OnePlus Ace 2 vs. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The OnePlus Ace 2 and ZTE nubia Z50S Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship smartphone space. While both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, they target slightly different priorities – the Ace 2 focusing on rapid charging and value, while the Z50S Pro emphasizes sustained performance and display quality. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and battery longevity, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset and impressive 12:29h active use battery life provide a noticeable advantage over the Ace 2, despite the latter’s faster 100W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Ace 2 ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2023, February 072023, July 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 13Available. Released 2023, July 27
Body
BuildGlass front (Asahi Glass), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front, silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.34 in)163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)228 g (8.04 oz)
Display
ProtectionAsahi Glass-
Resolution1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~452 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
OSAndroid 13, ColorOS 13Android 13, MyOS 13, no planned android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 125˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, 10-bit
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 25 min80W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Glacier Blue, RedBlack, Khaki, Silver/White
ModelsPHK110NX713J
PriceAbout 390 EURAbout 800 EUR

OnePlus Ace 2

  • Ultra-fast 100W charging
  • Potentially more affordable price
  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers strong performance

  • Likely shorter battery life than Z50S Pro
  • Less efficient chipset may lead to more throttling
  • Limited display brightness information

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro

  • Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 performance
  • Excellent 12:29h active use battery life
  • Brighter 1029 nit display

  • Slower 80W charging
  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera details are limited

Display Comparison

The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1029 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the OnePlus Ace 2. This higher brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Z50S Pro’s brightness suggests a potentially more advanced panel generation. The Ace 2’s display specifications are currently limited, making a detailed comparison of color accuracy and refresh rate difficult, but the Z50S Pro’s brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for both devices are limited. However, the nubia Z50S Pro’s marketing emphasizes its photographic capabilities, suggesting a more robust camera system. Without knowing sensor sizes, lens apertures, or image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The Ace 2’s camera is likely competent, but the Z50S Pro’s focus on photography suggests a potential advantage in image quality and features. We can assume both phones will offer a standard suite of camera modes, but the Z50S Pro may offer more advanced options.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Ace 2 utilizes the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro features the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2. This generational leap is significant. The 8+ Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.36 GHz, offers a performance uplift over the Ace 2’s 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2. Furthermore, the 8+ Gen 2’s improved architecture and 4nm process node provide better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Z50S Pro’s CPU configuration (1x3.36GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 3x2.0GHz) is optimized for both peak performance and sustained workloads, while the Ace 2’s (1x3.19GHz, 3x2.75GHz, 4x1.80GHz) leans more towards burst performance. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR5X RAM, but the chipset difference will be the dominant factor in real-world performance.

Battery Life

The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 12:29h of active use. While the OnePlus Ace 2’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W wired charging is significantly faster than the Z50S Pro’s 80W. This means the Ace 2 can fully charge in approximately 25 minutes, while the Z50S Pro will take longer. However, the Z50S Pro’s superior battery life means you may not need to charge as frequently. The trade-off is speed versus longevity; the Ace 2 prioritizes quick top-ups, while the Z50S Pro focuses on maximizing time between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Ace 2 if you need blazing-fast 100W charging and are willing to trade some sustained performance and battery life for a more affordable price point. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, smoother gaming experiences, and a brighter, more vibrant display, and are willing to spend a bit more for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2’s superior efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 in the nubia Z50S Pro get noticeably warmer than the 8+ Gen 1 in the Ace 2 during prolonged gaming?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2’s improved architecture and 4nm process node generally result in lower temperatures under sustained load. This means the Z50S Pro is less likely to experience significant performance throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Ace 2.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 20W charging speed difference (80W vs 100W) make for daily use?
While 100W charging is faster on paper, the difference in actual charging time isn't massive. The Ace 2 can reach 100% in 25 minutes, while the Z50S Pro will take longer. However, the Z50S Pro’s superior battery life means you may not need to fully charge it as often, mitigating the slower charging speed.
❓ Is the nubia Z50S Pro’s battery life impacted by using demanding features like the high brightness display?
While using the display at its maximum brightness will naturally consume more power, the Z50S Pro’s large battery capacity and efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset are designed to handle demanding usage. The 12:29h active use score suggests it can maintain excellent battery life even with the brightness cranked up.