ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Flagships

The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro represent a fascinating intersection of flagship ambition and value. Both devices launched with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, but diverge significantly in their approach to charging technology and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the most compelling package in today’s market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its significantly faster wired *and* wireless charging, coupled with reverse wireless charging capabilities, provides a tangible advantage in daily usability. While the Axon 30 Pro offers a competitive experience, the Mi 11 Pro’s charging ecosystem is a clear differentiator.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
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 - China
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 152021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2021, April 02
Body
Dimensions163.6 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, MyOS 11Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, LED 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 lens-
Single16 MP, (wide)20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple-50 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.12", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, 120mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 123˚ (ultrawide)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired, QC467W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 36 min 67W wireless, 100% in 39 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, PinkBlack, Green, Purple
ModelsA2022M2102K1AC
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 370 EUR

ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G

  • Competitive price point
  • Snapdragon 888 performance
  • QC4 fast charging support

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mi 11 Pro
  • No wireless charging
  • Limited information on display and camera specs

Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro

  • Industry-leading 67W wired and wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging capability
  • Likely superior camera system (based on brand reputation)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Snapdragon 888 can run warm under sustained load
  • Software experience may be more feature-rich but also more bloated

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize AMOLED panels, but detailed display specs beyond the chipset are unavailable. However, given Xiaomi’s history with high-end displays, the Mi 11 Pro likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a more refined color calibration. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a standard 120Hz refresh rate, impacting battery efficiency compared to adaptive refresh rate displays. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, reflecting flagship design trends.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable beyond the chipset. However, Xiaomi typically prioritizes camera performance in its 'Pro' models. The Mi 11 Pro likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely offer capable camera systems, the Mi 11 Pro’s reputation suggests a more versatile and higher-quality photographic experience, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS and lens apertures prevents a more granular comparison.

Performance

Both the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Performance will be largely identical in CPU-bound tasks. Thermal management, however, is a potential differentiator. Xiaomi’s larger chassis in the Mi 11 Pro may provide a slight advantage in dissipating heat during sustained workloads, potentially mitigating throttling compared to the Axon 30 Pro. Both likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed (e.g., LPDDR5X) is unknown.

Battery Life

The battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging capabilities are a major point of divergence. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro boasts 67W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 36 minutes, alongside 67W wireless charging (39 minutes) and 10W reverse wireless charging. The ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G offers 55W wired charging with QC4 support. While 55W is respectable, it’s significantly slower than the Mi 11 Pro’s 67W wired and wireless options. The Mi 11 Pro’s wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities are features absent on the Axon 30 Pro, offering substantial convenience for users invested in the wireless charging ecosystem.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G if you prioritize a more streamlined software experience and are less reliant on extremely fast charging. It’s a solid performer for the price. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds – both wired and wireless – and appreciate the added convenience of reverse wireless charging. It’s ideal for power users and those who frequently share battery life with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in either phone exhibit significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones likely employ thermal management solutions, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s larger chassis may offer slightly better heat dissipation, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming compared to the ZTE Axon 30 Pro.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the ZTE Axon 30 Pro a dealbreaker for users accustomed to this feature?
For users heavily invested in wireless charging or who frequently utilize wireless charging pads, the absence of this feature on the Axon 30 Pro is a significant drawback. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s 67W wireless charging offers a compelling alternative, reducing reliance on cables.
❓ How does the 67W wireless charging on the Mi 11 Pro compare to traditional wired charging?
While 67W wireless charging is incredibly fast, it's still generally slower than 67W wired charging. However, the convenience of simply placing the phone on a charging pad often outweighs the slight speed difference for many users. The Mi 11 Pro's wireless charging is competitive with many phones' wired charging speeds.