ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra vs ZTE Axon 50 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

ZTE has been making waves in the smartphone market, and these two devices, the nubia Z50 Ultra and the Axon 50 Ultra, represent their flagship ambitions. Both offer premium features and impressive specs, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The nubia Z50 Ultra edges out the Axon 50 Ultra thanks to its newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering superior performance and efficiency. While both offer excellent cameras and fast charging, the Z50 Ultra's processing power gives it a slight advantage for demanding users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
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 bandsLTELTE
5G bandsSA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2023, March 072023, April 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Cancelled
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz
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 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 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 12, MyOS 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone 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), PDAF64 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
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 Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service)
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC480W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Starry SkyBlack
ModelsNX712J-
PriceAbout 540 EUR-

ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Potentially Brighter Display
  • Advanced Camera System
  • Sleek Design

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Software Support (ZTE's track record can be inconsistent)

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

  • Under-Display Camera (Full-Screen Experience)
  • Excellent Camera Quality
  • Fast Charging (80W)
  • Competitive Price

  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Potentially Less Efficient
  • Software Support (ZTE's track record can be inconsistent)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, based on typical ZTE flagship specs). The nubia Z50 Ultra likely boasts a slightly brighter panel and potentially a higher resolution, though both offer excellent viewing experiences. Expect vivid colors and smooth scrolling on both devices.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to have impressive camera systems, likely featuring high-resolution main sensors (potentially 108MP or higher) and advanced image processing capabilities. The Axon 50 Ultra is known for its under-display camera, offering a truly full-screen experience. The Z50 Ultra may have a more advanced camera system overall, leveraging the newer chipset's image processing capabilities. Expect excellent photo and video quality from both.

Performance

The nubia Z50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a significant upgrade over the Axon 50 Ultra's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The Gen 2 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Z50 Ultra will handle demanding tasks with greater ease and efficiency.

Battery Life

Both devices feature 80W wired charging, allowing for rapid battery replenishment. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. The nubia Z50 Ultra's more efficient chipset may translate to slightly better battery endurance.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra is ideal for gamers, content creators, and power users who demand the absolute best performance. The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra remains a strong contender for those seeking a premium experience with a focus on camera capabilities and a slightly more accessible price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the nubia Z50 Ultra worth the extra cost over the Axon 50 Ultra?
If you prioritize performance and the latest technology, the Z50 Ultra is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and value a full-screen experience, the Axon 50 Ultra remains a compelling option.
❓ How is the software experience on these ZTE phones?
ZTE's software experience has improved, but it's still not as polished as some competitors. Software updates can be inconsistent, so factor that into your decision.