ZTE S30 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth daily experience and fast charging, the OnePlus 9 Pro remains a compelling choice, leveraging its superior chipset and wireless charging capabilities. However, the ZTE S30 Pro offers excellent value, delivering a capable experience at a significantly lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE S30 Pro | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 31 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 03 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 75.2 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, MyOS 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 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 (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) |
| Single | 44 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink/Blue | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | A2122H | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
ZTE S30 Pro
- Excellent value for money
- Fast 55W wired charging
- Capable Snapdragon 768G processor
- Lacks wireless charging
- Potentially inferior camera performance
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast 65W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Higher price point
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 859 nits. While the ZTE S30 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. The OnePlus 9 Pro likely utilizes LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature absent in the ZTE S30 Pro based on its market positioning. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the OnePlus 9 Pro, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details are limited for the ZTE S30 Pro. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system, while not detailed in the provided data, is known for its Hasselblad color calibration and versatile photo/video capabilities. The Snapdragon 888’s image signal processor (ISP) offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the 768G’s ISP. The OnePlus 9 Pro likely features a larger main sensor and more advanced optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in better low-light performance and smoother videos. We can assume the ZTE S30 Pro will have a more basic camera setup focused on everyday photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) versus the ZTE S30 Pro’s Snapdragon 768G (7nm). The 888, with its Cortex-X1 prime core, offers a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and a more powerful GPU. The 5nm process node of the 888 also provides better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While the 768G is a capable chip, it’s designed for efficiency rather than raw power. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s LPDDR5 RAM further enhances performance, while the ZTE S30 Pro likely uses LPDDR4X, resulting in slower memory speeds.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 86 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not provided for the ZTE S30 Pro). However, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster charging: 65W wired (0-100% in 29 minutes), 50W wireless (0-100% in 43 minutes), and 5W reverse wireless. The ZTE S30 Pro’s 55W wired charging is fast, but lacks the convenience of wireless charging options. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s charging speed provides a substantial advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE S30 Pro if you need a reliable daily driver with 5G connectivity and fast wired charging on a budget. It’s ideal for users who prioritize value and don’t demand the absolute highest performance for demanding tasks. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prefer a more premium experience with a brighter display, faster wireless charging, and the headroom for intensive gaming and video editing, and are willing to pay a premium for those features.