ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a slightly brighter display, the OnePlus 9 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 65W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities significantly outperform the Axon 30 Pro 5G's 55W wired charging. However, the Axon 30 Pro 5G remains a compelling option for those seeking a capable flagship at a potentially lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| 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) / 1800 / 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 15 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, MyOS 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, QC4 | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | A2022 | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Snapdragon 888 performance
- 55W fast charging
- Limited display information
- Slower charging than OnePlus 9 Pro
- Less established brand reputation
OnePlus 9 Pro
- 65W wired and 50W wireless charging
- 859 nits peak display brightness
- Hasselblad-tuned camera
- Higher price point
- Snapdragon 888 can run warm under sustained load
- OxygenOS changes may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 859 nits, suggesting a more visible screen in direct sunlight compared to the Axon 30 Pro 5G (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for outdoor use. The absence of detailed display specs for the Axon 30 Pro 5G makes a precise comparison of color accuracy and panel technology difficult, but OnePlus’s history suggests a focus on color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both are described as having Photo/Video capabilities. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s collaboration with Hasselblad suggests a focus on color science and image processing, potentially offering a distinct photographic style. Without specific details on sensor sizes, apertures, and OIS implementation for the Axon 30 Pro 5G, it’s difficult to assess its camera performance relative to the OnePlus 9 Pro. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality.
Performance
Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration identical in core count and clock speeds (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Therefore, raw processing power will be nearly indistinguishable. Performance differences will likely stem from thermal management and RAM optimization, areas where OnePlus has historically excelled. The lack of RAM specifications for the Axon 30 Pro 5G prevents a full assessment, but both phones should handle demanding tasks and gaming with ease.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9 Pro has an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating solid battery life. Crucially, it supports 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 29 minutes, and 50W wireless charging (43 minutes to full). The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G offers 55W wired charging with QC4 support, which is faster than many competitors but slower than the OnePlus 9 Pro. The absence of battery capacity and wireless charging details for the Axon 30 Pro 5G makes a direct comparison challenging, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s charging speed is a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G if you need a powerful Snapdragon 888 phone and are comfortable with slightly slower charging speeds, potentially saving money in the process. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging – both wired and wireless – and appreciate a display with higher peak brightness, alongside the established OnePlus software experience.