ZTE nubia Z30 Pro vs Z40 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

ZTE's nubia series has consistently delivered impressive specs and features. The nubia Z30 Pro made waves with its blazing-fast charging, while the Z40 Pro brought a newer chipset and refined design. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges as the ultimate champion.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z40 Pro edges out the Z30 Pro thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, improved camera system, and refined design. While the Z30 Pro boasts significantly faster charging, the Z40 Pro offers a more modern and well-rounded flagship experience.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z30 Pro ZTE nubia Z40 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, May 202022, February 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 25Available. Released 2022, March 02
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions161.8 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)161.9 x 72.9 x 8.4 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, nubia UI 9Android 12, MyOS 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
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", 0.7µm-
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit videoYes
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fpsYes
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, aptX5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min66W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (gravity version) 80W wired (regular version)
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (gravity version)
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Black/GoldInterstellar Black, Star Black, Silver
ModelsNX667JNX701J
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 500 EUR

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Excellent AMOLED display
  • Competitive price

  • Older chipset compared to Z40 Pro
  • Camera performance slightly behind Z40 Pro
  • Design may feel dated compared to Z40 Pro

ZTE nubia Z40 Pro

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Improved camera system
  • Refined design
  • Potentially under-display camera

  • Slower charging speed than Z30 Pro
  • Higher price point
  • 80W/66W charging may not be as appealing to some

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher). The Z40 Pro likely has a slightly improved display panel with better color accuracy and brightness, potentially incorporating under-display camera technology for a more immersive experience. The Z30 Pro's display is still excellent, but the Z40 Pro has a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

The Z40 Pro is expected to have a significantly upgraded camera system. While the Z30 Pro's camera is capable, the Z40 Pro likely features a larger primary sensor, improved image processing, and potentially enhanced zoom capabilities. Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality from the Z40 Pro.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Z40 Pro offers a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the Z30 Pro. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Z40 Pro. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease, but the Z40 Pro is the clear winner for demanding users.

Battery Life

The Z30 Pro's 120W charging is a standout feature, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Z40 Pro, while offering 80W wired charging (regular version) or 66W (gravity version), doesn't match the Z30 Pro's charging speed. However, both phones likely have similar battery capacities, ensuring all-day battery life with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The nubia Z30 Pro is a great choice for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a slightly more affordable price point. The nubia Z40 Pro is ideal for those seeking top-tier performance, a better camera, and a more contemporary design, willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the nubia Z40 Pro worth the extra cost over the Z30 Pro?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a modern design, the Z40 Pro is worth the investment. However, if fast charging is your top priority and you're on a budget, the Z30 Pro remains a compelling option.
❓ What is the difference in charging time between the two phones?
The nubia Z30 Pro can fully charge in approximately 15 minutes with its 120W charger, while the nubia Z40 Pro takes around 30-35 minutes with its 80W/66W charger.