Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 10 Pro and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. I'll break down these two contenders, not just by specs but by how they'll actually feel in your hands and in your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these phones stack up, with a focus on what these specs mean for you.
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm, 201g | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm, 228g | OnePlus 10 Pro is slightly more compact and noticeably lighter. The ZTE feels more substantial and slightly wider in hand. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown | OnePlus has known screen protection. ZTE's screen protection is unknown, indicating it may be less robust, but its build may be premium. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Similar sizes; ZTE's slightly larger screen gives a bit more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1260x2800 | OnePlus’s higher resolution means crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 525 | 452 | The OnePlus’s higher pixel density provides noticeably sharper visuals. |
| Technology | - | AMOLED | ZTE has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, especially when using dark mode. OnePlus' tech isn't specified but AMOLED is superior in general. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE offers better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm) | ZTE has a significantly newer and faster chip, translating to snappier apps, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 900,491 | 1,579,720 | ZTE is substantially faster, handling intensive tasks much more smoothly. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | ZTE's GPU is more capable, offering better graphics performance in games and other GPU-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (Rear) | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | ZTE captures more light with a wider aperture, OnePlus has slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4” | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4” | OnePlus 10 Pro's Telephoto, ZTE's portrait camera. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" | ZTE has slightly wider aperture, capturing more light in wide angle shots. OnePlus has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" | OnePlus takes brighter and more detailed selfies due to the larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K 24FPS; HDR, EIS | Up to 8K 30FPS; EIS | Similar video capabilities with slightly better frame rate at 8k in the ZTE. |
| DxOMark | Main Score: 122 (Photo 124/Video 119) | - | OnePlus has a tested benchmark showing good camera performance. ZTE doesn't have tested benchmarks |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5100 mAh | Both have similar capacity, should give comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 80W wired, 50W wireless | 80W wired | OnePlus charges wirelessly, which ZTE doesn't have. Both have fast wired charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgrade to 14) | Android 13 | ZTE has newer software out of the box but OnePlus may get additional feature improvements from OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7, dual-band | Wi-Fi 7, dual-band | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | ZTE has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | Many Systems (including L1+L5) | More Systems (L1 + L5, NavIC) | ZTE has broader support for precise location tracking with more systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/1024 GB | ZTE has up to 1TB of storage for massive media collections, OnePlus maxes at 512GB. Both have very fast storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | ZTE has more RAM on it's higher tier model, for superior multitasking capabilities. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus 10 Pro:
Strengths:
- Display Sharpness: Higher resolution and pixel density make for a very crisp display.
- Wireless Charging: The inclusion of 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging adds convenience.
- Camera System: Boasts an excellent main camera sensor, plus a quality telephoto, ultra-wide and selfie camera.
- Established Brand: OnePlus has a more established track record in the global market for both software and hardware.
Competitive Advantages: Superior display sharpness and wireless charging.
- Trade-offs: Uses an older generation chip and misses out on the latest and fastest storage, and is less powerful in the GPU and CPU benchmarks.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
Strengths:
- Raw Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 is a powerhouse, offering a significant boost in speed and responsiveness.
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display provides excellent contrast and color reproduction.
- Battery Life: The slightly larger battery and more efficient chip may provide a slight increase in endurance.
- Storage Capacity: Up to 1TB of storage is ideal for power users.
- Camera Capabilities: Main camera has a wider aperture, and additional portrait camera.
Competitive Advantages: Superior performance, display quality and greater storage option.
- Trade-offs: Lacks wireless charging, screen protection is unknown.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
OnePlus 10 Pro is best for:
- Users who prioritize display sharpness: If you value crisp visuals, the higher resolution and pixel density of the OnePlus will appeal to you.
- Users needing wireless charging: Those who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging will be drawn to this feature.
- Users who want the established brand experience: OnePlus has a mature software ecosystem.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is best for:
- Power users and gamers: The faster chipset is perfect for those who demand peak performance.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: The AMOLED display and high storage capacity are ideal for watching videos and storing large media collections.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The combination of a slightly larger battery and the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 may result in longer runtimes.
- Users who want an excellent camera with new tech: The ZTE also has better video recording.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
Do you prioritize performance or display sharpness? If raw power is your main focus, the ZTE is the clear winner. If you are more concerned about text quality, and images that are tack-sharp, you'll be happier with the OnePlus.
How important is wireless charging to you? If you rely on wireless charging or reverse charging often, the OnePlus is your only option here.
- How much storage do you need, and what's your budget? If you store a lot of high quality media, the ZTE with up to 1TB of internal storage might be worth it, however this will be a higher cost.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gaming Enthusiast: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro wins with its faster processor, better GPU, higher RAM and bigger storage for games, videos and other large files.
- For the Casual User: The OnePlus 10 Pro is a safe bet with a good display and software experience.
- For the Media Consumption Enthusiast: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is excellent with its AMOLED display and optional 1 TB storage, a huge step up from the OnePlus.
- For the User Who Values Convenience: The OnePlus 10 Pro is a great choice with a quality camera, wireless charging, reverse charging and a great display.
My Choice:
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would lean towards the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. The sheer performance boost from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2, combined with the vibrant AMOLED display, and significantly bigger storage makes it a more compelling package for my daily use. The lack of wireless charging is a trade-off I am willing to make for that overall performance boost, and additional camera quality improvements. The higher storage is also a huge plus.
However, I have to say that it is not a simple decision. The OnePlus, for users in the western market, is an easier sell due to the greater brand recognition and mature software. The OnePlus 10 Pro also features a very strong camera system, which has a high DXOMark score. It is also more compact and lighter, and offers wireless charging, which is a big convenience win. Ultimately, you can't really go wrong with either device.
Hopefully this breakdown helps you make a more informed decision for your new device.
