ZTE nubia Z50 vs vivo iQOO 11: A Flagship Showdown

Both the ZTE nubia Z50 and the vivo iQOO 11 pack the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, promising top-tier performance. But beyond the shared silicon, these phones offer distinct experiences. This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one deserves your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 11 takes the lead with its blazing-fast 120W charging, brighter display, and potentially superior camera system. However, the nubia Z50 might offer a more refined design and potentially a better software experience, depending on regional variations. Ultimately, the iQOO 11 prioritizes speed and display, while the nubia Z50 aims for a more balanced approach.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE nubia Z50	vivo iQOO 11

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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International
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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA 800	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China

Launch
Announced	2022, December 19	2022, December 08
Status	Available. Released 2022, December 26	Available. Released 2022, December 08

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	164.9 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz)	205 g or 208 g (7.23 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits	LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 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, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 3 (China)

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 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
	UFS 4.0 UFS 3.1 (128GB only)	UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB

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, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video	8K, 4K	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
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, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	80W wired	120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 25 min
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red	Black, Green, White (BMW M branding)
Models	NX711J	V2243A
Price	About 400 EUR	About 650 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 127h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 1281665 (v9) GeekBench: 4803 (v5.1) GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Z50

Potentially cleaner software experience
Sleek design
Competitive performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
80W fast charging

Less information available on camera
Lower peak brightness display compared to iQOO 11
Slower charging than iQOO 11

vivo iQOO 11

Blazing-fast 120W charging
Brighter and higher contrast display
Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Strong camera capabilities (generally)

Software experience can be polarizing (vivo's Funtouch OS)
Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The iQOO 11 boasts a significantly brighter display, measured at 1147 nits peak brightness, compared to the nubia Z50's unspecified brightness. The iQOO 11 also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent image quality. While the nubia Z50 likely has a good display, the iQOO 11 clearly has an edge in visual performance.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited for both phones in the provided specs. However, the iQOO 11 is generally known for its strong camera capabilities, often featuring a high-resolution main sensor and advanced image processing. The nubia Z50's camera is likely competent, but may not match the iQOO 11's overall photographic prowess.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, ensuring flagship-level performance. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and thermal management. The iQOO 11's cooling system is often praised for maintaining peak performance during extended gaming sessions, potentially giving it a slight advantage.

Battery Life

The iQOO 11's endurance rating of 127h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. Coupled with its 120W charging, it can be fully charged in just 25 minutes. The nubia Z50's 80W charging is still fast, but not as rapid as the iQOO 11. Battery life is likely comparable in typical usage, but the iQOO 11 offers significantly faster replenishment.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Z50 is ideal for users who prioritize a sleek design, potentially a cleaner software experience (depending on region), and a well-rounded flagship experience. The vivo iQOO 11 is perfect for gamers and power users who demand the fastest charging speeds, a vibrant display, and a focus on performance above all else.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?

The vivo iQOO 11 has a higher endurance rating (127h) and significantly faster charging (120W) than the nubia Z50 (80W), making it the winner in this category.

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 enough for gaming?

Yes, both phones are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is a flagship-level chipset capable of handling demanding games at high settings. The iQOO 11's cooling system may provide a slight advantage during extended gaming sessions.