affordability is its strongest asset. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or appreciate faster charging speeds – the extra investment delivers a noticeably improved overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T618 in the ZTE Axon 20 4G struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T618 is likely to struggle with demanding games. You'll need to significantly lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve playable performance, even then, expect occasional stuttering. The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s Dimensity 800U is far better equipped for mobile gaming.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion support 5G connectivity, and is it a significant advantage over the 4G-only ZTE Axon 20 4G?
Yes, the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion supports 5G connectivity. While 5G availability varies by region, it offers significantly faster download and upload speeds where available, providing a smoother online experience and faster access to streaming services. The ZTE Axon 20 4G is limited to 4G speeds.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the ZTE Axon 20 4G compare to the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion during prolonged use?
The ZTE Axon 20 4G, with its less efficient 12nm Unisoc T618 chipset, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. This means performance will decrease over time as the phone heats up. The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s 7nm Dimensity 800U is more thermally efficient, allowing it to maintain higher performance for longer periods.