The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. Today, we pit a flagship from a few years ago, the ZTE nubia Z17s, against the budget-friendly Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone offers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z17s boasts significantly superior performance thanks to its Snapdragon 835 chipset and faster charging. However, the Redmi 10C offers a more modern design, potentially better software support, and a lower price point. The Z17s wins on power, but the 10C excels in value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, China | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20 - Europe | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, October. Released 2017, October | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 147.5 x 72.7 x 8.5 mm (5.81 x 2.86 x 0.33 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2040 pixels, 17:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.73 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), nubia UI 5.1 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF
23 MP, f/2.0, AF, 2x lossless zoom | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2
5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 26W wired, QC4, 50% in 25 min | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Black Gold | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | NX595J | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 360 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia Z17s
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 835)
- Vibrant AMOLED Display
- Fast Charging (26W)
- Premium Build Quality
- Older Device (Limited Software Updates)
- Smaller Battery Capacity
- Potentially Higher Price on the Used Market
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Larger Battery Capacity (5000mAh)
- Modern Design
- Lower Price
- Decent Camera (50MP)
- Lower Performance (Snapdragon 680)
- HD+ Display (Lower Resolution)
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Plastic Build
Display Comparison
The nubia Z17s features a 5.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Redmi 10C has a 6.71-inch HD+ IPS LCD display. While the Redmi 10C offers a larger screen, the Z17s' AMOLED panel provides a noticeably better viewing experience with superior contrast and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Z17s has a dual 12MP rear camera setup, known for its good image quality and low-light performance. The Redmi 10C features a 50MP main camera. While the megapixel count is higher on the Redmi 10C, the Z17s' image processing and overall camera system are generally considered superior, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer decent selfie cameras.
Performance
Here's where the nubia Z17s truly shines. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Z17s. The Redmi 10C is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The nubia Z17s has a 3800mAh battery with 26W fast charging (50% in 25 minutes). The Redmi 10C has a 5000mAh battery with 18W charging. The Redmi 10C offers longer battery life on a single charge, but the Z17s charges significantly faster.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Z17s is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a premium feel, willing to accept an older device. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is perfect for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable daily driver with a modern design and decent features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the nubia Z17s still worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize performance and don't mind an older device, the Z17s can still be a good option, especially if you find it at a low price. However, be aware of limited software updates.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh) and generally offers better battery life than the nubia Z17s (3800mAh).
