ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra vs vivo X100 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra and vivo X100 Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The nubia Z70 Ultra leverages Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, prioritizing raw processing power, while the vivo X100 Pro champions MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300, aiming for a balance of performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 1382 nits peak brightness offer a slight edge. However, the vivo X100 Pro’s superior battery life and faster charging make it a compelling alternative for those valuing longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra vivo X100 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
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, 25, 26, 28, 34, 39, 40, 41, 38, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 212023, November 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 25Available. Released 2023, November 21
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.04 x 0.34 in)164.1 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm or 9.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)221 g or 225 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionLongxi glass (gen 2)-
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~452 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Immortalis-G720 MC12
OSAndroid 15, Nebula AIOSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, Funtouch 15 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, LED flash, panorama, HDR, 3D LUT import
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, 23mm (wide), 1/0.98", 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.5, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, PDAF (18cm - ∞), OIS, 4.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, under display32 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS (G1+G5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
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/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4100W wired, 50% in 14 min 50W wireless Reverse wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6150 mAhLi-Ion 5400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, Starry Night, OrangeStartrail Blue, Asteroid Black, Sunset Orange, White
ModelsNX733J, NX736JV2324A, V2309
Price£ 499.00₹ 59,999
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra

  • Potentially higher peak CPU/GPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility (1382 nits)
  • Faster wired charging standard (PD3.0, QC4)

  • Shorter battery life in active use
  • Limited charging options (no wireless)
  • Camera specs unknown

vivo X100 Pro

  • Longer battery life (13:53h active use)
  • Faster wired and wireless charging
  • Reverse wired charging for accessories

  • Potentially lower peak CPU/GPU performance
  • Slightly dimmer display (1472 nits)
  • Reliance on MediaTek's image processing

Display Comparison

The vivo X100 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1472 nits compared to the nubia Z70 Ultra’s 1382 nits. This difference translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (though not explicitly stated), the X100 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use. The absence of detailed color accuracy data prevents a full assessment, but both are expected to deliver vibrant and accurate visuals typical of flagship devices.

Camera Comparison

The provided data highlights the vivo X100 Pro’s focus on camera capabilities, simply stating 'Photo / Video'. While the nubia Z70 Ultra’s camera specs are absent, the X100 Pro’s likely features a sophisticated camera system, potentially including a large main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. Without detailed sensor information for the nubia, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The X100 Pro’s inclusion of 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging suggests a focus on user convenience and ecosystem integration, potentially extending to camera-related accessories.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (SM8750-AB), built on a 3nm process, features an octa-core configuration with Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz. This architecture is designed for peak performance. Conversely, the vivo X100 Pro utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 (4nm), employing a different core arrangement – one Cortex-X4 at 3.25 GHz, three more Cortex-X4 cores at 2.85 GHz, and four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0 GHz. While the Dimensity 9300’s core count is higher, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon cores and 3nm fabrication process suggest a potential advantage in single-core and sustained performance, though real-world testing is needed to confirm. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the specific speed isn't provided.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the vivo X100 Pro takes a clear lead. Its active use score of 13:53h surpasses the nubia Z70 Ultra’s 12:59h. This difference, while not massive, is significant for all-day usage. The X100 Pro also offers faster charging with 100W wired (reaching 50% in 14 minutes) and 50W wireless charging, while the nubia Z70 Ultra is limited to 80W wired. The X100 Pro’s charging capabilities provide a substantial convenience advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra if you need uncompromising CPU and GPU performance for gaming or demanding applications, and appreciate a display that cuts through glare. Buy the vivo X100 Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life, faster charging speeds (including wireless), and a potentially more refined camera experience, even if it means a slight trade-off in peak processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9300 in the vivo X100 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling under sustained load?
While the Dimensity 9300 is a powerful chipset, its 4nm process isn't as efficient as the Snapdragon 8 Elite's 3nm node. This *could* lead to more noticeable thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. However, vivo's cooling solutions may mitigate this issue, and real-world testing is needed to assess the extent of throttling.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the nubia Z70 Ultra compare to the 100W charging on the vivo X100 Pro in terms of real-world charging speed?
Although the vivo X100 Pro has a higher peak charging wattage (100W vs 80W), the difference in actual charging time may not be dramatic. The nubia Z70 Ultra supports PD3.0 and QC4, which optimize charging efficiency. The X100 Pro reaches 50% in 14 minutes, suggesting a relatively fast charge curve, but a full 0-100% comparison would be needed to quantify the difference.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra a significant drawback for users accustomed to this feature?
For users heavily reliant on wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the nubia Z70 Ultra is a notable omission. The vivo X100 Pro’s 50W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially for quick top-ups. This makes the X100 Pro a more versatile option for those who frequently use wireless charging pads.