ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vs Google Pixel 3a XL: A Clash of Generations
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G offers significantly superior performance and camera capabilities thanks to its Snapdragon 888 chipset. However, the Pixel 3a XL boasts exceptional battery life and a clean Android experience. The Axon 30 Pro is the clear winner for power users, while the Pixel 3a XL remains a compelling option for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G | Google Pixel 3a XL |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 15 | 2019, May 07. Released 2019, May 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 160.1 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.30 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 167 g (5.89 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~76.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | OLED |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 11, MyOS 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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/6, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, QC4 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink | Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish |
| Models | A2022 | G020C, G020G, G020F, G020A, G020B, G020D |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -90.8dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 98h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: infinite |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 79dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 91dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 159110 (v7), 176612 (v8) GeekBench: 5176 (v4.4), 1307 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G
- Flagship-level performance
- Excellent camera system
- 5G connectivity
- Fast charging (55W)
- Modern design
- Battery life could be better
- Software support may not be as long as Pixel
- Potential for bloatware
Google Pixel 3a XL
- Exceptional battery life (98h endurance)
- Clean Android experience
- Excellent software support (from Google)
- Compact size
- Good value for money
- Outdated chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging (18W)
- Older design
Display Comparison
The Axon 30 Pro 5G likely features a more modern display with a higher resolution and refresh rate (likely 120Hz), offering smoother visuals. While the Pixel 3a XL boasts an infinite contrast ratio (typical of OLED), its 451 nits brightness is lower than what's expected from a modern display. Color accuracy is generally good on both, but the Axon 30 Pro's display will likely be more vibrant and visually appealing.
Camera Comparison
The Axon 30 Pro 5G's camera system is expected to be superior, likely featuring higher resolution sensors and advanced image processing capabilities. While the Pixel 3a XL is known for its excellent computational photography and Google's image processing, the Axon 30 Pro's hardware advantage should result in better overall image quality, especially in low light. The Axon 30 Pro also likely offers more versatile shooting options.
Performance
This is where the Axon 30 Pro 5G truly shines. The Snapdragon 888 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 670 in the Pixel 3a XL. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience on the Axon 30 Pro. The Pixel 3a XL is still capable for everyday tasks, but it will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Pixel 3a XL holds a significant advantage here. Its endurance rating of 98 hours is exceptional. While the Axon 30 Pro 5G's 55W charging is faster, the Pixel 3a XL's battery capacity and efficiency likely result in longer overall usage time. The Axon 30 Pro's power-hungry chipset may impact battery life.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G is ideal for users who demand high performance, a great camera, and 5G connectivity. It's perfect for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants a flagship-like experience without the flagship price. The Google Pixel 3a XL is a great choice for those prioritizing battery life, a clean and simple Android experience, and excellent software support, especially if budget is a primary concern.