The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two compelling contenders against each other: the ZTE nubia Z50 and the Xiaomi Poco F5. Both offer impressive features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z50 boasts a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, delivering superior performance. However, the Poco F5 shines with its exceptional battery life, vibrant display, and faster charging. Ultimately, the Z50 is for performance enthusiasts, while the F5 is a fantastic all-rounder offering incredible value.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 19 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 26 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or eco leather back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.7 mm | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits | AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 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 (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K, 4K | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | NX711J | 23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I |
| Price | About 400 EUR | € 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
ZTE nubia Z50
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Sleek design (assumed)
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potentially higher price
- Less information available on camera specifics
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Exceptional battery life
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast 67W charging
- Excellent value for money
- Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset (less powerful than Z50)
- Camera may not be as high-end as Z50
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 takes the display crown. While the nubia Z50 likely has a good AMOLED panel, the Poco F5's measured 963 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide a significantly more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The Poco F5's display is noticeably better for outdoor use and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a bit more nuanced. Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. However, given the Z50's higher-end chipset, it likely has better image processing capabilities. The Poco F5's camera is likely very good for the price, but the Z50 has the potential for slightly better image quality.
Performance
The nubia Z50's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the clear winner here. It's a flagship chipset, offering significantly more processing power than the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games. The Z50 is built for high-end performance.
Battery Life
The Poco F5 dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 118h is exceptional, and the active use score of 11:52h is impressive. The nubia Z50, while having a decent battery, doesn't match the Poco F5's longevity. The F5's 67W charging also provides a faster charging experience (46 minutes to 100%).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE nubia Z50? Gamers and power users who prioritize raw performance and don't mind potentially sacrificing some battery life. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F5? Users seeking a well-rounded phone with excellent battery life, a bright display, and fast charging, all at an attractive price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE nubia Z50 is the better choice for gaming due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Poco F5 offers significantly better battery life, lasting much longer on a single charge.
❓ Is the nubia Z50 worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance above all else, the nubia Z50's flagship chipset might justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Poco F5 offers incredible value.
