The smartphone market is brimming with options, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting the ZTE Axon 30S, a more modern device, against the Honor Note 10, a phone with a legacy. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon 30S is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset, faster charging, and likely improved camera capabilities. While the Honor Note 10 offers a large display and a more established brand reputation, the Axon 30S provides a superior overall experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 26 | 2018, July. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 177 x 85 x 7.7 mm (6.97 x 3.35 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~355 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 122.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 970 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
24 MP B/W, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, PD, QC4 | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Blue |
| Models | A2322 | RVL-AL09, rv |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 400 EUR |
ZTE Axon 30S
- Significantly faster performance
- 55W fast charging
- Modern Android experience
- Likely better camera quality
- 5G Connectivity
- Potentially less battery capacity than Honor Note 10
- Brand recognition may be lower than Honor
Honor Note 10
- Large display
- Potentially longer battery life
- Established brand reputation (though diminishing)
- Outdated chipset
- 22.5W slow charging
- Lower performance
- Likely inferior camera quality
- Limited availability
Display Comparison
The Honor Note 10 boasts a large 6.95-inch display, offering ample screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. The ZTE Axon 30S likely features a smaller, but potentially higher resolution and more vibrant display, possibly with a higher refresh rate. We'll assume the Axon 30S has a 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are missing for the Axon 30S, the Snapdragon 870 typically pairs with capable camera systems. The Honor Note 10 features a triple-camera setup, but image quality is likely to be noticeably better on the Axon 30S due to advancements in camera technology and image processing.
Performance
This is where the Axon 30S truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a powerhouse, offering significantly better CPU and GPU performance than the Kirin 970. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Axon 30S. The Kirin 970 was a flagship chip in its time, but it's now showing its age.
Battery Life
The Honor Note 10 likely has a larger battery capacity, potentially around 5000mAh. However, the Axon 30S's 55W fast charging will allow it to charge much faster, potentially offsetting any battery capacity difference. We'll assume the Axon 30S has a 4500mAh battery.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 30S is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a modern Android experience. The Honor Note 10 might appeal to budget-conscious buyers who value a large screen and don't need the latest and greatest specs, though availability may be a challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Axon 30S worth buying over a newer budget phone?
The Axon 30S offers flagship-level performance at a mid-range price. It's a great value if you want a fast phone without breaking the bank, but consider newer budget options with improved software and camera features.
❓ Where can I buy the Honor Note 10?
The Honor Note 10 is an older device and may be difficult to find new. You might find it on online marketplaces or from resellers, but be cautious about the condition and warranty.
