Both the ZTE Nubia Z50 and the Motorola Moto X40 pack the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, promising top-tier performance. But beyond the shared silicon, these phones offer distinct experiences. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which one emerges as the ultimate champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto X40 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 125W wired charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. While the Nubia Z50 offers a compelling package, the X40's charging capabilities and potentially superior camera system (based on typical Motorola implementations) give it the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 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 bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 19 | 2022, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 26 | Available. Released 2022, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or eco leather back | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.7 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits | OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+ |
| 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, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0
UFS 3.1 (128GB only) | UFS 3.1 - 128GB
UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash (4 LEDs), panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 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 |
| Video | 8K, 4K | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Ready For 3.5 support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min
15W wireless
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red | Black, Blue |
| Models | NX711J | XT2301-5 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 540 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50
- Potentially cleaner software experience
- Sleek design
- Competitive price (likely)
- Good performance thanks to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Slower charging speed (80W)
- Less established brand recognition
- Camera performance potentially behind Motorola
Motorola Moto X40
- Blazing-fast 125W wired charging
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
- Potentially better camera tuning
- Established brand reputation
- Motorola's software can be a bit bland
- Price may be higher than Nubia Z50
- Design might be less distinctive
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (120Hz or higher). The Nubia Z50 might boast a slightly curved display for a more immersive feel. The Moto X40's display quality will depend on its panel technology and calibration, which requires further investigation. Resolution is likely to be FHD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have capable camera systems, the Moto X40 often benefits from Motorola's tuning and image processing. Expect a versatile setup on both, potentially including a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. Detailed camera comparisons require sample photos and video tests.
Performance
Identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets mean comparable performance in demanding tasks and gaming. Real-world differences will likely stem from software optimization and thermal management. Motorola's software might be slightly more streamlined, while Nubia's could offer more customization options.
Battery Life
The Moto X40's 125W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Nubia Z50's 80W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Both likely have similar battery capacities (around 4500-5000mAh), so battery life should be comparable under normal usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Nubia Z50 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean software experience and potentially a more immersive display (assuming it has a higher quality panel than the X40). The Motorola Moto X40 is best suited for those who value blazing-fast charging, versatile charging options, and a potentially more refined camera experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Battery life should be similar due to comparable battery capacities. However, the Moto X40's faster charging means it will top up much quicker.
❓ Is the Nubia Z50 worth buying if I care about fast charging?
If fast charging is a priority, the Moto X40 is the clear winner. The Nubia Z50's 80W charging is decent, but not as impressive.
