Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 10 Pro and the ZTE Blade V60 Design. As a tech journalist, my goal is to cut through the marketing jargon and get to what really matters: how these phones perform in your hands.
Specifications Breakdown
First, let’s lay out the key technical specs in a way that highlights their practical implications.
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-13 | 2024-06-01 | The ZTE is much newer (2024 release) |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional phones; no foldable design |
| Dimensions | 163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 164.2 x 75.3 x 8.6 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and wider; both have the same thickness. |
| Weight | 201g | 198g | Both are in the same weight range; practically identical in hand |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | OnePlus has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive view. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 720x1612 | OnePlus offers a significantly sharper display with much higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 525 | 267 | OnePlus screen will look noticeably sharper; less pixelation will be noticeable |
| Technology | IPS LCD | ZTE has an IPS LCD screen that provides good color accuracy. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus offers a smoother experience, especially in gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus has much higher brightness for excellent outdoor visibility. ZTE lacks the specification. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | OnePlus has a much more powerful chip, resulting in faster speeds and better efficiency |
| AnTuTu Score | 900,491 | 240,000 | OnePlus offers significantly better performance for heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus has a much more powerful graphics processor for better gaming. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life in general usage |
| Charging | 80W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | OnePlus charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | Reverse charging, 50W wireless, Reverse wireless | Non-removable | OnePlus offers more wireless charging options, making it more convenient. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.8, Sony IMX789 | 50MP f/1.8 | ZTE has a higher megapixel main sensor. OnePlus main sensor has additional specifications. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.0, Sony IMX615 | 8MP | OnePlus takes much higher-resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP f/2.4 | None | OnePlus has a dedicated zoom lens. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | None | OnePlus offers more versatility with a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP f/2.4 | ZTE has a dedicated depth sensor, which may help with better portrait mode. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus offers vastly superior video recording capabilities (8K) with HDR and EIS. |
| DXOMark | Main: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 119 | N/A | OnePlus has a validated camera performance, ZTE is untested by DXOMark |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW 12-bit | Digital Zoom, Autofocus, HDR | OnePlus has more advanced camera features, including 8K, optical zoom and OIS. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | ZTE is using a newer version of Android out of the box. OnePlus can upgrade to 14 |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus has a newer WiFi standard for faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE | OnePlus has a newer Bluetooth standard with more codec support. |
| GPS | L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a, B2 | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus has a more precise location tracking with dual-frequency GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both are capable of using two SIMs at the same time |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 256GB | OnePlus offers more storage configurations for more flexibility. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB | OnePlus offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not offer expandable storage options. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation | DTS / DTS X | OnePlus has an immersive audio with enhanced noise cancellation for better calls |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | ZTE offers a more modern side fingerprint sensor; Both provide basic biometric security. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | OnePlus has a higher-grade screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, RGB | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | OnePlus has more advanced sensors for advanced features including RGB |
Key Insights
OnePlus 10 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers significantly higher performance than the Unisoc T606 in the ZTE, making the OnePlus better for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Exceptional Display: The OnePlus’s higher-resolution, higher refresh rate, and brighter display is noticeably superior, providing a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Professional-Grade Camera System: The OnePlus 10 Pro offers a more versatile camera system with an additional telephoto and wide-angle lens, along with advanced video recording capabilities (8K and 4K at 120fps) and optical image stabilization (OIS).
- Faster Charging & Wireless Capabilities: The 80W fast charging is a significant advantage, as is the support for both wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Enhanced Connectivity: The OnePlus offers the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, providing faster and more reliable connections.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Strengths:
- Newer Release: The ZTE Blade V60 Design is a newer phone, giving it the advantage of having newer hardware.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More advanced then the basic fingerprint sensor in the OnePlus 10 Pro
- Slightly Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13 out of the box
- More Affordable: The ZTE Blade V60 Design is likely more affordable, making it a better value for budget-conscious buyers.
- Depth Sensor: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- OnePlus 10 Pro: Higher price point, may not be budget friendly for all users, does not come with a dedicated depth camera
- ZTE Blade V60 Design: Substantially lower performance, poorer display, weaker camera, and lacks advanced features seen in the OnePlus.
User Profiles and Recommendations
OnePlus 10 Pro: Ideal for power users, mobile gamers, content creators, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and high-quality features. Great for:
- Gaming
- Mobile photography
- Content creation
- Heavy multitasking
ZTE Blade V60 Design: Best for users who prioritize affordability and a newer operating system, and are less concerned with cutting-edge performance. It’s a good fit for:
- Casual smartphone users
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Users who need a basic smartphone
- Users looking for a newer operating system
Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these three questions:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily browsing, etc.).
- How important is top-tier performance and camera quality to me?
- What's my budget?
Based on your answers:
- If you're a gamer or a content creator, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s robust performance, higher-quality display, and versatile camera are worth the investment.
- If you're a casual user who values affordability, the ZTE Blade V60 Design is a more budget-friendly choice, as long as you understand its limitations.
- If you’re looking for the best value for money and performance is paramount, the OnePlus is the clear winner, but keep in mind the higher price point. If your budget is extremely tight and you don't need the absolute best performance, the ZTE may suit you better.
My Choice
If I were making the choice for myself, I would go with the OnePlus 10 Pro, even though it's the older phone in this comparison. The gap in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is too significant for me to overlook. I need the power for multitasking and mobile gaming, and as a tech journalist, I highly value a good camera system for capturing content. Plus, the higher refresh rate screen is just smoother, which I find better to use every day. I'm a power user who will take advantage of the OnePlus' advanced features, and in my view, those benefits justify the higher price tag.
