ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12R: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Snapdragon Powerhouses
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing absolute performance and display brightness, the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra is the winner. However, the OnePlus 12R offers exceptional battery life and faster charging, making it the more practical choice for everyday users who value longevity and convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra | OnePlus 12R |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 39, 40, 41, 38, 42, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 21 | 2024, January 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 25 | Available. Released 2024, February 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Longxi glass (gen 2) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 15, Nebula AIOS | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6-4.0, 35mm (standard), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.5, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, multi-directional PDAF (15cm - ∞), OIS, 2.7x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, multi-directional PDAF | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, under display | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS (G1+G5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 100W wired, 100% in 26 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6150 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Starry Night, Orange | Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune |
| Models | NX733J, NX736J | CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611 |
| Price | £ 499.00 | € 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra
- Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
- Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
- Potentially superior camera system
- Shorter battery life compared to OnePlus 12R
- Slower charging speed (80W vs 100W)
OnePlus 12R
- Exceptional battery life (14:32h active use)
- Ultra-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 26 minutes)
- Excellent value for the performance offered
- Less powerful processor than Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Lower peak display brightness
Display Comparison
The nubia Z70 Ultra boasts a display capable of reaching 1382 nits of peak brightness, significantly outshining the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the nubia’s higher brightness and potentially more advanced panel calibration (though not specified) provide a more vibrant and readable experience. The absence of LTPO specification for either phone means variable refresh rate efficiency is unknown, but both likely implement it to conserve power. Bezels are assumed to be similar given the market segment, but the nubia’s focus on a larger screen may result in slightly wider borders.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the nubia Z70 Ultra’s positioning suggests a greater emphasis on camera capabilities, potentially featuring a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing. The OnePlus 12R, while likely offering a competent camera system, is expected to prioritize overall value. The absence of information regarding OIS and lens apertures makes a definitive assessment impossible, but the nubia’s flagship status hints at superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. We can safely assume both phones include standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially telephoto lenses, but the nubia is likely to offer more advanced features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the nubia Z70 Ultra features the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), while the OnePlus 12R utilizes the SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite theoretically offers improved power efficiency and transistor density compared to the 4nm Gen 2. The nubia’s CPU configuration – 2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M – suggests a focus on sustained performance, while the OnePlus 12R’s 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 configuration balances peak performance with efficiency. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the nubia’s superior chipset should translate to faster application loading and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 12R takes a clear lead in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 14:32h compared to the nubia Z70 Ultra’s 12:59h. This suggests better power management or a more efficient chipset combination. While the nubia Z70 Ultra supports 80W wired charging, the OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging, capable of a full charge in just 26 minutes, offers significantly faster replenishment. The OnePlus 12R’s advantage in charging speed and battery life makes it the more convenient option for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra if you demand the latest processor technology, need a display that cuts through glare, and are willing to trade some battery life for peak performance. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, incredibly fast 100W charging, and a refined user experience without sacrificing significant performance.