ZTE S30 Pro vs vivo X60 Pro+: Which Snapdragon Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The ZTE S30 Pro and vivo X60 Pro+ represent interesting points in the flagship smartphone landscape. The S30 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 768G, aimed to deliver a premium experience at a more accessible price point. Conversely, the X60 Pro+ packed the top-tier Snapdragon 888, targeting uncompromising performance and camera capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value and user experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and raw processing power, the vivo X60 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset and superior camera system justify the price premium. However, the ZTE S30 Pro offers a compelling balance of performance and affordability, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE S30 Pro vivo X60 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2021, March 312021, January 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 03Available. Released 2021, January 30
Body
Build-Glass front, eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.5 x 75.2 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)158.6 x 73.4 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight183 g (6.46 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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
ChipsetQualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, MyOS 11Android 11, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.1, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, gimbal OIS, PDAF
Single44 MP-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single44 MP32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired55W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4200 mAh4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Pink/BlueOrange, Emperor Blue
ModelsA2122HV2056A, V2047
PriceAbout 390 EURAbout 800 EUR
SAR-0.80 W/kg (head)     0.47 W/kg (body)

ZTE S30 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Competent Snapdragon 768G performance for everyday tasks
  • 55W fast charging

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 888
  • Likely inferior camera performance
  • Missing detailed display specifications

vivo X60 Pro+

  • Flagship Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Superior camera system with advanced ISP
  • Brighter and potentially higher-quality display

  • Higher price tag
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Larger file sizes for photos and videos

Display Comparison

The vivo X60 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 816 nits measured, compared to an unspecified brightness for the ZTE S30 Pro. While the S30 Pro’s display specs are missing, the X60 Pro+'s high peak brightness ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight. The X60 Pro+ likely utilizes a higher-quality panel, potentially with a higher refresh rate, contributing to a more fluid visual experience. The absence of detailed display information for the S30 Pro suggests it may be a cost-saving measure, potentially impacting color accuracy and outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The vivo X60 Pro+ is positioned as a camera-centric device, though specific sensor details are missing. The Snapdragon 888’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more advanced than the ISP found in the Snapdragon 768G, enabling superior image processing capabilities. The X60 Pro+ likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated optical image stabilization (OIS) system, resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. The S30 Pro’s camera system, while capable, will likely fall short in dynamic range and detail compared to the X60 Pro+.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the ZTE S30 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 768G (7nm), while the vivo X60 Pro+ features the Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 5nm process node of the 888 offers superior transistor density and thermal efficiency compared to the 7nm 768G. This translates to higher sustained performance and less throttling under heavy loads. The X60 Pro+'s CPU, with its Cortex-X1 prime core, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Kryo 475 Prime in the S30 Pro. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and clock speeds favor the X60 Pro+ in demanding tasks like video editing and high-end gaming.

Battery Life

The vivo X60 Pro+ achieved an endurance rating of 91 hours, indicating excellent battery life. Both devices support 55W wired charging, promising rapid replenishment. However, the more efficient Snapdragon 888 in the X60 Pro+ combined with its larger battery (implied by the endurance rating) likely results in faster overall charging times and longer usage between charges. The S30 Pro, while offering 55W charging, may require more frequent top-ups due to the less efficient chipset and potentially smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE S30 Pro if you need a smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value affordability above all else. It’s a strong contender for users who don’t demand the absolute best in mobile processing. Buy the vivo X60 Pro+ if you prioritize top-tier performance for demanding games and applications, and require a versatile and high-quality camera system for photography and videography. It’s the choice for power users and content creators.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the vivo X60 Pro+ experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than previous generations. While the vivo X60 Pro+ incorporates cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings can lead to some throttling. However, the X60 Pro+'s superior performance headroom means it will likely maintain higher frame rates for longer before throttling becomes noticeable compared to the ZTE S30 Pro.
❓ Is the camera on the ZTE S30 Pro sufficient for casual photography and social media sharing?
The ZTE S30 Pro’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography in good lighting conditions. However, it will struggle in low-light scenarios and lack the dynamic range and detail capture capabilities of the vivo X60 Pro+. If photography is a priority, the X60 Pro+ is the better choice.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the ZTE S30 Pro?
The Snapdragon 768G in the ZTE S30 Pro is capable of running most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. However, it may struggle with the most demanding titles at maximum settings, and frame rates may be less consistent compared to the Snapdragon 888-powered vivo X60 Pro+.