ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vs. vivo X70 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Flagships

Both the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G and the vivo X70 Pro+ represent compelling flagship options, particularly as their prices have adjusted since initial release. While both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 family, key differences in chipset iteration, camera systems, and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X70 Pro+ emerges as the superior choice. The Snapdragon 888+ offers a slight performance edge, coupled with a more versatile camera system and the convenience of 50W wireless charging. However, the Axon 30 Pro remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing value.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vivo X70 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, April 152021, September 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2021, September 17
Body
Dimensions163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)164.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)209 g / 213 g (7.37 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, MyOS 11Android 11, Funtouch OS 12 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF, gimbal OIS
Single16 MP, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Battery
Charging55W wired, QC455W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, PinkBlack, Blue, Orange
ModelsA2022V2145A, V2114
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 720 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 837833 (v9) GeekBench: 3469 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Fast 55W wired charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Less advanced camera system (based on available data)

vivo X70 Pro+

  • Snapdragon 888+ for slightly improved performance
  • 50W wireless charging and reverse charging
  • Likely superior camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • Snapdragon 888+ can still experience throttling

Display Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for either device. However, given the vivo X70 Pro+'s positioning, it likely features a higher-quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and peak brightness. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim for the vivo suggests a strong OLED implementation. The ZTE Axon 30 Pro, while likely also OLED, may prioritize cost savings in this area. Without specific nit ratings or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the X70 Pro+ likely offers a more visually immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

The vivo X70 Pro+ clearly distinguishes itself with a more comprehensive camera system, though specific details are missing. The absence of sensor size or aperture information for either device hinders a precise comparison. However, vivo’s reputation for camera innovation suggests a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensors. The Axon 30 Pro likely offers a capable camera experience, but the X70 Pro+ is positioned as a photography-focused flagship. The lack of detail on the Axon 30 Pro’s camera makes it difficult to assess its capabilities beyond basic expectations for a flagship.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, but the vivo X70 Pro+ boasts the Snapdragon 888+, a slightly refined version clocked at 3.0 GHz versus the Axon 30 Pro’s 2.84 GHz. This 160 MHz clock speed increase, while not massive, translates to marginally faster processing speeds, particularly in sustained workloads. Both devices feature the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55). The X70 Pro+’s advantage is likely more noticeable in demanding games and applications. Both will benefit from LPDDR5 RAM, though the specific speed isn't provided. Thermal management will be crucial; the 888 series is known to throttle under prolonged stress, and the X70 Pro+'s slightly more efficient chip *may* mitigate this, but real-world testing is needed.

Battery Life

Both devices support 55W wired charging, offering comparable charging speeds – likely achieving a full charge in under an hour. However, the vivo X70 Pro+ adds 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless/wired charging capabilities, providing significant convenience. The X70 Pro+ also boasts an endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting optimized power management. While the Axon 30 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the X70 Pro+'s endurance rating indicates a more efficient overall power consumption profile, despite the added features.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G if you need a high-performance phone at a significantly lower price point and aren't heavily reliant on wireless charging or an exceptionally advanced camera system. Buy the vivo X70 Pro+ if you prioritize camera versatility, faster wireless charging, and a slightly more refined overall experience, even at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, potentially leading to performance throttling. While the Axon 30 Pro 5G likely incorporates cooling solutions, it may not be as effective as those found in more expensive devices like the X70 Pro+. Expect some performance degradation during prolonged gaming, but it should still provide a playable experience.
❓ How does the 50W wireless charging on the vivo X70 Pro+ compare to the 55W wired charging on both phones in terms of actual charging time?
While 55W wired charging is faster than 50W wireless, the convenience of wireless charging is a significant benefit. Expect a full charge with 55W wired charging to take around 35-45 minutes. 50W wireless charging on the X70 Pro+ will likely take around 60-75 minutes, but eliminates the need for cables.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature on the vivo X70 Pro+ useful for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
Yes, the 5W reverse wireless charging is a convenient feature for topping up smaller accessories. While it's not a fast charging solution, it's ideal for providing a small boost to earbuds, smartwatches, or other low-power devices when a wired connection isn't available.