The Xiaomi Pocophone F1 was a budget flagship that shook the market. Now, the ZTE Axon 30S arrives with a more modern chipset and features. But does it justify the price difference? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon 30S boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset and faster charging, offering a smoother experience. However, the Pocophone F1's incredible battery life and excellent sunlight display contrast remain impressive, especially considering its age and price. The Axon 30S is the clear performance winner, but the F1 offers exceptional value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 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, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 26 | 2018, August 22. Released 2018, August 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 155.5 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.12 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2246 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.18 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| 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, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, PD, QC4 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite Black, Steel Blue, Rosso Red, Armored Edition with Kevlar |
| Models | A2322 | M1805E10A, POCO F1 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal), 3.059 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 86dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 265314 (v7)
GeekBench: 9003 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Axon 30S
- Faster Snapdragon 870 Chipset
- Faster 55W Charging
- Likely better display quality (AMOLED)
- More modern design
- Battery life potentially shorter than F1
- Camera details limited
- Potentially higher price
Xiaomi Pocophone F1
- Exceptional Battery Life (94h endurance)
- Excellent Sunlight Display Readability
- Very Affordable
- Proven Reliability
- Older Snapdragon 845 Chipset
- Slower 18W Charging
- Less modern design
- Camera quality dated
Display Comparison
The Pocophone F1 features a 6.18-inch LCD display with a 1468:1 contrast ratio and impressive 3.059 sunlight readability. While the Axon 30S likely has a more modern AMOLED display (assumed, not explicitly stated), the F1's outdoor visibility is a standout feature. Color accuracy and vibrancy are likely better on the Axon 30S, but the F1 holds its own in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Axon 30S is expected to have a more advanced camera system. The Pocophone F1's camera was decent for its time, but the Axon 30S likely benefits from newer sensor technology and image processing algorithms. Details on the Axon 30S camera are limited, but a modern flagship typically offers superior image quality.
Performance
This is where the Axon 30S truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 845 in the Pocophone F1. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Axon 30S. The 7nm process of the 870 also contributes to better power efficiency despite the increased performance.
Battery Life
The Pocophone F1's endurance rating of 94 hours is remarkable. While the Axon 30S has a smaller battery (assumed), the Snapdragon 870's efficiency might partially offset this. However, the F1's battery life remains a significant advantage, especially for heavy users.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Axon 30S? Users prioritizing performance, faster charging, and a more modern design. Who should buy the Xiaomi Pocophone F1? Budget-conscious buyers seeking incredible battery life and a bright, readable display, willing to compromise on raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Axon 30S worth the extra money over the Pocophone F1?
If performance and faster charging are your priorities, the Axon 30S is worth the upgrade. However, if battery life and affordability are paramount, the Pocophone F1 remains an excellent choice.
❓ What kind of display does the ZTE Axon 30S have?
While not explicitly stated, it's highly likely the ZTE Axon 30S features an AMOLED display, offering better colors and contrast compared to the Pocophone F1's LCD.
