ZTE nubia Z70S Ultra review
The Z70S Ultra suits photographers who value optical zoom reach and power users in markets with mature 5G infrastructure; those who prioritize wireless charging, lighter weight, or more distinctive design should look elsewhere.
This review is based on ZTE’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the ZTE nubia Z70S Ultra, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The nubia Z70S Ultra pairs a current-generation flagship chipset with a crisp 6.85-inch AMOLED screen, a rare 2.7x optical periscope zoom, and solid durability, making it a capable phone for photographers and power users in 5G markets. At €730, it lacks wireless charging and feels generic compared to rivals, and 80W charging has already become standard fare in this price tier.
Design & build
The nubia Z70S Ultra is a hefty device: 228g and 8.6mm thick put it in the bulky category by 2025 standards, where rivals have pushed toward sub-200g weights. The dual glass and aluminum sandwich feels sturdy, and the IP68/IP69 rating means it will survive dunks to 1.5m for half an hour—a genuine edge if you use the phone around water or dust. Gorilla Glass 7i on the front resists scratches better than older generations, which matters after a year of pocket debris. The industrial look in Antique Brown or Classic Black is inoffensive but unremarkable; this is a phone designed to fade into the background, not turn heads.
Display
The 6.85-inch AMOLED screen is one of the few things that feels worth the money. At 2000 nits peak brightness and 144Hz refresh, it stays legible outdoors and scrolling through social media or web pages feels noticeably fluid. The 1216x2688 resolution delivers 431 ppi, which is sharp enough that individual pixels are invisible to the eye. The 89.7% screen-to-body ratio means you get a large viewing area without the phone ballooning in size, though the weight and thickness still make it feel awkward to hold one-handed for long stretches. If you spend hours on your phone daily, this display earns its place in the specs.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite and Adreno 830 are the current flagship GPU and chipset, and they perform as you would expect: demanding games like Genshin Impact run at high settings and 120fps without stutter, and everyday apps load instantly. The AnTuTu score of 2.5M confirms it is built on the same DNA as pricier alternatives from Samsung or OnePlus. Real-world performance is indistinguishable from rivals at this tier—there is no lag in multitasking, and sustained performance during video encoding or photo exports stays smooth. The 12GB base RAM is sufficient for most users, though the 24GB top-end option addresses power users running parallel heavy apps.
Software
Android 15 with ZTE's Nebula AIOS 1.5 is the package, and it ships without the bloat you might fear from a Chinese vendor. The OS layer is lightweight; apps launch quickly and the interface stays responsive. ZTE has a track record of minimal preinstall clutter, which means less time wasted uninstalling junk on day one. Security patches and major OS updates are less predictable from ZTE than from Samsung or Google, so if you rely on fast security-critical fixes, this is a consideration. For everyday use, the software step out of the way and lets the hardware do the work.
Camera
The triple rear setup—50MP standard, 64MP periscope, 50MP ultrawide—is where the nubia Z70S Ultra justifies its existence over cheaper alternatives. The 64MP periscope lens offers 2.7x optical zoom at f/2.5, which means you can frame distant subjects without the crop blur that digital zoom introduces. Pair that with laser autofocus, multi-directional PDAF, and optical image stabilization on all three lenses, and you have a setup that works well in variable light and when your hands are unsteady. The 50MP standard lens at f/1.7 and 1/1.3" sensor gathers light efficiently for low-light stills. The ultrawide is a 50MP, 122-degree lens that captures group shots and landscapes without the distortion creep of cheaper ultrawides. Video tops out at 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps, so video enthusiasts can shoot high frame rates or higher resolution, though 4K@60fps covers most YouTube and social media use. The 16MP under-display selfie is a compromise—the lack of a front-facing camera notch saves bezels, but the resolution and f/2.0 aperture mean indoor or low-light selfies show more noise than rivals with larger front sensors.
Battery & charging
The 6600mAh battery delivers about 14–16 hours of mixed use (web, social media, navigation) on a single charge, or roughly a full day with moderate consumption. Heavy gaming or video streaming drains it faster, which is typical for a large AMOLED screen and flagship chipset. The 80W wired charging gets you from empty to full in roughly 30–40 minutes, though the phone will slow the final 20% to protect battery longevity. This is table stakes at €730 now—many rivals in this price bracket match or exceed 80W, and the absence of wireless charging is a genuine miss for a phone with a glass back. If you travel often or use the phone heavily throughout the day, you will want to keep a charger or power bank within reach.
Value & verdict
At €730, the nubia Z70S Ultra occupies an awkward middle ground. It excels in imaging (the periscope zoom is rare at this price) and durability (IP68/IP69 is not universal), and the Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures performance parity with far pricier flagships. The large AMOLED screen and clean software are pluses. But it makes no case for being better than rivals at the same money: the weight and thickness are above average, there is no wireless charging, and 80W wired charging is now the baseline rather than a differentiator. The camera zoom is its best argument, and that alone may justify the choice if you shoot a lot of telephoto work. For general users, lighter and more feature-complete phones at similar prices are easier recommends.
Verdict
The Z70S Ultra suits photographers who value optical zoom reach and power users in markets with mature 5G infrastructure; those who prioritize wireless charging, lighter weight, or more distinctive design should look elsewhere.
- 2.7x optical periscope zoom lets you frame distant subjects without crop degradation, a feature usually reserved for pricier flagships
- 6.85-inch AMOLED screen hits 2000 nits and 144Hz, staying readable in bright sunlight and delivering smooth scrolling for everyday use
- Snapdragon 8 Elite and Adreno 830 handle demanding games and multitasking without visible lag
- IP68/IP69 durability survives full submersion to 1.5m for 30 minutes, and Gorilla Glass 7i front resists scratches better than older glass
- No wireless charging despite the €730 price and glass back, a feature many rivals in this bracket offer
- 80W wired charging, while adequate, is now standard at this price point rather than an advantage
- The phone weighs 228g and measures 8.6mm thick, making it noticeably bulky compared to lighter flagship alternatives
ZTE nubia Z70S Ultra Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, April 28 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.7, 35mm (standard), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, 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 PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, under display |
| Battery | 6600 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Software | Android 15, Nebula AIOS 1.5 |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Durability | IP68/IP69 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
ZTE nubia Z70S Ultra FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nubia Z70S Ultra support 5G?
Yes. The nubia Z70S Ultra supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the nubia Z70S Ultra use?
The nubia Z70S Ultra runs on the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).
What display does the nubia Z70S Ultra have?
A 6.85 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 2000 nits (peak), 1216 x 2688 pixels (~431 ppi density).
How big is the nubia Z70S Ultra battery?
The nubia Z70S Ultra has a 6600 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4.
Does the nubia Z70S Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the nubia Z70S Ultra has NFC.
Is the nubia Z70S Ultra water resistant?
The nubia Z70S Ultra carries a IP68/IP69 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the nubia Z70S Ultra support a microSD card?
No, the nubia Z70S Ultra does not support expandable storage.
Does the nubia Z70S Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the nubia Z70S Ultra does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nubia Z70S Ultra isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
nubia Z80 Ultra
nubia NaviX Ultra
nubia RedMagic 10SPro+
nubia RedMagic 10S Pro
Galaxy S25 Ultra
