Nubia Z70 Ultra: A Deep Dive into a Distinctive Flagship

The Nubia Z70 Ultra, launched November 25, 2024, is Nubia’s latest high-profile flagship. It aims to offer cutting-edge features at a price that often undercuts rivals, positioning itself as one of the “most affordable Snapdragon 8 Elite phones.” This strategy targets users seeking premium capabilities without the prohibitive cost.

The Z70 Ultra stands out with its unique 35mm main camera (variable aperture), an innovative under-display selfie camera for an uninterrupted screen, the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a massive 6150mAh battery. This combination appeals to tech enthusiasts prioritizing top-tier performance, exceptional battery life, and a distinct aesthetic. Its timely release with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures it competes directly with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or OnePlus 12, aiming to disrupt traditional flagship pricing with high value-for-money.

Design & Build: A Bold Statement

The Nubia Z70 Ultra features a distinctive “blocky body” and is described as a “giant slab of a phone,” an aesthetic noted as “refreshingly bold.” Its premium feel comes from a robust aluminum frame and glass back. The “Starry Night” colorway is particularly eye-catching. An etched glass finish resembling leather on the rear offers superior grip and fingerprint resistance, combining unique aesthetics with practicality.

Measuring 164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm and weighing 228g, the Z70 Ultra is substantial. Its flat sides have “ever-so-slight bevels” for comfort. It’s heavier than some foldable phones even without a case.

Durability is enhanced by an IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance rating, allowing submersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes, and protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. This IP69 rating signifies a heightened focus on ruggedness, positioning it as a more durable option for challenging environments, aligning with its solid, “slab-like” form factor.

Nubia includes comprehensive physical controls: a power button, volume rocker, a two-stage shutter release for camera, and a customizable slider switch (for camera, flashlight, or gaming utility). An optical in-screen fingerprint sensor offers reliable unlocking, though it may be less effective with wet hands. This combination of textured glass, improved grip, and dedicated camera controls reinforces Nubia’s “retro camera vibes,” tailoring the user experience for photographers who value tactile feedback and quick camera access.

Immersive Display: Uninterrupted Visuals

The Nubia Z70 Ultra boasts a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display (2688×1216 pixels, 431 PPI) with a “buttery smooth” 144Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals. Its impressive 2000 nits peak brightness ensures comfortable viewing even in bright outdoor conditions. Second-gen Longxi Glass protects the screen.

The under-display selfie camera (UDC) is a striking feature, eliminating notches for a truly “uninterrupted viewing experience.” The camera is “largely invisible” when the display is on. While prioritizing full-screen immersion, this UDC design compromises front camera image quality, especially in challenging lighting, a key consideration for selfie users.

The AMOLED panel delivers “punchy colors and perfect blacks.” However, out-of-box color accuracy “could be better,” with colors appearing “a touch warmer,” though adjustable. PhoneArena tests show “Excellent” Bright Max (1845 nits) but “Poor” Bright Min (3.4 nits). A low 60Hz PWM flickering might cause eyestrain for sensitive users.

The 144Hz refresh rate and fast response times make the Z70 Ultra’s display highly optimized for fast-paced gaming. This synergy with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor enhances the mobile gaming experience, positioning the Z70 Ultra as a formidable contender in the gaming segment, even if not explicitly a “gaming phone.”

Performance Powerhouse: Snapdragon 8 Elite Unleashed

The Nubia Z70 Ultra is powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) SoC, featuring an octa-core CPU (two 4.32GHz Prime, six 3.53GHz Performance cores) and Adreno 830 GPU.

It offers ample RAM (12GB to 24GB) and UFS 4.0 storage (256GB to 1TB), though storage isn’t expandable.

In real-world use, the Z70 Ultra handles “everything you throw at it with supreme confidence,” including seamless multitasking and graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, running “super-smooth.” Performance is consistently “excellent” and “very high.”

Benchmark results confirm its raw power:

Despite its power, the phone “can become noticeably warm during gaming,” suggesting thermal limitations prevent full SoC utilization. AI benchmark results are “somewhat underwhelming.” This indicates that while fast for short bursts, sustained heavy use might see throttling, and AI capabilities may not be as optimized as other flagships.

Pricing and Availability

Launched November 25, 2024, the Nubia Z70 Ultra is a competitive flagship with accessible pricing.

Pricing varies by region and configuration:

Pre-order discounts of $50/£50/€50 were available initially.

Specifications Table

Here is a detailed breakdown of the Nubia Z70 Ultra’s specifications:

Camera System: A Photographer’s Unique Toolkit

The Nubia Z70 Ultra features a triple rear camera system, emphasizing unique focal lengths. The Main Camera (50 MP, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF) has a variable aperture (F1.6-4.0) and 35mm equivalent focal length, praised for “great pictures” and “creamy bokeh,” especially in street photography. However, variable aperture control is “frustratingly hidden in Pro Mode,” limiting casual access. This focus on unique lenses positions the Z70 Ultra for photography enthusiasts seeking artistic control, implying a steeper learning curve.

