ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme vs OnePlus 8T: A Detailed Comparison

The ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme and OnePlus 8T represent distinct approaches to the mid-to-high range smartphone market. The Axon 20 aimed to disrupt with an under-display camera, while the OnePlus 8T focused on refining the established OnePlus formula with faster charging and a vibrant display. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 8T emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, complemented by 65W Super Warp Charge, filling the battery to 100% in just 39 minutes. While the Axon 20 offers a unique under-display camera, the performance trade-offs aren't justifiable for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme OnePlus 8T
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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 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, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 222020, October 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 16
Body
BuildGlass front, eco leather back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions172.1 x 77.9 x 8 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzFluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, MiFavor 10.5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED 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 lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, 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 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging30W wired, QC4, 60% in 30 min65W wired, 100% in 39 min
TypeLi-Ion 4220 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSunrise YellowAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver, Cyberpunk 2077 Edition
ModelsA2121KB2001, KB2000, KB2003, KB2005
PriceAbout 440 EUR€ 130.75
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 586000 (v8) GeekBench: 3126 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme

  • Unique under-display camera technology
  • Potentially lower price point
  • 5G connectivity

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Slower 30W charging
  • Potential display quality compromises due to under-display camera

OnePlus 8T

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 65W Super Warp Charge
  • Brighter and higher contrast display

  • Potentially higher price
  • No under-display camera innovation
  • May experience some throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 8T boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 802 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Axon 20’s display specs aren’t provided, the 8T’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The OnePlus 8T’s display is geared towards media consumption and gaming, while the Axon 20’s under-display camera implementation likely impacts display quality, potentially reducing contrast and color accuracy in the camera area.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The OnePlus 8T likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 865, leading to better image processing and low-light performance. Without specific sensor size information for the Axon 20, it’s difficult to assess its camera quality, but the under-display camera implementation introduces potential challenges for image clarity and dynamic range. The OnePlus 8T’s camera system is likely more consistent and reliable.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 8T’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 865 features a more powerful Cortex-A77 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz versus the Axon 20’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the OnePlus 8T. The 865’s Adreno 650 GPU also provides a substantial graphics boost. While the 765G is capable, it’s positioned for a more budget-conscious user.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the OnePlus 8T’s 65W Super Warp Charge is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 39 minutes. The Axon 20’s 30W QC4 charging, while respectable, takes considerably longer, reaching 60% in 30 minutes. This faster charging capability on the OnePlus 8T is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme if you prioritize experimentation with novel technologies like the under-display camera and are willing to accept compromises in processing power. Buy the OnePlus 8T if you value raw performance, fast charging, and a polished software experience, making it ideal for gamers, power users, and those who demand responsiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the ZTE Axon 20 5G Extreme's under-display camera noticeable in everyday use?
While ZTE attempted to minimize the visibility of the under-display camera, reviews suggest it can be noticeable in certain lighting conditions, particularly when viewing light-colored content. This can impact the overall viewing experience and potentially reduce display quality in that area.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8T struggle with demanding games after prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 865 is known to experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads, such as extended gaming sessions. However, OnePlus’s thermal management system is generally effective at mitigating this, and the 8T should still provide a smooth gaming experience for most users. It won't perform as coolly as newer chipsets, but is still very capable.
❓ Does the OnePlus 8T support 90Hz refresh rate for all apps?
Yes, the OnePlus 8T supports a 120Hz refresh rate, and it's enabled by default for most apps and the system UI, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience. Some apps may need to be specifically optimized to take full advantage of the higher refresh rate.
❓ How does the charging speed of the OnePlus 8T compare to other phones in its price range?
The OnePlus 8T’s 65W Super Warp Charge is significantly faster than most other phones in its price range. Many competitors offer 25W or 30W charging, making the 8T’s charging speed a major advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.