ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs. vivo X90 Pro+: Which Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience with fast wired *and* wireless charging, the vivo X90 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its 50W wireless charging capability and refined software experience provide a more complete package, despite the nubia Z50 Ultra offering a competitive price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra | vivo X90 Pro+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 07 | 2022, November 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, December 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 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 (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| 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 (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Starry Sky | Black, Red |
| Models | NX712J | V2227A |
| Price | About 540 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
- Potentially more aggressive cooling for sustained gaming
- Competitive pricing offers excellent value
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship performance
- Lacks wireless charging
- Camera system likely less refined than the X90 Pro+
- Software experience may be less polished
vivo X90 Pro+
- 50W wireless charging for added convenience
- Likely superior camera system with advanced image processing
- Refined software experience and build quality
- Potentially higher price point
- Thermal management might be more conservative
- Curved display can be prone to accidental touches
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s capabilities to drive high-refresh-rate displays, but specific panel details are missing. However, given the market positioning, the X90 Pro+ likely employs a higher-quality LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, potentially offering better power efficiency. The nubia Z50 Ultra, while likely excellent, may prioritize raw refresh rate over dynamic adjustment. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the X90 Pro+’s curved display might offer a slightly more immersive visual experience, though at the cost of potential accidental touches.
Camera Comparison
While detailed camera specs are unavailable, the X90 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging vivo’s expertise in image processing. The absence of specific sensor details necessitates speculation, but the X90 Pro+ likely boasts a larger main sensor and a more advanced optical image stabilization (OIS) system. The nubia Z50 Ultra, while capable, may prioritize quantity over quality, potentially including lower-resolution auxiliary lenses. Image processing styles will also differ; vivo typically aims for vibrant, social media-ready images, while nubia might lean towards a more natural look.
Performance
Both the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra and vivo X90 Pro+ are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical in day-to-day tasks and demanding applications. The key differentiator will be thermal management. Nubia’s gaming focus suggests a more aggressive cooling solution, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions. However, the X90 Pro+’s software optimization could provide a more balanced thermal profile, preventing throttling without sacrificing performance. Both likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, ensuring swift multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 80W wired charging, with the X90 Pro+ advertising a full charge in 33 minutes. The nubia Z50 Ultra’s charging speed is not explicitly timed. However, the X90 Pro+’s inclusion of 50W wireless charging is a significant advantage, offering a convenient and relatively fast charging option. The nubia Z50 Ultra lacks wireless charging. Battery capacity is not specified, but the X90 Pro+'s wireless charging capability suggests a slightly larger battery to accommodate the power draw.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with a more raw, gaming-focused experience. Its aggressive pricing delivers top-tier performance without breaking the bank. Buy the vivo X90 Pro+ if you value a premium, polished experience with the convenience of fast wireless charging and a more sophisticated camera system. It’s the choice for users who demand refinement alongside power.