ZTE's nubia Z50 series has arrived, offering compelling specs and features at competitive prices. But with two models – the Z50 and the Z50 Ultra – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will break down the differences to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Z50 Ultra offers a significant upgrade in camera capabilities and potentially faster charging due to PD3.0/QC4 support, justifying its higher price for photography enthusiasts. However, the nubia Z50 remains a strong contender with excellent performance and a more accessible price point for everyday 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 | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 19 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 26 | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| 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 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g or 199 g (6.95 oz) | 228 g (8.04 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 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, MyOS 13 |
| 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, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 4.0
UFS 3.1 (128GB only) | UFS 4.0 |
| 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 | Laser AF, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam)
50 MP, f/2.X, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF |
| Video | 8K, 4K | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1+L2+L5), 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/6e, 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 | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Mint, Rabit red | Black, Silver, Starry Sky |
| Models | NX711J | NX712J |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 540 EUR |
ZTE nubia Z50
- Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Competitive price
- Solid battery life
- Camera performance may be a step down from the Ultra
- Charging speed potentially slightly slower than Ultra
- Design might be less premium than Ultra
ZTE nubia Z50 Ultra
- Exceptional camera system (likely with a 1-inch sensor)
- Flagship performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Potentially faster charging with PD3.0/QC4
- Premium design and build quality
- Higher price
- May have slightly shorter battery life under heavy use
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a vibrant AMOLED display, likely with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Z50 Ultra may boast a slightly higher peak brightness or a more advanced display technology (e.g., LTPO) for improved power efficiency and color accuracy, though official details are needed. Expect excellent viewing angles and color reproduction on both.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Z50 Ultra truly shines. While the Z50 likely has a capable camera setup, the Ultra is expected to feature a significantly upgraded main sensor (potentially a 1-inch sensor), improved telephoto lens, and enhanced image processing capabilities. Expect superior low-light performance, better dynamic range, and more detailed photos from the Ultra.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, ensuring flagship-level performance. Real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal for most tasks. However, the Z50 Ultra might have slightly better thermal management due to a potentially larger vapor chamber, allowing it to sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding games or tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh). The Z50 Ultra's support for PD3.0 and QC4 may allow for slightly faster charging speeds, although both are rated at 80W wired charging. Battery life should be comparable in typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Z50 is ideal for users seeking a high-performance phone with a great display and solid battery life without breaking the bank. The nubia Z50 Ultra is best suited for photography lovers and those who prioritize the absolute best camera experience and potentially faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the main difference between the nubia Z50 and Z50 Ultra?
The primary difference lies in the camera system. The Z50 Ultra features a significantly upgraded camera, likely including a larger sensor and improved lenses, while the Z50 offers a more standard camera setup.
❓ Does the nubia Z50 Ultra support faster charging?
Yes, the Z50 Ultra supports PD3.0 and QC4 charging standards, which may allow for slightly faster charging speeds compared to the Z50's 80W wired charging.
