ZTE's nubia series consistently delivers impressive specs at competitive prices. The nubia Z50 and Z40 Pro are prime examples, but which one reigns supreme? We're diving deep into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z50 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and faster 80W charging. While the Z40 Pro offers magnetic wireless charging and a slightly more refined design, the Z50's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| 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, February 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or eco leather back | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5 mm or 8.7 mm | 161.9 x 72.9 x 8.4 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits |
| 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 (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 12, MyOS 12 |
| 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, 512GB 12GB 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 flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 35mm (standard), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 8K, 4K | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 | 66W wired; 15W magnetic wireless (gravity version)
80W wired (regular version) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5000 mAh (regular version)· Li-Po 4600 mAh (gravity version) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red | Interstellar Black, Star Black, Silver |
| Models | NX711J | NX701J |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 500 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Faster 80W wired charging
- Likely improved camera processing
- Modern design
- Potentially less refined design than Z40 Pro
- No wireless charging (unless a variant exists)
ZTE nubia Z40 Pro
- Magnetic wireless charging (gravity version)
- Potentially more polished design
- Good camera performance
- 80W wired charging (gravity version)
- Slower Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Slower wired charging (regular version)
- Older generation processor
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, though specific details are missing). The Z50 likely has a slightly brighter display due to its newer chipset and potential panel technology. The Z40 Pro's display is known for its color accuracy. Expect vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature high-resolution main sensors (likely 50MP or higher). The Z40 Pro is known for its impressive camera system, particularly its image processing. The Z50's newer chipset should also contribute to improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance, but real-world testing is needed to confirm.
Performance
This is where the Z50 truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Z40 Pro. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the Z50. The Z40 Pro is still capable, but the Z50's chip is in a different league.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4500-5000mAh). The Z50's 80W wired charging is faster than the Z40 Pro's 66W wired charging (regular version). The Z40 Pro's gravity version offers 80W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, giving it an edge in charging versatility.
Buying Guide
The nubia Z50 is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing raw performance. The nubia Z40 Pro is a good option for those who value wireless charging convenience and a potentially more polished design, and are less concerned about having the absolute latest processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 a big upgrade over the 8 Gen 1?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant performance boost in CPU and GPU performance compared to the 8 Gen 1. You'll notice faster app loading, smoother gaming, and improved overall responsiveness.
❓ Does the nubia Z50 have wireless charging?
The standard nubia Z50 does not appear to have wireless charging. However, ZTE may offer a variant with wireless charging capabilities. Check the specific model details before purchasing.
