ZTE nubia Z40S Pro vs. Z30 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE's nubia series has consistently delivered impressive specs at competitive prices. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the nubia Z40S Pro and the nubia Z30 Pro. Which one offers the best blend of power, features, and value?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z40S Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and potentially improved camera system. While the Z30 Pro boasts incredibly fast 120W charging, the Z40S Pro's overall performance and newer hardware make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z40S 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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 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
Launch
Announced2022, July 202021, May 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 26Available. Released 2021, May 25
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back-
Dimensions161.3 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.32 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
Weight205 g (7.23 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 (~90.0% 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 (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 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 SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, MyOS 13Android 11, nubia UI 9
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 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
Single-16 MP
Triple64 MP, f/1.6, 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), AF-
Video8K, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@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 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
Charging80W wired (regular version) 120W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (120W version)120W wired, 100% in 15 min
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (120W version)Li-Po 4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsInterstellar Black, Star Black, SilverSilver, Black, Black/Gold
ModelsNX702JNX667J
PriceAbout 490 EURAbout 640 EUR

ZTE nubia Z40S Pro

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Potentially improved camera system
  • Modern design and features
  • Fast charging (80W/120W)

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Specific camera details need confirmation

ZTE nubia Z30 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W wired charging
  • Solid performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Potentially more affordable
  • Good display quality

  • Older chipset compared to Z40S Pro
  • Camera may not be as advanced
  • Less efficient processor

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays, likely with high refresh rates (assumed 120Hz or higher). The Z40S Pro likely has a slightly improved panel due to newer technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness. However, specific display specs like resolution and size need further confirmation.

Camera Comparison

While both phones likely offer capable camera systems, the Z40S Pro is expected to have an edge. The newer chipset allows for more advanced image processing algorithms. The Z30 Pro's camera is still good, but the Z40S Pro should deliver sharper images, better low-light performance, and potentially more versatile shooting modes.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Z40S Pro is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 888 in the Z30 Pro. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and noticeably better gaming performance on the Z40S Pro. The 4nm process of the 8+ Gen 1 also contributes to improved power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Z30 Pro's 120W wired charging is a standout feature, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The Z40S Pro offers 80W wired charging (regular version) or 120W (120W version), still very fast. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two, but the Z40S Pro's more efficient chipset could result in slightly better overall battery life.

Buying Guide

The nubia Z40S Pro is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes raw performance and a modern chipset. The nubia Z30 Pro remains a solid option for those seeking blazing-fast charging and a slightly more affordable price point, especially if they don't heavily rely on the absolute latest processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 888?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant performance boost and improved power efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 888. You'll notice faster speeds and smoother performance in most tasks.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The nubia Z30 Pro can fully charge in approximately 15 minutes with its 120W charger. The nubia Z40S Pro with 80W charging will take slightly longer, around 30-35 minutes, while the 120W version will charge in around 15-20 minutes.