ZTE Nubia Z50 Ultra vs Xiaomi 13 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

The smartphone landscape is dominated by powerhouses, and the ZTE Nubia Z50 Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Ultra are two of the most compelling contenders. Both pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but their approaches to design, camera systems, and features differ significantly. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which phone deserves your attention.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior camera system, faster charging (wired and wireless), and slightly better battery life. However, the Nubia Z50 Ultra offers a compelling alternative with a potentially more aggressive price point and a vibrant display, making it a strong value proposition.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra Xiaomi 13 Ultra
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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, March 072023, April 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Available. Released 2023, April 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)163.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)227 g (8.01 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1300 nits (HBM), 2600 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, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 67mm filter ring holder (optional)
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9 or f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.8, 75mm (telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
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), PDAF-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K@60fps, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
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, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
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 3.2, DisplayPort, 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/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC490W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless, 100% in 49 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Starry SkyBlack, Olive Green, White, Orange, Yellow, Blue
ModelsNX712J2304FPN6DC, 2304FPN6DG
PriceAbout 540 EUR€ 797.98 / $ 389.69
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Vibrant AMOLED display
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Potentially more affordable
  • Sleek design

  • Camera not as impressive as Xiaomi 13 Ultra
  • Battery life slightly shorter
  • Less established brand recognition

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system (1-inch sensor)
  • Fast wired and wireless charging
  • Excellent battery life
  • Premium build quality
  • Strong software support

  • Higher price point
  • Larger and heavier design

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts a measured peak brightness of 1207 nits, giving it a slight edge in outdoor visibility. The Nubia Z50 Ultra's display is known for its vibrant colors and excellent contrast, offering a visually immersive experience. While both are excellent, Xiaomi's brightness advantage is noticeable.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Xiaomi 13 Ultra truly shines. Its quad-camera system, featuring a massive 1-inch sensor, offers unparalleled image quality, especially in low light. The Nubia Z50 Ultra's camera is capable, but it doesn't match the versatility and overall quality of the Xiaomi's setup. Xiaomi's camera system is a significant selling point.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, both devices deliver blazing-fast performance. Expect smooth multitasking, seamless gaming, and effortless handling of demanding applications. Real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal, as both phones are equipped with the same powerful chipset. Thermal management will be a key factor in sustained performance, and reviews suggest Xiaomi has slightly better cooling.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra demonstrates impressive battery life, with active use lasting around 10 hours and an endurance rating of 108 hours. The Nubia Z50 Ultra's battery life is respectable, but falls slightly short of the Xiaomi's longevity. Xiaomi's faster charging speeds (wired and wireless) further enhance its battery advantage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the ZTE Nubia Z50 Ultra? Gamers and users prioritizing a vibrant display and potentially a more affordable flagship experience. Who should buy the Xiaomi 13 Ultra? Photography enthusiasts and those seeking a top-tier all-around flagship with exceptional camera capabilities and fast charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for mobile gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, Xiaomi's potentially better thermal management might allow for slightly more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 Ultra worth the extra cost?
If photography is a priority, then yes. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra's camera system is a significant upgrade. If you're primarily focused on performance and a vibrant display, the Nubia Z50 Ultra offers a compelling value proposition.