ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs OnePlus 11R: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra and OnePlus 11R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship space. The nubia Z50 Ultra arrives with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the OnePlus 11R leverages the still-potent Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, the OnePlus 11R offers a fantastic balance of power and value, with its 100W charging providing a significant convenience factor, making it ideal for those seeking a high-performing phone without the top-tier price tag.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra OnePlus 11R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (3CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2023, March 072023, February 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Available. Released 2023, February 21
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
Display
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 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 (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, MyOS 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
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/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4100W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Starry SkyGalactic Silver, Sonic Black, Solar Red
ModelsNX712JCPH2487
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Potentially better camera system due to 'Ultra' branding
  • Improved thermal efficiency for sustained performance

  • Slower charging speed (80W vs 100W)
  • Likely higher price point

OnePlus 11R

  • Faster 100W wired charging
  • Excellent value for money
  • Still a very powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor

  • Less powerful processor compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Potentially less advanced camera system

Display Comparison

While specific display specs aren't provided, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. The nubia Z50 Ultra, positioned as an 'Ultra' device, likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a more sophisticated LTPO implementation for variable refresh rates, leading to improved power efficiency. The OnePlus 11R, while excellent, may prioritize cost savings in this area. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the nubia's flagship status suggests a slight edge in screen-to-body ratio.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, the 'Ultra' branding of the nubia Z50 suggests a more sophisticated camera system. We can infer a larger main sensor and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms. The OnePlus 11R will likely offer a very good camera experience, but may lean towards a more balanced approach rather than pushing the boundaries of mobile photography. The absence of details on OIS and lens apertures makes a precise comparison impossible, but the nubia is expected to have an advantage in low-light performance and dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a more advanced architecture – Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.2GHz – compared to the OnePlus 11R’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) with its Cortex-X2 prime core at 3.0GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and sustained GPU performance on the nubia. The 8 Gen 2’s improved efficiency also means less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the 11R’s 8+ Gen 1 is still incredibly capable, the 8 Gen 2 represents a generational leap. Both likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the nubia may benefit from faster speeds due to chipset support.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 11R’s 100W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for a full charge in a considerably shorter time than the nubia Z50 Ultra’s 80W charging. While the nubia may have a larger battery capacity (unspecified), the 11R’s faster charging mitigates any potential disadvantage. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s improved efficiency in the nubia Z50 Ultra will contribute to better battery life during typical usage, but the 11R’s rapid charging offers a compelling trade-off for users who prioritize convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra if you demand the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and appreciate the benefits of the latest chipset technology. Buy the OnePlus 11R if you prioritize fast charging, a smooth user experience, and excellent value for money, and are comfortable with a slightly older, but still very capable, processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the OnePlus 11R struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is still a very capable chip and can handle Genshin Impact at high settings. However, you may experience some frame drops during prolonged gaming sessions. The nubia Z50 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will provide a smoother and more consistent experience in demanding titles.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the OnePlus 11R compared to the 80W charging on the nubia Z50 Ultra in real-world use?
The 100W charging on the OnePlus 11R can typically charge a phone from 0-100% in around 25-30 minutes, while the 80W charging on the nubia Z50 Ultra will likely take closer to 35-45 minutes. This difference is most noticeable when topping up the battery quickly.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the nubia Z50 Ultra offer significant improvements in AI processing compared to the 8+ Gen 1?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 features a significantly upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks. This translates to faster and more efficient performance in AI-powered features like image processing, voice recognition, and on-device machine learning.