The Telephoto Camera (64 MP periscope, OIS, PDAF) offers 2.7x optical zoom (70mm equivalent), excellent for “candid shots with beautiful background blur” and portraits in good light, though it struggles in low light. The Ultra-wide Camera (50 MP, OIS, PDAF) provides an 18mm equivalent with a 122˚ FoV, but can “wash out colors” and lack tonal consistency.

Video capabilities include 8K UHD at 30fps and 4K UHD at 120fps, with gyro-EIS and HDR10.

The Front Camera (16 MP under-display) enables an uninterrupted screen but “lags on picture quality,” is “bad in low light,” and can be “under exposed” with an unremovable beauty filter. Overall, the Z70 Ultra’s camera system is mixed: strong in unique areas but inconsistent across the array, suggesting uneven optimization and sensor quality compared to top-tier camera phones.

Battery Life & Charging: Endurance Meets Speed

The Nubia Z70 Ultra’s “absolute monster” 6150mAh silicon-carbon battery is significantly larger than many competitors, offering a distinct endurance advantage. This translates to “two days of normal use” and “very long battery life.” PhoneArena tests show excellent longevity for browsing, gaming, and video playback.

It supports rapid 80W wired charging, getting “back in action faster than any flagship from Google, Samsung, or Apple,” with a 20% charge in 10 minutes. However, it notably lacks wireless charging, meaning users rely solely on wired power. This aggressive battery strategy prioritizes raw uptime and rapid wired top-ups over wireless convenience, appealing to users who value maximum uptime.

Software Experience: Nebula AIOS and Update Commitment

Running Android 15 with Nubia’s Nebula AIOS, the software is “relatively close to stock Android” and “bloatware-free,” though some may find it “bare-bones.” It’s noted as “better this time around,” with a clean interface.

Nubia commits to “up to 3 years of software updates, including a major upgrade to Android 16.” This policy ensures security and optimal performance but is “not on par with other brands” (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 7 OS updates). A shorter update window can lead to long-term compatibility issues, impacting security, future features, and resale value. While Nebula AIOS offers a clean experience, the limited update commitment is a significant drawback for long-term users.

Connectivity & Features: All the Essentials (and More)

The Nubia Z70 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4 (with advanced codecs). It offers comprehensive 5G support and dual Nano SIMs, but lacks eSIM functionality. Its USB Type-C 3.2 port achieves over 1 GB/s data transfer. Sensors include Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Ambient light, NFC, and an IR port.

Despite no 3.5mm headphone jack, it has stereo speakers, 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio, and Snapdragon Sound. For navigation, it offers “very good positioning” with tri-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS), Cell ID, and Wi-Fi positioning. While future-proof with Wi-Fi 7 and USB 3.2, the lack of eSIM is a functional gap compared to other flagships, indicating selective feature adoption.

The Verdict: Is the Z70 Ultra Right for You?

The Nubia Z70 Ultra is a “bold photographic powerhouse that dares to be different,” offering “flagship features at a midrange price.” It’s a “good overall package” with “top-tier hardware,” providing compelling value. It embodies “selective excellence,” excelling in key areas while compromising in others. Potential buyers should weigh their priorities against its strengths and trade-offs.

Pros:

• Unique Camera System: Distinctive 35mm main snapper with variable aperture for stunning, artistic shots.
• Immersive Display: Beautiful, uninterrupted 6.8-inch AMOLED with 144Hz refresh rate and hidden selfie camera.
• Flagship Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-notch performance for demanding tasks.
• Exceptional Battery Life & Fast Charging: Massive 6150mAh battery for multi-day use, with ultra-fast 80W wired charging.
• Robust Durability: IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance provides superior protection.
• Clean Software: Near-stock Android 15 with bloatware-free Nebula AIOS.
• Distinctive Design: Bold aesthetics and premium build, especially the Starry Night variant.
• Tactile Controls: Dedicated physical camera controls enhance photography.
• Modern Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, USB 3.2, NFC, and IR blaster for future-proof connectivity.

Cons:

• Compromised Selfie Camera: Under-display camera lags in quality, especially in low light, with unremovable beauty filters.
• Display Calibration: Out-of-box color accuracy could be better.
• Thermal Throttling: Can warm up during intense gaming, limiting sustained peak performance.
• AI Performance: Underwhelming AI benchmark scores.
• Limited Software Support: 3-year update policy is shorter than competitors.
• No Wireless Charging: Exclusively wired charging.
• No Headphone Jack: Lacks 3.5mm audio port.
• No eSIM Support: No digital SIM functionality.
• Weight: Relatively heavy device.

Ideal User Profile:

• Passionate about mobile photography and unique camera experiences.
• Desire an uninterrupted, immersive full-screen display.
• Prioritize top-tier performance and exceptional battery life with fast wired charging.
• Willing to accept compromises in selfie camera quality, lack of wireless charging, and shorter software support for a more affordable price and distinctive features.

In conclusion, the Nubia Z70 Ultra challenges the flagship market with its blend of high-end specs and distinctive features at a competitive price. Its strengths in camera innovation, display, performance, and battery are significant draws. However, be aware of trade-offs in front camera performance and software update commitment. For the right user, it’s a refreshing and powerful alternative.