ZTE nubia Z30 Pro vs OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Value

The ZTE nubia Z30 Pro and OnePlus 10 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The nubia prioritizes raw speed and charging capabilities, while the OnePlus 10 Pro aims for a more holistic package with a refined display and camera system. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for different user needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing ultimate charging speed and a no-compromise approach to performance, the ZTE nubia Z30 Pro is the clear winner. Its 120W charging fully replenishes the battery in just 15 minutes. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a more balanced experience with a brighter display and potentially more consistent performance due to its newer chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z30 Pro OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, May 202022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 25Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.8 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, nubia UI 9Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/1.9, 35mm (standard), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 123mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm-
Single16 MP32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Black/GoldVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
ModelsNX667JNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 640 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (15 minutes to full)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • No wireless charging
  • Limited camera details available

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter display with infinite contrast
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera system

  • Slower 80W wired charging (International) / 65W (NA)
  • Higher price point
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 780 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the nubia Z30 Pro. While both likely utilize high-refresh-rate panels, the OnePlus’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The OnePlus’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of PWM frequency data for the nubia Z30 Pro raises potential concerns for users sensitive to screen flicker, a detail often addressed in OnePlus displays.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information beyond 'Photo / Video' is lacking for both. The OnePlus 10 Pro benefits from Hasselblad’s color calibration, aiming for more natural and accurate image reproduction. The absence of detailed camera specs on the nubia Z30 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult, but its focus on speed suggests a potential emphasis on computational photography for quick image processing. The OnePlus’s inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a likely advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

The OnePlus 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) chipset represents a significant architectural leap over the nubia Z30 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The Gen 1 features the newer Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Z30 Pro’s 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1. Furthermore, the Gen 1 utilizes the more efficient Cortex-A710 cores, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. While both phones utilize 8GB or 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus likely benefits from faster LPDDR5X memory, further enhancing responsiveness. The nubia Z30 Pro, however, may still offer competitive performance in bursty workloads due to its powerful CPU.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 107 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the charging experience is drastically different. The nubia Z30 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 15 minutes. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s 80W wired charging (International) takes 32 minutes, while the North American version is even slower at 58% in 15 minutes. The OnePlus also offers 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the nubia Z30 Pro. This makes the OnePlus more versatile for users who prefer wireless convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z30 Pro if you need the absolute fastest charging available, frequently engage in demanding tasks like gaming, and value raw processing power. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you prefer a more refined user experience, prioritize display quality, and appreciate a more balanced camera system with Hasselblad tuning. The OnePlus also offers wireless charging, a feature absent on the nubia.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the OnePlus 10 Pro suffer from overheating issues?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to run hot under sustained load. OnePlus has implemented cooling solutions, but some throttling may occur during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. The nubia Z30 Pro's Snapdragon 888, while older, may exhibit more consistent performance due to its lower thermal output.
❓ How does the 120W charging of the nubia Z30 Pro affect battery health over time?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, concerns about long-term battery degradation are valid. ZTE likely employs charging algorithms to mitigate this, but it's a factor to consider. The OnePlus 10 Pro's slower charging speeds may contribute to a longer battery lifespan.
❓ Is the lack of a telephoto lens on either phone a significant drawback?
The absence of a dedicated telephoto lens limits optical zoom capabilities on both devices. Users who frequently take zoomed-in photos may find this limiting, relying instead on digital zoom which reduces image quality.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from ZTE and OnePlus?
OnePlus generally provides more consistent and timely software updates compared to ZTE. OnePlus typically offers 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security patches, while ZTE's update schedule is less predictable.