Realme X50 Pro 5G vs ZTE Axon 20 5G: Which 5G Phone Delivers the Best Value?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme X50 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significant performance uplift. However, the ZTE Axon 20 5G remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who don't require the absolute fastest processing speeds.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 20 5G | Realme X50 Pro 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - Global |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 01. Released 2020, September 10 | 2020, February 24. Released 2020, March 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 77.9 x 8 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) | 159 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10.5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.5, 54mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, QC4, 60% in 30 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4220 mAh | 4200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Blue, Purple, Sunrise Yellow | Moss Green, Rust Red |
| Models | A2121, A2121E, A2121G | RMX2075, RMX2071, RMX2076 |
| Price | About 720 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 82h | Endurance rating 90h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -27.3 LUFS (Good) | -23.2 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 320399 (v8) GeekBench: 1957 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 592447 (v8) GeekBench: 3175 (v5.1) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Axon 20 5G
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery life (82h endurance)
- Supports 5G connectivity
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Dimmer display
Realme X50 Pro 5G
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 865 performance
- Extremely fast 65W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more heat generation under load
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Realme X50 Pro 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 635 nits compared to the ZTE Axon 20 5G’s 406 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting they are both utilizing OLED technology, but the brightness difference is a key differentiator. While both likely feature similar color accuracy, the X50 Pro’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume the X50 Pro likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with a larger primary sensor and potentially better image stabilization (OIS). The Snapdragon 865’s image signal processor (ISP) also offers superior image processing capabilities. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the X50 Pro’s overall hardware advantage suggests superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme X50 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+), while the ZTE Axon 20 5G features the SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 prime cores, clocked at 2.84 GHz, offer a substantial performance advantage over the Kryo 475 Prime core in the 765G, peaking at 2.4 GHz. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The X50 Pro’s Adreno 650 GPU also significantly outperforms the 765G’s Adreno 620. While both support 5G connectivity, the 865 offers faster theoretical speeds and improved modem capabilities.
Battery Life
The Realme X50 Pro 5G achieves a 90-hour endurance rating, slightly exceeding the ZTE Axon 20 5G’s 82-hour rating. However, the real differentiator is charging speed. The X50 Pro supports 65W wired charging with PD, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The Axon 20 5G’s 30W charging with QC4 takes considerably longer, reaching 60% in 30 minutes. While the X50 Pro’s battery isn’t significantly larger, the faster charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 20 5G if you need a capable 5G phone at a lower price point and are willing to trade some performance for affordability. Buy the Realme X50 Pro 5G if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and the convenience of incredibly fast 65W charging, and are willing to spend more.