ZTE Axon 30S vs Google Pixel 6a: A Head-to-Head Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 6a wins overall thanks to its superior camera, clean software experience, and guaranteed updates. However, the Axon 30S offers significantly faster charging and a more powerful chipset for gaming, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing performance and value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 30S | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 26 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, PD, QC4 | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | A2322 | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 250 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
ZTE Axon 30S
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- 55W fast charging
- Competitive price
- Good display
- Camera not as good as Pixel 6a
- Software support may be limited
- Design less premium
Google Pixel 6a
- Excellent camera with Google's computational photography
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Bright and vibrant display
- Compact size
- Slower charging speed
- Google Tensor chip not as powerful for gaming
- Less RAM than Axon 30S
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6a boasts a measured peak brightness of 876 nits, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Axon 30S display is good, it lacks the same level of brightness. The Pixel 6a's infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deep blacks and vibrant colors, though real-world performance can vary. Both phones offer FHD+ resolution, ensuring sharp visuals.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Pixel 6a truly shines. Google's computational photography is renowned, and the 6a delivers stunning images with excellent dynamic range and detail. The Axon 30S has a capable camera system, but it doesn't match the Pixel's image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 6a also benefits from Google's image processing algorithms.
Performance
The ZTE Axon 30S packs a Snapdragon 870, a flagship-level chipset that delivers exceptional performance for gaming and demanding tasks. The Pixel 6a's Google Tensor chip is capable, but not as powerful for raw processing speed. However, the Tensor excels in AI-powered features and machine learning tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with an endurance rating of 94 hours. However, the Axon 30S's 55W wired charging is significantly faster than the Pixel 6a's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 30S is ideal for gamers and power users who want a fast processor and quick charging without breaking the bank. The Google Pixel 6a is perfect for photography enthusiasts and those who value a smooth, bloatware-free Android experience with timely updates.