ZTE Nubia Z40 Pro vs Z50 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE's nubia series consistently delivers impressive specs at competitive prices. The Z40 Pro made waves with its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but the Z50 Ultra arrives with the newer, even more potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone emerges as the champion.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is the clear winner, boasting the superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, improved camera system, and faster charging. While the Z40 Pro remains a capable device, the Z50 Ultra offers a noticeable upgrade in performance and features, justifying its likely higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Z40 Pro	ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

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	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	LTE
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA	SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA 800	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2022, February 25	2023, March 07
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 02	Available. Released 2023, March 14

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back	-
Dimensions	161.9 x 72.9 x 8.4 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in)	163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	199 g (7.02 oz)	228 g (8.04 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 740
OS	Android 12, MyOS 12	Android 13, MyOS 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 4.0

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR	Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
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)	64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Video	Yes	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display
Video	Yes	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	66W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (gravity version) 80W wired (regular version)	80W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Market-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (gravity version)	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Interstellar Black, Star Black, Silver	Black, Silver, Starry Sky
Models	NX701J	NX712J
Price	About 500 EUR	About 540 EUR

ZTE nubia Z40 Pro

Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Fast 66W charging
Competitive price
Good display

Older chipset
No under-display camera
Potentially less refined camera system

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
80W fast charging
Under-display camera
Improved camera system
Likely brighter display

Likely higher price
Potential for software quirks (common with newer devices)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, though specific details are needed for confirmation). The Z50 Ultra likely has a slightly brighter display and potentially a more advanced panel technology, offering improved color accuracy and HDR performance. The Z50 Ultra also boasts an under-display camera, offering a truly full-screen experience, a feature absent in the Z40 Pro.

Camera Comparison

While both phones feature impressive camera setups, the Z50 Ultra is expected to have a superior camera system. The Z50 Ultra likely features a larger primary sensor and improved image processing algorithms, resulting in better low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The Z40 Pro's camera is still very capable, but the Z50 Ultra pushes the boundaries further.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Z50 Ultra provides a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Z40 Pro. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Z50 Ultra. The Gen 2's improved efficiency also translates to better power management.

Battery Life

Both phones offer fast charging capabilities. The Z50 Ultra's 80W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC4 support) is slightly faster than the Z40 Pro's 66W wired charging (regular version). Battery capacity is likely similar, but the Z50 Ultra's more efficient chipset could result in slightly better battery life overall.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the ZTE nubia Z40 Pro? Those seeking a high-performance phone on a tighter budget. It's a great option for gamers and power users who don't need the absolute latest technology. Who should buy the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra? Users prioritizing top-tier performance, a cutting-edge camera, and the latest Snapdragon processor. It's ideal for demanding users and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 a significant upgrade over the 8 Gen 1?

Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers noticeable improvements in performance, efficiency, and graphics capabilities compared to the 8 Gen 1.

❓ Does the Z50 Ultra have a better camera than the Z40 Pro?

Based on available information, the Z50 Ultra is expected to have a superior camera system with improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions.