ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14T Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra and Xiaomi 14T Pro represent compelling choices in the high-end Android space. The nubia Z70 Ultra leverages Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, while the Xiaomi 14T Pro counters with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300+. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on real-world performance, battery endurance, and charging capabilities to help you choose the right flagship.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly brighter display, the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra emerges as the winner. However, the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s significantly faster 120W charging and wireless charging capabilities make it a strong contender for those who value convenience and rapid power-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra Xiaomi 14T 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
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, 48, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
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, September 26
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Panda X)
Dimensions164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.04 x 0.34 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· eSIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g (8.04 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
Display
ProtectionLongxi glass (gen 2)Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.4 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, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLeica lens, Ultra HDR, LED 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/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 60mm (telephoto), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF, 2.6x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24/30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, 10-bit Rec. 2020, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, under display32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.44", 0.64µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR10+
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, LHDC
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS (G1+G5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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/7, dual-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, QC4120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless, 100% in 45 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6150 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, Starry Night, OrangeTitan Gray, Titan Blue, Titan Black
ModelsNX733J, NX736J2407FPN8EG
Price£ 499.00$ 550.00 / £ 498.00 / € 539.99
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra

  • Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Slightly longer battery life in testing

  • Slower charging speed (80W wired only)
  • No wireless charging support

Xiaomi 14T Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging (19 minutes)
  • Convenient 50W wireless charging
  • Competitive performance with Dimensity 9300+

  • Slightly dimmer display
  • Potentially higher thermal output under sustained load

Display Comparison

The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra boasts a display capable of reaching 1382 nits of peak brightness, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 1228 nits. While both displays support PD3.0 and QC4, the higher peak brightness of the nubia Z70 Ultra provides a more comfortable viewing experience outdoors. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate) are missing, but both are expected to offer smooth scrolling and efficient power consumption. The difference in brightness is noticeable, benefiting users who spend significant time outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the focus should be on sensor size and image processing. Both phones likely feature multi-camera systems, but the absence of information regarding sensor resolution and aperture makes it difficult to assess image quality. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is crucial for stable video recording and low-light photography, and its implementation on both devices would be a key differentiator. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on many phones, the primary sensor’s capabilities will dictate the overall camera experience.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra utilizes the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) with an octa-core CPU configuration (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M). This architecture, built on a 3nm process, promises excellent performance and efficiency. The Xiaomi 14T Pro, however, features the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm). While the Dimensity 9300+ employs a different core configuration (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720), the larger 4nm node suggests potentially higher power consumption and thermal output under sustained load. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon cores are designed for peak performance, potentially giving the nubia Z70 Ultra an edge in CPU-intensive tasks.

Battery Life

Both devices offer competitive battery life, with the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra achieving an active use score of 12:59h and the Xiaomi 14T Pro at 12:32h. The difference is minimal in real-world usage. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Xiaomi 14T Pro supports 120W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes, alongside 50W wireless charging (45 minutes). The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra is limited to 80W wired charging, lacking wireless charging support. This makes the Xiaomi 14T Pro significantly more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra if you need uncompromising CPU performance for demanding tasks like video editing or emulation, and value a brighter screen for outdoor visibility. Buy the Xiaomi 14T Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds, both wired and wireless, and frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9300+ in the Xiaomi 14T Pro tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9300+ is a powerful chipset, the 4nm process node may lead to higher thermal output compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm node. Expect some throttling during extended gaming, but Xiaomi likely employs cooling solutions to mitigate this. Real-world testing is needed to determine the extent of thermal throttling.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra compare to the 120W charging on the Xiaomi 14T Pro in terms of actual charging time?
The Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 120W charging is significantly faster, achieving a full charge in 19 minutes. The ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra’s 80W charging will take considerably longer, likely around 45-60 minutes for a full charge. This difference is substantial for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra a significant drawback?
For users accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra is a notable omission. The Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 50W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative to wired charging, making it a more versatile option for some.