ZTE has a history of offering compelling smartphones at competitive prices. The nubia Z17s and Axon M, while both bearing the ZTE name, represent different approaches to smartphone design and functionality. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z17s is the clear winner, boasting a superior Snapdragon 835 chipset, faster charging, and generally better performance. While the Axon M's dual-screen design is unique, it doesn't compensate for the older hardware. The Z17s offers a more polished and powerful experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, China | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 2, 4, 5, 12, 29, 30, 66 |
| 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 | 2017, October. Released 2017, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| 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) | 150.9 x 71.6 x 12.2 mm (5.94 x 2.82 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2040 pixels, 17:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~426 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.73 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 73.8 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Dual IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), nubia UI 5.1 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF
23 MP, f/2.0, AF, 2x lossless zoom | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 20 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2
5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, dual speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 26W wired, QC4, 50% in 25 min | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 290 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 29 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Black Gold | Carbon Black |
| Models | NX595J | Z999 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 400 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z17s
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 835)
- Faster Charging (26W)
- Vibrant QHD+ Display
- Good Camera Quality
- Sleek Design
- May lack latest software updates
- Nubia UI can be divisive
ZTE Axon M
- Unique Dual-Screen Design
- Good for Multitasking
- Decent Camera
- Compact Size
- Older Processor (Snapdragon 821)
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Smaller Individual Screens
- Less Powerful Overall
Display Comparison
The nubia Z17s features a 5.99-inch LTPS IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (QHD+). It offers excellent color accuracy and sharpness. The Axon M has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, but its dual-screen design means the individual screens are smaller. While the AMOLED offers vibrant colors, the overall viewing experience isn't as immersive as the Z17s.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Z17s typically features a dual-camera setup (20MP + 12MP) known for its good image quality and portrait mode capabilities. The Axon M has a 20MP main camera and a 13MP front camera. While the Axon M's camera is decent, the Z17s generally produces more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low light.
Performance
The nubia Z17s' Snapdragon 835 chipset provides significantly better performance than the Axon M's Snapdragon 821. The 835's 10nm process offers improved efficiency and power. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Z17s. The Axon M can handle everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The nubia Z17s has a 3800mAh battery with 26W fast charging (QC4), allowing for a 50% charge in 25 minutes. The Axon M has a 3400mAh battery with 18W fast charging (QC3). The Z17s offers longer battery life and significantly faster charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Z17s is ideal for users prioritizing performance, a vibrant display, and fast charging. It's a great choice for gamers and power users. The ZTE Axon M is best suited for those who value a unique dual-screen experience for multitasking and media consumption, accepting compromises in performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Axon M's dual-screen design worth it?
The dual-screen design is unique and can be useful for multitasking, but it comes at the cost of performance and a less immersive single-screen experience. It's a niche feature.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The nubia Z17s, with its Snapdragon 835, offers significantly better gaming performance due to its more powerful processor and graphics.
