ZTE Axon 30 5G vs Motorola Edge 20 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 870 Performance and Battery Life

Both the ZTE Axon 30 5G and Motorola Edge 20 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range flagship space, powered by the capable Snapdragon 870 5G chipset. However, despite sharing the same silicon, these phones diverge significantly in areas like display brightness and battery endurance, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison will dissect these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior 112-hour endurance rating, stemming from a more efficient power profile, outweighs the Axon 30 5G’s faster 65W charging. While both offer excellent performance, the Edge 20 Pro delivers peace of mind for all-day use.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 30 5G Motorola Edge 20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 18, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China-
Launch
Announced2021, July 272021, July 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 03Available. Released 2021, August 16
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back
Dimensions170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, MyOS 11Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD, QC430W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4200 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, AquaMidnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud
ModelsA2322, A2322GXT2153-1
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 330 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h Endurance rating 112h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.7 LUFS (Good) -29.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 701991 (v9) GeekBench: 3160 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 711090 (v9) GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 30 5G

  • Faster 65W charging for quick top-ups
  • Supports PD and QC4 charging standards
  • Potentially more affordable (market dependent)

  • Significantly lower battery endurance (86h)
  • Dimmer display impacts outdoor visibility
  • Camera specifications are unknown

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

  • Superior battery life (112h endurance)
  • Brighter display for better outdoor readability
  • Efficient power management

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Camera specifications are unknown
  • May be priced higher than the Axon 30 5G

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts a considerably brighter display, reaching a measured 673 nits compared to the ZTE Axon 30 5G’s 438 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in outdoor visibility, where the Edge 20 Pro will remain far more readable under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks typical of OLED panels, but the brightness disparity is the defining factor. While neither specification details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), the brightness advantage clearly favors the Motorola.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into their camera systems. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both will offer competent image capture, but the lack of specifics prevents identifying a clear winner. The omission of details regarding features like computational photography or video recording resolutions further limits analysis. We can safely assume both will include standard features, but the quality will depend on the unseen hardware and software processing.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585, and 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585). This means CPU performance will be virtually identical across both phones. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) or speed prevents a deeper analysis of multitasking capabilities, but the shared chipset ensures a smooth experience for demanding applications and gaming. Thermal management, however, could differ based on chassis design and cooling solutions, a factor not detailed in the provided data.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s 112-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the ZTE Axon 30 5G’s 86-hour rating. This indicates a more efficient power management system or a larger battery capacity (though the capacity isn't specified). While the Axon 30 5G compensates with 65W wired charging (supporting PD and QC4), enabling faster top-ups, the Edge 20 Pro’s longer runtime reduces the need for frequent charging. The Edge 20 Pro’s 30W charging is slower, but the superior battery life mitigates this disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 30 5G if you prioritize rapid charging and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery throughout the day. Its 65W charging capability is a significant advantage. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if you value extended battery life and prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day – and beyond – on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ZTE Axon 30 5G's 65W charging significantly reduce battery degradation over time compared to the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's 30W?
While faster charging is convenient, it can contribute to slightly increased heat generation, potentially accelerating long-term battery degradation. However, modern charging algorithms mitigate this effect. The difference is likely minimal, and the Edge 20 Pro's longer overall battery life may offset any potential degradation from slower charging.
❓ Given the lack of camera details, is it safe to assume the Motorola Edge 20 Pro has a more advanced camera system based on its higher price point (typically)?
Historically, Motorola's 'Pro' series devices have featured more sophisticated camera hardware and software. While not guaranteed, it's a reasonable assumption that the Edge 20 Pro will offer a more versatile and capable camera experience, potentially including features like larger sensors, optical image stabilization, and more advanced computational photography.
❓ Will both phones experience throttling during extended gaming sessions, despite the Snapdragon 870's efficiency?
The Snapdragon 870 is a relatively efficient chipset, but sustained high loads will inevitably generate heat. Throttling is possible on both devices, but the extent will depend on the phone's thermal design (heat pipe, vapor chamber, etc.), which isn't specified in the provided data. A larger chassis generally allows for better heat dissipation.