ZTE Axon 30S vs Axon 30 5G: A Head-to-Head Comparison

ZTE's Axon series has consistently offered compelling value in the mid-range smartphone market. The Axon 30 and Axon 30S are two strong contenders, both packing the Snapdragon 870 chipset. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The ZTE Axon 30S edges out the Axon 30 5G thanks to its faster charging and potentially improved software experience. While both offer excellent performance, the Axon 30S's 55W charging is a noticeable upgrade over the Axon 30's 65W, and the 'S' variant often receives quicker updates. Both are great value for money.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Axon 30S	ZTE Axon 30 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 18, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Europe
5G bands	1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China

Launch
Announced	2022, September 26	2021, July 27
Status	Available. Released 2022, September 26	Available. Released 2021, August 03

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)	170.2 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.70 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	189 g (6.67 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density)	1080 x 2460 pixels (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.92 inches, 107.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 650
OS	Android 12, MyOS 12	Android 11, MyOS 11

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
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	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	-	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), under display
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.0, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	55W wired, PD, QC4	65W wired, PD, QC4
Type	Li-Ion 4200 mAh	Li-Ion 4200 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue	Black, Aqua
Models	A2322	A2322, A2322G
Price	About 250 EUR	About 500 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 86h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 701991 (v9) GeekBench: 3160 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Axon 30S

Faster Charging (55W)
Potentially quicker software updates
Similar performance to Axon 30 5G

Battery life may be slightly less than Axon 30 5G
Camera improvements are unconfirmed

ZTE Axon 30 5G

Excellent Battery Life (86h endurance rating)
Slightly lower price (potentially)
Good camera performance

Slower charging (65W)
Potentially slower software updates

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar displays, likely AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Axon 30 5G boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, which is a nominal marketing term, but suggests deep blacks. The Axon 30S has a measured max brightness of 438 nits, which is respectable but not exceptional. Expect vibrant colors and smooth scrolling on both.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed, but both phones are expected to offer a versatile triple-camera setup. The Axon 30 5G's camera is known for its good image quality in various lighting conditions. The Axon 30S may have slight improvements in image processing or sensor technology, but a direct comparison would require detailed testing.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 870, both devices offer flagship-level performance. You'll experience smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless navigation. Differences in real-world performance are likely to be minimal and depend more on software optimization than the chipset itself.

Battery Life

The Axon 30 5G boasts an impressive endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Axon 30S, while not explicitly stated, is expected to offer comparable battery performance, though the faster charging might slightly impact overall longevity.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Axon 30S is ideal for users who prioritize faster charging speeds and potentially more timely software updates. The ZTE Axon 30 5G is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, high-performing phone with excellent battery life and a slightly lower price point (if available at a discount).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 chipset still good in 2024?

Yes, the Snapdragon 870 remains a very capable chipset, offering excellent performance for everyday tasks and even demanding games. It's a flagship-level processor that still holds up well.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

Historically, ZTE's software support has been inconsistent. However, the Axon 30S is often prioritized for updates compared to the Axon 30 5G, but it's still not guaranteed to receive timely Android version upgrades.