ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Deep Dive Comparison

The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra arrives as a performance-focused contender, boasting the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE aims to deliver a balanced flagship experience at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences, helping you determine which device best suits your priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and sustained gaming, the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and aggressive cooling solution provide a noticeable edge. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE’s exceptional battery endurance and software ecosystem make it a compelling choice for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 39, 40, 41, 38, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 212024, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 25Available. Released 2024, October 03
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.04 x 0.34 in)162 x 77.3 x 8 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· eSIM + eSIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionLongxi glass (gen 2)Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)10-core (1x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz + 3x2.6 GHz + 4x1.95 GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Exynos 2400e (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Xclipse 940
OSAndroid 15, Nebula AIOSAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 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 PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 75mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, under display10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS (G1+G5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC425W wired, PD, QC2, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6150 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, Starry Night, OrangeBlue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow
ModelsNX733J, NX736JSM-S721B, SM-S721B/DS, SM-S721U1, SM-S721U, SM-S721W, SM-S7210, SM-S721N
Price£ 499.00$ 249.74 / C$ 498.99 / £ 335.00 / € 387.00 / ₹ 34,180
SAR-0.94 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.86 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-42:00h endurance, 2000 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class A (270 falls)
Repairability-Class C

ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Shorter battery life compared to S24 FE
  • Less established brand recognition
  • No wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

  • Exceptional battery life and longevity (42:00h endurance, 2000 cycles)
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless power share
  • Well-established brand and software support

  • Less powerful Exynos 2400e chipset
  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both devices feature excellent displays, achieving nearly identical peak brightness levels at 1382 nits and 1372 nits respectively. This ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. However, the nubia Z70 Ultra’s panel likely benefits from a higher refresh rate (not specified in the data, but typical for nubia) for smoother scrolling and animations. The S24 FE’s display, while vibrant, may exhibit slightly less efficient power consumption due to the 4nm Exynos chip driving it, impacting overall battery life. The lack of LTPO specification for either device suggests both are not dynamically adjusting refresh rates for optimal power saving.

Camera Comparison

While detailed camera specs are absent, the focus should be on image processing. Samsung’s image processing is known for its vibrant, sometimes oversaturated, look, appealing to a broad audience. Nubia typically aims for a more natural color profile. The absence of sensor details makes a direct comparison difficult, but the nubia Z70 Ultra’s focus on performance suggests a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 8 Elite, potentially enabling faster image processing and better low-light performance. The 2MP macro camera on the S24 FE is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Elite utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The octa-core configuration (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is optimized for both peak performance and power efficiency, while the Exynos 2400e’s 10-core setup (1x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz + 3x2.6 GHz + 4x1.95 GHz) may struggle to maintain peak clock speeds under prolonged load. This translates to less throttling during demanding tasks like gaming and video editing on the nubia Z70 Ultra.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE boasts a remarkable 42:00h endurance and 2000 charge cycles, indicating exceptional longevity and battery health retention. While the nubia Z70 Ultra delivers a respectable 12:59h of active use, the S24 FE’s endurance is significantly higher. The S24 FE’s 25W charging, while slower than the nubia Z70 Ultra’s 80W, still offers a 50% charge in 30 minutes. The addition of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging on the S24 FE provides added convenience, features absent on the nubia Z70 Ultra.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra if you demand top-tier gaming performance, fast charging speeds, and don't mind a less mainstream brand. You'll benefit from the Snapdragon 8 Elite's power and the 80W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE if you prioritize all-day battery life, a refined software experience with guaranteed updates, and the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless power share.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2400e chip in the Galaxy S24 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2400e, being manufactured on a 4nm process, is prone to more thermal throttling than the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite in the nubia Z70 Ultra. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, expect performance to dip slightly after extended gaming sessions. The nubia Z70 Ultra is better equipped to maintain peak performance for longer.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the nubia Z70 Ultra compare to the 25W charging on the Galaxy S24 FE in real-world use?
The nubia Z70 Ultra’s 80W charging is significantly faster, allowing for a full charge in considerably less time than the S24 FE’s 25W charging. While the S24 FE still reaches 50% in 30 minutes, the nubia Z70 Ultra will likely achieve a full charge within the same timeframe. This is a key advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE worth considering?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras offer limited image quality and detail. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful addition. For serious macro photography, a dedicated macro lens with a higher resolution sensor is recommended. The nubia Z70 Ultra’s camera system, while details are missing, likely offers a more versatile and capable photography experience.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from both ZTE and Samsung?
Samsung is renowned for its robust software support, typically offering 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. ZTE’s software support is less predictable, and while they are improving, it generally doesn’t match Samsung’s commitment. This is a significant factor for users who value long-term software updates and security.