nubia Z50 Ultra vs. Motorola Moto X40: A Flagship Showdown

The smartphone market is brimming with powerful devices, and the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra and Motorola Moto X40 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, promising top-tier performance, but significant differences exist in charging speed, camera features, and overall design. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one to choose.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Moto X40 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 125W charging and added wireless/reverse wireless capabilities. While the nubia Z50 Ultra boasts a potentially superior camera system (based on initial reviews), the X40's charging speed and broader feature set make it the more compelling package for many users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra Motorola Moto X40
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2023, March 072022, December 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Available. Released 2022, December 22
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+
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, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GB
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
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, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
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)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Ready For 3.5 support
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Starry SkyBlack, Blue
ModelsNX712JXT2301-5
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 540 EUR

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Potentially superior camera system
  • Vibrant AMOLED display
  • Premium design
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance

  • Slower charging speed (80W)
  • Less well-known brand
  • Software support concerns (ZTE's track record)

Motorola Moto X40

  • Blazing-fast 125W wired charging
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • More mainstream brand
  • Excellent outdoor display visibility

  • Camera may not match nubia's potential
  • Design might be less distinctive
  • Software updates can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning AMOLED displays with 144Hz refresh rates, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The nubia Z50 Ultra is rumored to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness, but real-world differences are likely minimal. The Moto X40's display is known for its excellent outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The nubia Z50 Ultra is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially featuring a larger primary sensor and improved image processing. Early reviews suggest excellent low-light performance and detailed photos. The Moto X40 offers a capable camera setup, but it may not match the nubia's potential in certain scenarios.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, both devices deliver exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. Expect seamless performance across the board. Software optimization might differ slightly, impacting the overall user experience.

Battery Life

The Moto X40's 125W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The nubia Z50 Ultra's 80W charging is still fast, but significantly slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4500-5000mAh), but the Moto X40's charging advantage gives it a clear edge.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality and a vibrant display. The Motorola Moto X40 is a better choice for users who value blazing-fast charging, wireless charging convenience, and a more mainstream brand reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the Moto X40's faster charging means you'll spend less time plugged in, effectively giving it an advantage.
❓ Is the nubia Z50 Ultra worth the risk given ZTE's software support?
That depends on your tolerance for risk. If camera quality is your absolute top priority and you're willing to potentially compromise on long-term software updates, the nubia Z50 Ultra could be worth considering.