ZTE nubia Z20 vs OnePlus 7 Pro 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a slightly lower price point, the ZTE nubia Z20 emerges as the winner. Its 100-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses what the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G can achieve, despite the latter's faster 30W charging. However, OnePlus's software and brand recognition remain strong advantages.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Z20 | OnePlus 7 Pro 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU/Asia | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 41 NSA/Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - NA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, May 14. Released 2019, September 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 75.3 x 9 mm (6.24 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.42 inches, 101.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10, 600 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Always-on display Secondary display (on the back): AMOLED, 5.1 inches, 720 x 1520 pixels, 330 nits (typ) | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Nubia UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.4 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second soft flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, AF | 48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) |
| Video | 8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | - | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | Uses main cameras | - |
| Video | 8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Dual fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 27W wired, PD2.0 | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Twilight Blue, Diamond Black | Mirror Grey, Almond, Nebula Blue |
| Models | NX627J | GM1925 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 800 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 71dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 74dB | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 371150 (v7), 355478 (v8) GeekBench: 10101 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
ZTE nubia Z20
- Exceptional 100-hour battery endurance
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed (2.96 GHz)
- PD2.0 charging support
- Limited camera specifications
- Software experience may be less refined
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Well-established software ecosystem
- Likely superior brand recognition
- Lower battery endurance (estimated)
- Slightly slower CPU clock speed (2.84 GHz)
Display Comparison
The nubia Z20 boasts a measured peak brightness of 615 nits, a respectable figure, but the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s display specifications are not provided for direct comparison. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks typical of OLED panels. Without knowing the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s brightness, it’s difficult to definitively state which offers a superior viewing experience in direct sunlight, but the nubia Z20 provides a concrete brightness measurement.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed specifications are limited to 'Photo / Video' for the nubia Z20. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a meaningful comparison. Given the market positioning of both devices, it’s reasonable to assume both offer versatile camera setups, but the nubia Z20’s camera system remains largely undefined based on the provided data. Without further details, it's impossible to assess image quality or low-light performance.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), but with slight CPU clock speed variations. The nubia Z20’s CPU reaches 2.96 GHz, marginally faster than the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s 2.84 GHz. While this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday tasks, it *could* translate to a slight edge in sustained performance during demanding gaming sessions. Both utilize the same Kryo 485 core configuration, meaning the architectural foundation is identical. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM specifications for either device makes it difficult to assess memory bandwidth differences, but both are expected to utilize high-speed RAM for optimal performance.
Battery Life
The nubia Z20’s standout feature is its impressive 100-hour endurance rating, indicating exceptional battery life. This is coupled with 27W wired charging and PD2.0 support. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, while lacking an endurance rating, compensates with faster 30W wired charging. This means the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G can replenish its battery more quickly, but the nubia Z20 will likely last significantly longer on a single charge. The trade-off is clear: longevity versus speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Z20 if you need exceptional battery life and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. This phone is ideal for power users, travelers, or anyone who frequently finds themselves away from a charger. Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G if you prefer a refined, fast-charging experience with a well-established software ecosystem and are willing to compromise on ultimate battery endurance.