The ZTE Axon 20 4G and Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Axon 20 4G aimed to stand out with its under-display camera (not detailed in provided specs), while the Mi 10T Lite 5G focuses on delivering 5G connectivity and a solid all-around experience at an accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Axon 20 4G’s Unisoc UMS512T (12nm), and the inclusion of 5G connectivity future-proofs the device. Both offer similar battery endurance, but the Mi 10T Lite’s faster 33W charging is a significant benefit.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 17. Released 2020, December 04 | 2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 77.9 x 8 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 214.5 g (7.58 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Unisoc UMS512T / Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10.5 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 64GB 6GB RAM - UFS 2.1
128GB 6GB RAM - UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 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 | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4220 mAh | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Atlantic Blue, Pearl Gray, Rose Gold Beach |
| Models | - | M2007J17G |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 116h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1368:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318882 (v8)
GeekBench: 2009 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Axon 20 4G
- Potentially unique under-display camera (speculation)
- Comparable battery endurance to Mi 10T Lite 5G
- May be available at a lower price point
- Less powerful Unisoc UMS512T chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Charging speed unknown, likely slower than Mi 10T Lite 5G
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset (8nm)
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- 33W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- May be slightly more expensive than Axon 20 4G
- Similar battery endurance to Axon 20 4G despite faster charging
- Camera specs are not detailed
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1368:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 596 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Axon 20 4G, for which brightness data is unavailable. Without knowing the panel technology used in the Axon 20 4G, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Mi 10T Lite’s brightness advantage is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, the presence of 5G on the Mi 10T Lite 5G could facilitate faster uploads of high-resolution photos and videos. The absence of any camera specifics suggests both phones likely target casual photographers rather than enthusiasts.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a significant step up from the ZTE Axon 20 4G’s Unisoc UMS512T (12nm). The 8nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 750G’s CPU, with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores, also outpaces the Axon 20 4G’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Mi 10T Lite 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 116 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G features 33W wired charging, significantly faster than any charging information available for the ZTE Axon 20 4G. This means the Mi 10T Lite 5G can be rapidly topped up, minimizing downtime and offering greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 20 4G if you prioritize a potentially unique under-display camera experience (assuming it functions well, which isn't covered in the specs) and are less concerned with 5G connectivity or raw processing power. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, faster charging, and the benefits of 5G network access, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and future network compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the Mi 10T Lite 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it's not a flagship-level gaming chip, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Unisoc UMS512T in the Axon 20 4G due to its more powerful GPU and efficient architecture.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Mi 10T Lite 5G compared to 4G on the Axon 20 4G in real-world scenarios?
5G speeds on the Mi 10T Lite 5G can be several times faster than 4G on the Axon 20 4G, depending on network availability and coverage. In ideal conditions, you can expect download speeds of hundreds of megabits per second with 5G, compared to tens of megabits per second with 4G. This translates to faster downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Unisoc UMS512T and Snapdragon 750G noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 750G’s more powerful CPU and GPU result in snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience. While the Axon 20 4G can handle basic tasks, the Mi 10T Lite 5G provides a more fluid and enjoyable experience, especially when multitasking.
