ZTE nubia Z17s vs vivo Y95: A Detailed Smartphone Showdown

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE nubia Z17s, a former flagship, and the vivo Y95, a budget-friendly option. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone comes out on top.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z17s decisively wins this comparison. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset offers significantly superior performance and a smoother user experience compared to the vivo Y95's Snapdragon 439. While the Y95 offers value, the Z17s's power and features make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Z17s	vivo Y95

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, China	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China	1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat5 150/75 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20 - Europe	-

Launch
Announced	2017, October. Released 2017, October	2018, November. Released 2018, November
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	147.5 x 72.7 x 8.5 mm (5.81 x 2.86 x 0.33 in)	155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	170 g (6.00 oz)	163.5 g (5.75 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)	-
Resolution	1080 x 2040 pixels, 17:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	5.73 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)	Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)	Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm)
GPU	Adreno 540	Adreno 505
OS	Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), nubia UI 5.1	Android 8.1 (Oreo), Funtouch 4.5

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF 23 MP, f/2.0, AF, 2x lossless zoom	13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	5 MP, f/2.2 5 MP	20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm - for Global market 8 MP, f/2.0 - for China
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	32-bit/384kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP, LE	4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio	No	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	26W wired, QC4, 50% in 25 min	-
Type	Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable	4030 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Aurora Blue, Black Gold	Starry Night, Nebula Purple, Aurora Red
Models	NX595J	1807
Price	About 360 EUR	About 250 EUR
SAR	-	1.09 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z17s

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 835)
Vibrant AMOLED Display
Fast Charging (26W)
Premium Build Quality
Good Camera System

Older Model (Limited Software Updates)
May be harder to find new

vivo Y95

Large Battery Capacity (5000mAh)
Affordable Price
Decent for Basic Tasks
Larger Screen Size

Lower Performance (Snapdragon 439)
Less Vibrant Display (IPS LCD)
Slower Charging
Lower Camera Quality

Display Comparison

The nubia Z17s boasts a 5.73-inch AMOLED display with a 2520 x 1440 resolution, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The vivo Y95 features a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display with a 1520 x 720 resolution. The Z17s's higher resolution and AMOLED technology provide a noticeably sharper and more visually appealing experience.

Camera Comparison

The nubia Z17s typically features a dual-camera setup (20MP + 12MP) known for its good image quality and portrait mode capabilities. The vivo Y95 usually has a 13MP rear camera. While the Y95's camera is decent for its price range, the Z17s generally produces better photos with more detail and dynamic range.

Performance

This is where the nubia Z17s truly shines. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset is significantly more powerful than the vivo Y95's Snapdragon 439. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the Z17s. The Y95 will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The nubia Z17s typically has a 3800mAh battery with 26W fast charging (QC4). The vivo Y95 usually has a 5000mAh battery. While the Y95 has a larger capacity, the Z17s's fast charging provides a quicker top-up. Battery life will depend on usage, but the Y95 *may* offer slightly longer overall endurance.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z17s is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a premium feel, and a capable camera. It's a great choice for gamers and those who demand a responsive smartphone. The vivo Y95 is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.