ZTE nubia Z50

Overview & Display

The ZTE nubia Z50 is a flagship-tier smartphone that brings premium performance and striking design to the table. Announced in December 2022 and running on Android 13 with MyOS 13, this device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset built on a 4nm process. The octa-core CPU is configured with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2GHz, two Cortex-A715 cores and two Cortex-A710 cores at 2.8GHz, and three Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz, all paired with the Adreno 740 GPU for exceptional graphics performance. The nubia Z50 supports comprehensive network connectivity, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, LTE, and 5G with both SA and NSA modes, ensuring broad carrier compatibility. The phone features a refined build with a glass front, aluminum frame, and a choice of glass or eco leather back. It measures 162.9 x 72.9 x 8.5mm (or 8.7mm for the eco leather variant) and weighs either 197g or 199g depending on the material selected. Dual Nano-SIM support allows for flexible usage across carriers. The centerpiece of the device is its 6.67-inch AMOLED display, which boasts one billion colors, a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels in a 20:9 aspect ratio and approximately 395 ppi density, the screen delivers crisp, vibrant visuals. The screen-to-body ratio sits at an impressive 90.4%, offering an immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming alike.

Camera & Battery

The ZTE nubia Z50 features a dual-camera system on the rear, headlined by a 64MP standard lens with a 35mm focal length, f/1.6 aperture, a 1/1.7-inch sensor, phase detection autofocus, and optical image stabilization. This is complemented by a 50MP ultrawide lens with a 14mm focal length, f/2.2 aperture, and a 116-degree field of view with autofocus capability. The camera system supports both 8K and 4K video recording and includes a distinctive Ring-LED flash with four LEDs, along with panorama and HDR features for versatile shooting scenarios. On the front, a single 16MP wide-angle selfie camera handles self-portraits and video calls, recording at 1080p at 30fps with HDR support. Powering the device is a 5000mAh Li-Po battery with 80W wired charging, allowing for rapid power replenishment. The audio experience is enhanced by stereo speakers with 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio support, delivering rich and detailed sound quality, though there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. Connectivity options are robust, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e with dual-band support and Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP and LE, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1 with OTG functionality. Positioning is handled by GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS for accurate navigation. The phone also features an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. Storage options range from 128GB with 8GB RAM up to 1TB with 16GB RAM, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology for fast data access, though there is no expandable storage via card slot.

Who Should Buy This

The ZTE nubia Z50 is an excellent choice for power users and tech enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and configurations reaching up to 16GB of RAM paired with 1TB of storage, this phone handles intensive gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding applications with ease. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the unique 35mm standard lens, which offers a distinctive perspective compared to the more common 24mm or 26mm lenses found on most smartphones, along with the capable 50MP ultrawide for expansive landscape shots. The 144Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ and 1000 nits peak brightness makes this device ideal for media consumers who enjoy streaming high-quality content or playing fast-paced games where smooth motion is critical. The 80W fast charging combined with the 5000mAh battery ensures that even heavy users can quickly recharge and stay connected throughout the day. Those who value premium build quality will find the eco leather option particularly appealing for its distinctive texture and slimmer profile. However, prospective buyers should be aware that the phone lacks expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack, so selecting the appropriate storage variant and using wireless audio solutions will be important considerations before purchase.

Pros

• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage
• Stunning 144Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ and 1000 nits brightness
• Versatile dual-camera system with 64MP OIS main and 50MP ultrawide lens
• Fast 80W wired charging with a reliable 5000mAh battery
• Premium build quality with eco leather back option and stereo speakers with Hi-Res audio

Cons

• No expandable storage via card slot
• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• No FM radio functionality
• Limited to dual rear cameras with no dedicated telephoto lens

Verdict

The ZTE nubia Z50 delivers a compelling flagship experience with its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, stunning 144Hz AMOLED display, and capable dual-camera system. While the absence of expandable storage and a headphone jack may deter some buyers, the premium build quality, fast charging, and robust performance make it a strong contender in the flagship smartphone segment.