The foldable phone market is maturing, offering choices beyond Samsung's dominance. The ZTE nubia Flip2, a clamshell-style foldable, directly challenges the premium, book-style Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and value, to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and affordability, the ZTE nubia Flip2 is the clear winner. Its exceptional 36:54h endurance significantly outpaces the Z Fold5’s 12:01h active use score. However, the Galaxy Z Fold5 remains the superior choice for power users demanding peak performance and a larger, brighter display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, January 15 | 2023, July 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2023, August 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Aluminum alloy frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 170 x 76 x 7.2 mmFolded: 87 x 76 x 15.8 mm | Unfolded: 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mmFolded: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 253 g (8.92 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1188 x 2790 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~443 ppi density) | 1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM) | Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300X (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Ring LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 66mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display
Cover camera:
10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4+ | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4325 mAh | Li-Po 4400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Night Black, Lilac Purple, Blue, White | Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, Blue |
| Models | A404ZT, NX732J | SM-F946B, SM-F946B/DS, SM-F946U, SM-F946U1, SM-F946N, SM-F946W, SM-F9460 |
| Price | - | € 660.00 / $ 607.00 / £ 520.69 / ₹ 86,000 |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.24 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 36:54h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class C (70 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
ZTE nubia Flip2
- Exceptional battery life (36:54h endurance)
- Fast and versatile 33W charging
- More affordable price point
- Less powerful processor than the Z Fold5
- Limited camera information available
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Brighter and larger display (1257 nits)
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Significantly shorter battery life (12:01h active use)
- Higher price tag
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1257 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the nubia Flip2’s display specs are not provided, its clamshell form factor prioritizes compactness over screen real estate. The Z Fold5’s larger internal display is geared towards productivity, while the Flip2’s external display is focused on quick glances and notifications. The Z Fold5 likely utilizes LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, enhancing power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Flip2.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs for the nubia Flip2 are unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging. The Galaxy Z Fold5’s camera system, while not detailed in the provided data, is expected to offer a more versatile experience with features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and advanced image processing. The Z Fold5 likely features a larger main sensor, capturing more light and detail. The absence of specific camera details for the Flip2 suggests a focus on core functionality rather than photographic excellence.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) in the Galaxy Z Fold5 represents a substantial performance leap over the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X (4nm) found in the nubia Flip2. The Z Fold5’s CPU configuration – a 1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 prime core – is designed for peak performance, while the Flip2’s 4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores offer strong, but less aggressive, performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Adreno GPU will deliver a smoother gaming experience and faster rendering speeds. However, the Dimensity 7300X’s 4nm process node provides good efficiency, potentially mitigating the performance gap in less demanding tasks. The Z Fold5’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances its multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The ZTE nubia Flip2’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 36:54 hours. This is dramatically higher than the Galaxy Z Fold5’s 12:01h active use score and significantly exceeds its 95h endurance rating. The Flip2’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and QC4+ support offers fast and versatile charging options. The Z Fold5’s 25W wired charging, while offering a 50% charge in 30 minutes, is slower. The inclusion of 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging on the Z Fold5 adds convenience, but doesn’t compensate for the Flip2’s superior battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Flip2 if you need a highly portable, long-lasting foldable that doesn't break the bank. It's ideal for social media enthusiasts, casual gamers, and anyone who values all-day battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 if you prefer a tablet-like experience with multitasking capabilities, a brighter and more immersive display, and the raw processing power for demanding applications and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7300X in the nubia Flip2 struggle with graphically intensive games?
While the Dimensity 7300X is a capable chip, it doesn't match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's raw power. Expect to play most games at medium settings for a smooth experience. Demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain consistent frame rates.
❓ How does the smaller battery of the Galaxy Z Fold5 impact its real-world usability?
The Z Fold5’s 12:01h active use score indicates it will likely require a midday charge with moderate to heavy use. Power users who frequently game, stream video, or multitask will find the battery drains quickly. The Z Fold5 prioritizes features and performance over extended battery life.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the nubia Flip2 a cause for concern?
It suggests the camera isn't a primary focus. While it will likely be adequate for casual photography, don't expect flagship-level image quality or advanced features like extensive zoom capabilities. The Z Fold5 is the better choice for photography enthusiasts.
❓ What kind of charging protocols does the nubia Flip2 support, and how quickly does it charge?
The nubia Flip2 supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and QC4+, offering broad compatibility and fast charging speeds. While a precise 0-100% time isn't provided, it's expected to be significantly faster than the Z Fold5's 25W charging.
