The foldable phone market is heating up, with the ZTE nubia Flip and Honor Magic V Flip 2 representing distinct approaches. The nubia Flip aims for accessibility with a mid-range chipset, while the Magic V Flip 2 throws down the gauntlet with flagship specs and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Magic V Flip 2 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, and the 80W charging is a game-changer. While the nubia Flip offers a more affordable entry point, the Magic V Flip 2’s power and convenience justify the price premium.
| 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) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 26 | 2025, August 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 23 | Available. Released 2025, August 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Aluminum alloy frame, glass back | Aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 170 x 75.5 x 7.0 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.5 x 15 mm | Unfolded: 167.1 x 75.6 x 6.9 mm Folded: 86.2 x 75.6 x 15.5 mm |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1188 x 2790 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1232 x 2868 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 110.7 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | Foldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 4320Hz PWM, HDR, Dolby Vision, BT.2020, 5000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 120˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, ASHA |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity (ultrasonic), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4+, 50% in 18 min | 80W wired, 100% in 42 min
50W wireless
5W reverse wired
Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4310 mAh | Si/C Li-Po 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunshine Gold, Cosmic Black, Flowering Lilac | Purple, Silver, Gray, Blue |
| Models | - | CLE-AN00 |
| Price | € 249.00 / £ 299.00 | - |
ZTE nubia Flip
- More affordable price point
- Compact and portable design
- Supports fast charging standards (PD3.0, PPS, QC4+)
- Significantly less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Display brightness likely lower
Honor Magic V Flip 2
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
- Ultra-fast 80W wired charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1786 nits)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger size/weight
- May require more careful handling due to premium materials
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic V Flip 2 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1786 nits, compared to the nubia Flip’s unspecified peak brightness. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize foldable OLED panels, the Magic V Flip 2’s brightness advantage is substantial. The absence of LTPO information for the nubia Flip suggests a potentially less adaptive refresh rate, impacting battery efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar form factors, but the superior brightness of the Magic V Flip 2 is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing for the nubia Flip, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Magic V Flip 2 likely benefits from the more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, enabling superior image processing. Without knowing the nubia Flip’s sensor sizes and apertures, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The Magic V Flip 2’s image processing will likely prioritize detail and dynamic range, leveraging the chipset’s capabilities. We can assume the Magic V Flip 2 will offer more advanced computational photography features.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The nubia Flip’s Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) is a capable mid-range chip, featuring an octa-core configuration with a 2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 prime core. However, it’s dwarfed by the Honor Magic V Flip 2’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, alongside its more advanced Cortex-A720 performance cores, delivers a massive leap in CPU and GPU performance. This means smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and significantly better gaming performance on the Magic V Flip 2. The 4nm process node is shared, but the architectural improvements in the 8 Gen 3 provide superior thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic V Flip 2 excels in charging speed, supporting 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 42 minutes. It also offers 50W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The nubia Flip’s 33W wired charging, while supporting PD3.0, PPS, and QC4+, is considerably slower, taking 18 minutes to reach 50%. The Magic V Flip 2’s active use score of 12:43h demonstrates excellent battery life, likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and optimized software. While the nubia Flip’s battery capacity is unknown, the slower charging speed suggests it may require more frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Flip if you prioritize affordability and a compact form factor without demanding top-tier performance. It’s ideal for casual users who value portability over intensive gaming or demanding multitasking. Buy the Honor Magic V Flip 2 if you demand flagship-level performance, lightning-fast charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display. This is the choice for power users, content creators, and anyone who wants the best possible foldable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the nubia Flip struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a mid-range chip and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Magic V Flip 2’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will handle these games with ease at higher settings.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the Magic V Flip 2 compare to other fast-charging phones?
80W charging is exceptionally fast, placing the Magic V Flip 2 among the quickest-charging smartphones currently available. It’s significantly faster than the 33W charging on the nubia Flip and comparable to or faster than many flagship devices from other brands. This means less downtime and more time using your phone.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the nubia Flip a major concern?
Yes, the absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and OIS makes it difficult to assess the nubia Flip’s camera performance. In the foldable market, camera quality is a key differentiator, and the Magic V Flip 2’s more powerful chipset and likely superior image processing give it a significant advantage.
