ZTE Nubia Z30 Pro vs Xiaomi 13 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

The smartphone landscape is fiercely competitive, and today we're pitting two powerhouses against each other: the ZTE nubia Z30 Pro and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Both offer premium features and impressive specs, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra emerges as the clear winner, boasting a superior camera system, brighter display, and the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While the Z30 Pro's 120W charging is lightning-fast, the 13 Ultra's overall package is more compelling for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z30 Pro Xiaomi 13 Ultra
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, May 202023, April 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 25Available. Released 2023, April 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.8 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)163.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)227 g (8.01 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1300 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, nubia UI 9Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 67mm filter ring holder (optional)
Quad64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/1.9, 35mm (standard), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 123mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm50 MP, f/1.9 or f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.8, 75mm (telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Single16 MP-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K@60fps, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless, 100% in 49 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Black/GoldBlack, Olive Green, White, Orange, Yellow, Blue
ModelsNX667J2304FPN6DC, 2304FPN6DG
PriceAbout 640 EUR€ 797.98 / $ 389.69
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Smooth 120Hz display
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Competitive price (typically)

  • Camera performance lags behind the competition
  • Design may not appeal to everyone
  • Software support potentially limited compared to Xiaomi

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Long battery life
  • Premium design and build quality

  • Higher price point
  • Charging speed slower than Z30 Pro
  • MIUI software can be polarizing

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra's display shines with a measured peak brightness of 1207 nits, significantly outperforming the Z30 Pro. Both offer high refresh rates (likely 120Hz on both), but the Xiaomi's superior brightness makes it more visible in direct sunlight. Color accuracy and overall visual quality are also expected to be better on the 13 Ultra.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra's camera system is a major selling point. It features a sophisticated multi-lens setup with a large primary sensor, offering exceptional image quality, detail, and dynamic range. The Z30 Pro's camera is decent, but it simply can't compete with the 13 Ultra's advanced hardware and image processing capabilities. Video recording capabilities are also expected to be superior on the 13 Ultra.

Performance

Both phones are powered by flagship Snapdragon processors – the Z30 Pro with the Snapdragon 888 and the 13 Ultra with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While the 888 is still a capable chip, the 8 Gen 2 offers a noticeable performance boost in both CPU and GPU tasks, resulting in smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. The 13 Ultra's newer architecture also contributes to improved power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving 10:09 hours of active use and an endurance rating of 108 hours. While the Z30 Pro's 120W charging is incredibly fast, allowing for a full charge in just 15 minutes, the 13 Ultra's larger battery and more efficient processor provide longer overall usage time.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z30 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a smooth, high-refresh-rate display on a slightly tighter budget. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is for photography enthusiasts and those seeking top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a premium, feature-rich experience, even at a higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has the better camera?
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a significantly better camera system with a larger sensor and more advanced features, resulting in superior image quality.
❓ Is the nubia Z30 Pro worth buying if fast charging is a priority?
Yes, the nubia Z30 Pro's 120W charging is unmatched, making it a great choice for those who need to quickly top up their phone.