ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: A Deep Dive Comparison

Both the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra and the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone engineering, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, they cater to slightly different audiences. The nubia Z50 Ultra aims for a well-rounded flagship experience with a focus on camera capabilities, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming enthusiasts, prioritizing performance and features tailored to that niche.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a powerful all-rounder with a stunning camera, the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra emerges as the better choice. While the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate excels in gaming, its specialized features and higher price point don't justify the cost for those not heavily invested in mobile gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2023, March 072023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Available. Released 2023, May
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, MyOS 13Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display-
Triple64 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), PDAF50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC465W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Starry SkyStorm White
ModelsNX712J-
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially superior camera system (200MP sensor)
  • More versatile all-around flagship experience

  • May experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming
  • Lacks dedicated gaming triggers

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Optimized for sustained gaming performance with advanced cooling
  • Dedicated gaming triggers for enhanced control
  • 10W reverse wireless charging

  • Slower 65W wired charging
  • Higher price point
  • Gaming-focused features may be unnecessary for casual users

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but their displays differ. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a measured peak brightness of 1095 nits, suggesting a more visible screen outdoors. While the nubia Z50 Ultra’s display specs aren’t provided, its marketing emphasizes color accuracy. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a true OLED panel, likely offering deeper blacks. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor visibility, while the nubia Z50 Ultra may prioritize color fidelity for content consumption.

Camera Comparison

The context data for both devices only states 'Photo / Video' capabilities. However, the nubia Z50 Ultra is known for its 200MP main sensor (not in provided data, but a key feature), suggesting a focus on high-resolution photography and potentially superior detail capture. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, while capable, likely prioritizes image processing optimized for gaming content and social media sharing. Without specific aperture or sensor size details for the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, it’s reasonable to assume the nubia Z50 Ultra offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.

Performance

Both phones are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset and the same CPU configuration – a 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate benefits from its advanced cooling system, designed to sustain peak performance for longer durations during demanding gaming sessions. The nubia Z50 Ultra, while powerful, may experience more thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s gaming-centric design gives it a clear edge in sustained performance.

Battery Life

Both devices have an endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The nubia Z50 Ultra supports 80W wired charging, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate offers 65W wired charging, along with 10W reverse wired charging. The nubia Z50 Ultra’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, reaching a full charge more rapidly. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s 10W reverse charging is a useful feature for topping up accessories, but the nubia Z50 Ultra’s faster wired charging is a more impactful benefit for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra if you need a versatile flagship with a top-tier camera system, fast 80W charging, and a more conventional smartphone experience. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, customizable gaming controls (triggers), and are willing to pay a premium for a device specifically engineered for extended gaming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate's cooling system significantly reduce throttling during prolonged gaming sessions compared to the nubia Z50 Ultra?
Yes, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate's advanced cooling system, including vapor chamber and potentially external fan accessories, is specifically designed to dissipate heat more effectively than the nubia Z50 Ultra. This allows the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, minimizing performance throttling during demanding games.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the nubia Z50 Ultra compare to the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate in real-world usage?
The nubia Z50 Ultra's 80W charging will noticeably reduce charging times. While the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate claims 100% in 42 minutes, the nubia Z50 Ultra should achieve a full charge slightly faster. This difference is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the lack of dedicated gaming triggers on the nubia Z50 Ultra a significant disadvantage for mobile gamers?
For hardcore mobile gamers, the absence of dedicated gaming triggers on the nubia Z50 Ultra is a drawback. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s triggers provide a more tactile and responsive gaming experience, offering a competitive edge in certain games. However, casual gamers may not find the lack of triggers to be a major issue.
❓ Given both phones have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, will I notice a performance difference in everyday tasks?
In everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video playback, you likely won't notice a significant performance difference between the two phones. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more than capable of handling these tasks smoothly on both devices. The performance gap will primarily become apparent during sustained, demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.