ZTE nubia Z40 Pro vs Z30 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE's nubia series has consistently delivered impressive specs and features at competitive prices. Today, we're pitting two of their flagship contenders against each other: the nubia Z40 Pro and the nubia Z30 Pro. Which phone offers the best overall experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z40 Pro boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. However, the Z30 Pro's blazing-fast 120W charging is a major advantage. Ultimately, the Z40 Pro wins for raw power, while the Z30 Pro excels in charging speed.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z40 Pro ZTE nubia Z30 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2022, February 252021, May 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 02Available. Released 2021, May 25
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back-
Dimensions161.9 x 72.9 x 8.4 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)161.8 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)198 g (6.98 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 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nitsAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 11, nubia UI 9
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 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 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP
Triple64 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)-
VideoYes8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
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
Charging66W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (gravity version) 80W wired (regular version)120W wired, 100% in 15 min
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (gravity version)Li-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsInterstellar Black, Star Black, SilverSilver, Black, Black/Gold
ModelsNX701JNX667J
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 640 EUR

ZTE nubia Z40 Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Potentially improved camera system
  • Modern design
  • Likely better display technology

  • Slower charging than Z30 Pro
  • May have limited software support compared to other brands

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Excellent AMOLED display
  • Solid performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Competitive price

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Potentially less advanced camera system
  • Design may feel slightly dated

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, though specific details are needed for confirmation). The Z40 Pro likely has a slightly improved display due to newer panel technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness. The Z30 Pro's display is still excellent, providing vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

While both phones likely have capable camera systems, the Z40 Pro is expected to have a more advanced setup. The Z30 Pro likely features a 64MP main sensor, while the Z40 Pro may incorporate a larger sensor and improved image processing algorithms. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the Z40 Pro.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Z40 Pro is a clear winner here. It offers a substantial performance increase over the Snapdragon 888 in the Z30 Pro, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Z40 Pro's 4nm process also contributes to improved efficiency.

Battery Life

The Z30 Pro takes the crown in this category with its incredible 120W wired charging. It can fully charge from 0% in just 15 minutes. The Z40 Pro offers 66W wired charging (or 80W depending on the version) and 15W wireless charging, which is still fast but not as impressive as the Z30 Pro's wired charging.

Buying Guide

The nubia Z40 Pro is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize performance and a modern chipset. The nubia Z30 Pro is a great choice for those who value incredibly fast charging and don't mind a slightly older processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 significantly faster than the Snapdragon 888?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a noticeable performance improvement over the Snapdragon 888, particularly in CPU and GPU performance. You'll experience faster app loading, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both phones have decent battery life, the Z30 Pro's 120W charging gives it a significant advantage in terms of charging speed. The Z40 Pro's battery life is likely comparable, but it will take longer to charge.