ZTE nubia Flip vs Huawei P50 Pocket: A Detailed Foldable Phone Comparison

The foldable phone market is heating up, offering increasingly compelling alternatives to traditional smartphones. The ZTE nubia Flip and Huawei P50 Pocket represent distinct approaches to this emerging form factor. The nubia Flip aims for accessibility with a mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, while the P50 Pocket leverages the older, but still potent, Snapdragon 888 4G. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which foldable delivers the best experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the ZTE nubia Flip offers a more compelling package. While the Huawei P50 Pocket boasts a slightly brighter display and comparable battery endurance, the nubia Flip’s newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 provides a more efficient and modern chipset, coupled with faster charging, all at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Flip Huawei P50 Pocket
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2024, February 262021, December 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 23Available. Released 2021, December 23
Body
BuildAluminum alloy frame, glass back-
DimensionsUnfolded: 170 x 75.5 x 7.0 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.5 x 15 mmUnfolded: 170 x 75.5 x 7.2 mm Folded: 87.3 x 75.5 x 15.2 mm
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight214 g (7.55 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Resolution1188 x 2790 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)1188 x 2790 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~442 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 110.7 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
 -Cover display: OLED, 1.04 inch, 340 x 340 pixels, 328 ppi
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 4G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 660
OSAndroid 13HarmonyOS 2.0 (China), EMUI 12 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-10.7 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Triple-40 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), AF 32 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm, AF
Video4K, 1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)10.7 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -UV illuminator
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4+, 50% in 18 min40W wired 5W reverse wired
Type4310 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSunshine Gold, Cosmic Black, Flowering LilacBlack, Gold, Silver
Models-BAL-AL00, BAL-L49
Price€ 249.00 / £ 299.00About 870 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 66h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -30.1 LUFS (Below average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 768513 (v9) GeekBench: 3077 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Flip

  • More modern and efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset
  • Faster 33W charging with advanced protocol support
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Better long-term software support

  • Display brightness likely lower than P50 Pocket
  • Camera performance potentially less refined than Huawei

Huawei P50 Pocket

  • Slightly brighter display (803 nits)
  • Huawei’s established camera processing algorithms
  • Reverse wireless charging capability
  • Potentially more premium build quality

  • Older Snapdragon 888 4G chipset with throttling concerns
  • Limited to 4G connectivity
  • Potentially higher price
  • Uncertainty regarding long-term software updates

Display Comparison

The Huawei P50 Pocket edges out the nubia Flip in peak brightness, achieving a measured 803 nits. While the nubia Flip’s brightness isn’t specified, the P50 Pocket’s higher figure translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Both devices feature foldable OLED panels with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED technology. However, the absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a less dynamically adaptive refresh rate, potentially impacting battery life during variable content viewing. The hinge mechanism and crease visibility are critical, but not specified in the provided data, requiring further hands-on evaluation.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the camera experience will likely differ significantly. The P50 Pocket, given Huawei’s history, likely prioritizes computational photography and image processing. The nubia Flip, being a more budget-oriented device, may rely more on hardware limitations. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The absence of detail regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) suggests neither phone prioritizes advanced stabilization features. Any 2MP macro cameras on either device are likely to offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

The nubia Flip’s Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the P50 Pocket’s Snapdragon 888 4G (5nm). Despite the 888’s higher clock speeds (2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 vs 2.4 GHz Cortex-A710), the 7 Gen 1’s newer CPU core design (Cortex-A710) and more efficient 4nm process offer improved sustained performance and thermal management. The Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load, a potential issue for gaming or video editing. The nubia Flip’s chipset should deliver a smoother experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, while the P50 Pocket may struggle with demanding applications over extended periods. The 4G limitation of the P50 Pocket is a major drawback for users requiring fast mobile data.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE nubia Flip and Huawei P50 Pocket share an endurance rating of 66 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, charging speeds differ significantly. The nubia Flip supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and QC4+, claiming a 50% charge in 18 minutes. The P50 Pocket offers 40W wired charging, which is faster, but also includes 5W reverse wired charging – a niche feature. The nubia Flip’s support for modern charging protocols (PD3.0, PPS, QC4+) ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers and potentially faster charging speeds with compatible adapters. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the nubia Flip also contributes to better power efficiency.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Flip if you prioritize a modern chipset for smoother daily use and future software support, alongside faster 33W charging. It’s ideal for users seeking a balance between affordability and functionality in a foldable form factor. Buy the Huawei P50 Pocket if you value a slightly brighter display and are already invested in the Huawei ecosystem, accepting the limitations of the 4G-only Snapdragon 888 and potentially higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the P50 Pocket overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load due to its thermal limitations. While Huawei likely implemented cooling solutions, expect performance degradation during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. The nubia Flip’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 4nm process, is less prone to overheating.
❓ Does the nubia Flip support 5G connectivity, and how does this compare to the P50 Pocket?
The nubia Flip utilizes the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, which inherently supports 5G connectivity. The Huawei P50 Pocket, however, is equipped with the Snapdragon 888 4G, meaning it is limited to 4G LTE networks. This is a significant disadvantage for users who rely on fast mobile data speeds.
❓ How does the charging speed of the nubia Flip compare to real-world usage?
The nubia Flip claims a 50% charge in 18 minutes with its 33W charging. This is a reasonable claim, and the support for PD3.0, PPS, and QC4+ ensures compatibility with a wide range of chargers. Expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes with a compatible adapter.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, the limited camera information is a drawback. However, Huawei has a strong track record in mobile photography, suggesting the P50 Pocket will likely deliver good image quality. The nubia Flip, being a more budget-focused device, may offer less refined camera performance. Relying on reviews and sample images is crucial before making a decision.