The ZTE nubia Z50 and Realme GT Neo 5 240W represent distinct approaches to the flagship-killer segment. The nubia Z50 arrives with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, promising top-tier performance, while the GT Neo 5 prioritizes blazing-fast 240W charging, a feature that redefines how quickly you can top up your battery. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the ZTE nubia Z50 is the better choice thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, if minimizing charging downtime is paramount, the Realme GT Neo 5 240W’s unparalleled charging speed makes it a compelling option, despite the older chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 19 | 2023, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 26 | Available. Released 2023, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or eco leather back | - |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.7 mm | 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Illuminated RGB (on the back) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 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 (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0
UFS 3.1 (128GB only) | UFS 3.1 |
| 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 dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope) |
| Video | 8K, 4K | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (dual side) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 240W wired, 50% in 4 min, 100% in 10 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red | Purple, Black, White |
| Models | NX711J | RMX3708 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 440 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for superior performance
- Potentially better thermal management due to newer architecture
- Likely more advanced camera system
- Slower 80W charging compared to the GT Neo 5
- Potentially higher price point
Realme GT Neo 5 240W
- Revolutionary 240W charging for incredibly fast top-ups
- Still a very capable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
- Likely more affordable price
- Older chipset compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Potentially less refined camera system
Display Comparison
While specific display details are missing, both phones likely utilize AMOLED panels given their market positioning. The nubia Z50, being a flagship, may feature a higher peak brightness and potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery efficiency. The GT Neo 5 will likely focus on a high refresh rate for smooth gaming. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the nubia Z50’s design language often leans towards a more premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the nubia Z50’s flagship status, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The GT Neo 5 will likely focus on delivering good value, but may compromise on sensor size or optical image stabilization (OIS). The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality and should be considered a secondary feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Z50’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) boasts a newer architecture – Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.2 GHz – compared to the Realme GT Neo 5’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) with its Cortex-X2 prime core at 3.19 GHz. This translates to a performance advantage for the Z50, particularly in sustained workloads. The Z50’s CPU configuration (1+2+2+3) is also more balanced than the GT Neo 5’s (1+3+4). While both use a 4nm process, the Gen 2 offers improved efficiency, potentially leading to better thermal management and less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Z50 will also benefit from newer Adreno GPU architecture.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo 5 240W’s defining feature is its incredibly fast charging. Achieving 50% charge in 4 minutes and 100% in 10 minutes is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While the nubia Z50 offers a respectable 80W charging, it pales in comparison. The actual battery capacity of both devices is unknown, but the GT Neo 5’s charging speed effectively mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, offering a similar real-world experience for users constantly on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Z50 if you need the absolute best processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a more modern chipset for long-term software support. Buy the Realme GT Neo 5 240W if you prioritize incredibly fast charging above all else, frequently find yourself needing to quickly replenish your battery, and are comfortable with a slightly older, but still capable, processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme GT Neo 5 240W's battery degrade quickly due to the extreme charging speed?
While concerns about battery degradation are valid with ultra-fast charging, Realme has implemented technologies like GaN chargers and optimized charging algorithms to minimize heat and protect the battery. However, long-term degradation may still be slightly higher compared to slower charging methods.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Realme GT Neo 5 prone to overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known to generate heat under sustained load. Realme likely incorporates cooling solutions like vapor chambers to mitigate this. However, the ZTE nubia Z50’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with its improved efficiency, is expected to handle thermal throttling more effectively.
❓ Does the ZTE nubia Z50 support expandable storage via microSD card?
This information is not provided. However, nubia phones historically have not included microSD card slots, so it's unlikely the Z50 does either. Consider the internal storage options carefully before purchasing.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Realme GT Neo 5 240W?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is still a very capable chipset for gaming. You can expect smooth performance in most popular titles at high settings. However, it may not achieve the same sustained frame rates as the Z50's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in demanding games.
