The smartphone market is brimming with powerful devices, but two stand out: the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra and the Lenovo Legion Y70. Both pack impressive specs, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z50 Ultra takes the crown with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering superior performance and a potentially better camera experience. However, the Legion Y70's gaming-focused features and aggressive cooling might appeal to mobile gamers prioritizing sustained performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 07 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, August 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 77 x 8 mm (6.44 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 12, ZUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | - |
| Triple | 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 | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 16 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 68W wired, 80% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Starry Sky | Black, Silver, Red |
| Models | NX712J | L71091 |
| Price | About 540 EUR | About 440 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Potentially Better Camera System
- Sleek and Premium Design
- Fast Charging (80W)
- Software Support Concerns (ZTE's track record)
- Availability may be limited
- Price may be higher
Lenovo Legion Y70
- Excellent Gaming Performance (Aggressive Cooling)
- Gaming-Specific Features
- Fast Charging (68W)
- Competitive Price
- Camera Performance Not as Strong
- Design Less Premium
- Potentially Larger and Heavier
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The nubia Z50 Ultra likely boasts a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially a more refined color calibration, while the Legion Y70 prioritizes a wider color gamut for gaming. Expect excellent viewing experiences on both.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a superior camera system, likely featuring a larger primary sensor and advanced image processing capabilities. While the Legion Y70's camera is capable, the Z50 Ultra should excel in low-light conditions and offer more detail and dynamic range. Expect the Z50 Ultra to offer more versatile camera features.
Performance
The nubia Z50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a significant performance advantage over the Legion Y70's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. The Legion Y70's cooling system will help maintain performance during extended gaming sessions, but the Z50 Ultra's raw power is undeniable.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Legion Y70's 68W charging is slightly faster than the nubia Z50 Ultra's 80W. Real-world battery performance will depend on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day for moderate users.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for users seeking a premium camera, top-tier performance, and a sleek design. The Lenovo Legion Y70 is best suited for mobile gamers and power users who demand exceptional cooling and gaming-specific features, even if it means slightly compromising on camera quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Legion Y70 is specifically designed for gaming with its advanced cooling system and gaming-focused features. However, the nubia Z50 Ultra's more powerful processor can also handle demanding games effectively.
❓ Does the nubia Z50 Ultra have good software support?
ZTE's software support has been a concern in the past. While they are improving, it's something to consider before purchasing the nubia Z50 Ultra.
