ZTE nubia Z50S Pro vs. vivo X90 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro and vivo X90 Pro+ represent compelling choices in the high-end Android space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The nubia Z50S Pro leverages the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2, offering a balance of power and efficiency, while the X90 Pro+ opts for the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, alongside a focus on camera capabilities and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right flagship.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X90 Pro+ emerges as the stronger overall package. While the nubia Z50S Pro delivers excellent battery life with its 12:29h active use score, the X90 Pro+'s superior camera system, coupled with 50W wireless charging and a slightly refined chipset, justifies the price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z50S Pro vivo X90 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, July 202022, November 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 27Available. Released 2022, December 06
Body
BuildGlass front, silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~452 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740 (719 MHz)Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, MyOS 13, no planned android upgradesAndroid 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 125˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF
Single-32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, 10-bit8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Battery
Charging80W wired80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5100 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Khaki, Silver/WhiteBlack, Red
ModelsNX713JV2227A
PriceAbout 800 EURAbout 1030 EUR

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (12:29h active use)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 processor
  • Competitive 80W wired charging

  • Missing camera details raise concerns
  • No wireless charging support

vivo X90 Pro+

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Superior camera system (expected)
  • 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging

  • Battery life may be slightly lower than nubia Z50S Pro
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both devices feature high-quality displays, but the nubia Z50S Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1029 nits. While the X90 Pro+ likely achieves similar or higher brightness levels (data unavailable), the nubia's confirmed figure is impressive. The absence of LTPO information for either device means we can't assess adaptive refresh rate efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable given both phones target a premium aesthetic. Color accuracy is expected to be excellent on both, typical of flagship panels.

Camera Comparison

The vivo X90 Pro+ is expected to significantly outperform the nubia Z50S Pro in camera capabilities, though detailed sensor information for the nubia is missing. The X90 Pro+ is known for its exceptional image processing and high-quality sensors. While both phones likely offer versatile camera systems, the X90 Pro+'s focus on camera technology positions it as the superior choice for photography enthusiasts. The absence of details on the nubia's camera system makes a precise comparison difficult, but it's unlikely to match the X90 Pro+'s reputation.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the nubia Z50S Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (SM8550-AC), while the X90 Pro+ features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AB). Both are 4nm chips with identical CPU core configurations – 1x Cortex-X3, 2x Cortex-A715, 2x Cortex-A710, and 3x Cortex-A510. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the X90 Pro+ has a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (3.2 GHz vs 3.36 GHz on the nubia), and benefits from architectural improvements in the GPU and NPU, leading to marginally better sustained performance and efficiency. The X90 Pro+ also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM, though specifics are unavailable.

Battery Life

The nubia Z50S Pro shines with its impressive 12:29h active use battery score, indicating excellent real-world endurance. The X90 Pro+’s battery capacity is unknown, but its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is more power-efficient. Both support 80W wired charging, with the X90 Pro+ advertising a full charge in 33 minutes. Crucially, the X90 Pro+ adds 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, offering greater convenience and versatility – features absent on the nubia Z50S Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro if you prioritize maximizing battery life and value for money. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 provides ample performance for demanding tasks, and the 80W charging is respectable. Buy the vivo X90 Pro+ if you demand the best possible camera experience, appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, and are willing to pay a premium for the latest Snapdragon chipset and its associated refinements.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 in the nubia Z50S Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 is known for its excellent thermal efficiency. While throttling is inevitable under sustained load, the 8+ Gen 2 generally manages heat better than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and should provide a consistently smooth gaming experience on the nubia Z50S Pro.
❓ How does the 50W wireless charging on the vivo X90 Pro+ compare to the 80W wired charging in terms of actual charging speed?
While 80W wired charging is faster overall, 50W wireless charging offers a convenient top-up option. Expect a full wireless charge on the X90 Pro+ to take around an hour, while a wired charge takes approximately 33 minutes. The convenience of wireless charging often outweighs the slightly slower speed for many users.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications for the nubia Z50S Pro a cause for concern?
Yes, it is. In the flagship space, transparency regarding camera sensors and lenses is crucial. The absence of this information suggests the camera system may not be a primary selling point for the Z50S Pro, and potential buyers should proceed with caution.