ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vs vivo iQOO Z5x: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G and the vivo iQOO Z5x. Both promise 5G connectivity and a smooth user experience, but which one truly delivers?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G boasts a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, offering superior performance. However, the iQOO Z5x provides faster charging and potentially better value depending on pricing. Ultimately, the Axon 30 Pro is for performance enthusiasts, while the Z5x caters to budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G	vivo iQOO Z5x

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) / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA 800	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2021, April 15	2021, October 20
Status	Available. Released 2021, April 26	Available. Released 2021, November 01

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)	164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	186 g (6.56 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	-
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+	IPS LCD, 120Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Mali-G68 MC4
OS	Android 11, MyOS 11	Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)
Features	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR	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	-
Single	16 MP, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	16 MP, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C, 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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	55W wired, QC4	44W wired, 70% in 38 min
Type	Li-Po 4200 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Pink	Black, Orange, Silver
Models	A2022	-
Price	About 400 EUR	About 220 EUR

ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888)
High Refresh Rate Display (120Hz)
Versatile Camera System
Under-Display Camera (Unique Feature)

Potentially Higher Price
Under-Display Camera Image Quality Can Vary
May Overheat Under Heavy Load

vivo iQOO Z5x

Faster Charging (44W)
More Affordable Price
Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
Good Battery Life

Less Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 900)
LCD Display (Less Vibrant)
Less Versatile Camera System

Display Comparison

The Axon 30 Pro typically features an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The iQOO Z5x usually has an LCD display, which is generally less vibrant but still provides a decent viewing experience. The Axon 30 Pro's under-display camera is a unique feature, though image quality can be impacted.

Camera Comparison

The Axon 30 Pro generally features a more versatile camera system, often including a high-resolution main sensor and potentially a telephoto lens. The iQOO Z5x typically has a more standard camera setup. Image quality on the Axon 30 Pro is generally superior, especially in low light, but the iQOO Z5x can still capture decent photos in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Here's where the Axon 30 Pro shines. The Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level chipset, significantly outperforming the Dimensity 900 in the iQOO Z5x. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Axon 30 Pro. The Dimensity 900 is still capable for everyday tasks, but it won't handle demanding games as well.

Battery Life

The iQOO Z5x has a slight edge in charging speed with 44W wired charging, promising a 70% charge in 38 minutes. The Axon 30 Pro offers 55W charging, but real-world charging times may vary. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two devices, so battery life will depend on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes raw performance and a high refresh rate display. The vivo iQOO Z5x is a great choice for everyday users, students, and those seeking a reliable 5G phone with fast charging at a more affordable price point.