Nubia Z70S Ultra Review: Why Does This Phone Exist?

Worth When Reviewed

Unavailable within the US

Finest Costs At present: Nubia Z70S Extremely

Earlier this 12 months, the Nubia Z70 Extremely supplied us with an early glimpse on the efficiency potential of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. What was actually exceptional was that it managed to take action at a sub-flagship worth with out too many overt compromises.

It was a worthwhile advance over the Nubia Z60 Extremely earlier than it, which made me intrigued to contemplate the Nubia Z70S Extremely. If the model can additional refine this formulation with out pumping up the mid-range worth, we may get nearer to that true flagship killer standing that a number of smaller manufacturers have been vying for.

At first look, nevertheless, it’s troublesome to see what’s modified. The massive, blocky design is way the identical, albeit with a brand new classic digital camera end. There’s additionally the identical Snapdragon 8 Elite chip onboard.

Nevertheless, the battery has gotten larger, and there are a few noteworthy tweaks to the digital camera set-up.

So, is the Nubia Z70S Extremely a greater cellphone than the Nubia Z70 Extremely? Does it even must exist?

Design & Construct

• Related slab-like design to Z70 Extremely
• IP68/69 certification
• Devoted digital camera button and mappable slider

Unsurprisingly, given its S-status, the Nubia Z70S Extremely seems and feels an terrible lot just like the Z70 Extremely. It’s the identical primary design, with the identical cumbersome dimensions (164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6mm) and weight (228g).

It stays distinctive from different smartphones, nevertheless, with its massive sq. digital camera module and signature flashes of pink. If something, Nubia has made the Z70S Extremely look extra like a retro digital camera than it did earlier than, with a faux-leather end and a silver metal-effect band throughout the principle digital camera.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

The mannequin I’m utilizing is the Traditional Black, however the Vintage Brown model (solely accessible on the highest spec) seems much more like a basic digital camera.

All in all, I just like the idea of utilizing such stunning and tactile units as inspiration, however I’m not so certain Nubia has fairly nailed the temporary. It doesn’t fairly have that finely machined look or really feel to it, although the return of a mixed IP68 and IP69 score definitely suggests it’s constructed nicely.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Going again to that concept of tactile controls, the 2 additional {hardware} buttons from the Z70 Extremely make a return. There’s a devoted two-stage digital camera shutter button on the fitting edge (in a way more pure place than the iPhone 16’s Digicam Management), and a slider swap on the left-hand edge.

It’s set to launch the digital camera by default, although this nonetheless seems like a waste when the aforementioned shutter button does the identical factor. It’s greatest remapped to a mute swap operate, I discovered, or to the torch.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.85-inch 1.5K AMOLED show
• Speedy 144Hz peak refresh charge
• Stereo audio system

The Nubia Z70 Extremely’s 6.85-inch AMOLED show represented a substantial enchancment over that of the Nubia Z60 Extremely, so it’s neither a shock nor a criticism to say that there have been no adjustments.

That is precisely the identical panel, with the identical 1216 x 2688 (aka 1.5K) decision, and the identical eye-catchingly fast 144Hz refresh charge.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

The latter has at all times come throughout as a little bit of a gimmick to me. Even on devoted gaming telephones, the place such an inclusion is arguably justified, the overwhelming majority of video games gained’t benefit from this speedy refresh charge.

You’re nonetheless getting a peak brightness of 2000 nits in HDR conditions. It’s nowhere close to the highest of the smartphone league desk, however ought to nonetheless show ample on brilliant days.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Maybe essentially the most placing factor about all of those Nubia telephones is the shortage of a show notch to get in the best way of your media content material. An under-display entrance digital camera would possibly nicely wreck your selfies (extra on that later), but it surely additionally makes for essentially the most blissfully unimpeded image this facet of the Sony Xperia 1 VII.

Stereo audio system make a return, certainly one of which is downward-facing going through like many telephones. They’re not elite stage, and so they’re slightly missing in low-end rumble, however they get sufficiently loud and clear.

Specs & Efficiency

• Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite
• As much as 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
• Precisely the identical prime efficiency

Often, whenever you consider an ’S’ cellphone, you count on one thing in the best way of a efficiency bump over the unique. Not so right here.

The Nubia Z70S Extremely runs on precisely the identical Snapdragon 8 Elite – and never even the Main Model that has made its approach into Nubia’s newest gaming cellphone, the Redmagic 10S Professional. I’m slightly stunned about this.

If something, this can be a slight (and I do imply slight) downgrade, with 24GB of RAM not an possibility. All you get is the selection of 12- or 16GB, however that’s lots.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

In sensible phrases, none of this makes a jot of distinction. That is one other speedy performer, with benchmark take a look at outcomes touchdown precisely the place we’d count on them to – proper up there with the OnePlus 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Judging GPU efficiency is trickier, as Nubia telephones invariably underperform on GFX Bench. It’s evidently one thing to do with how their telephones interface with the app reasonably than any GPU subject, because the cellphone scores nicely on different GPU assessments, and runs high-end 3D video games impeccably, so bear this in thoughts when wanting on the chart beneath.

With regards to sustained efficiency, the Nubia Z70S Extremely overheated and crashed within the 3DMark Photo voltaic Bay Stress Check. You’ll be higher off with the Redmagic 10S Professional (additionally from Nubia) with its bodily cooling fan if you’d like excellent sustained gaming efficiency.

Nubia Z70S Extremely benchmarks

Digicam

• Bigger 50Mp predominant digital camera, no variable aperture
• 64Mp 3.3x telephoto
• 50Mp ultra-wide
• Dangerous 16Mp in-display selfie cam

There are two key methods during which the Nubia Z70S Extremely differentiates itself from its predecessor, and a type of pertains to its predominant digital camera.

It nonetheless packs a 50MP sensor, however this time it’s bigger at 1/1.3-inch (vs 1/1.56-inch within the Z70 Extremely). Bigger sensors, after all, enable extra mild in, which has optimistic repercussions for night time photographs and basic picture high quality.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

This new sensor loses the Z70 Extremely’s variable aperture, so it’s fastened at f/1.7. That at all times appeared like a little bit of gimmick to me, so it’s no nice loss.

I’d like to say that picture high quality has taken an enormous step ahead, however I’d nonetheless say that it’s simply nice. In ideally suited lighting circumstances, it might seize sharp, vibrant photographs. The colors are maybe slightly on the exaggerated facet, but it surely’s a glance that lots of people like.

Nevertheless, I discovered the digital camera to be slightly inconsistent, often flubbing a shot utterly. One close-up of some pink flowers supplied a particularly grainy shot with horribly oversaturated flowers. As with the Z70 Extremely, I ponder if the AI shot selector – which is energetic by default – is kind of as much as scratch right here.

Night time mode kicks in mechanically, by default, and produces strong element and a fairly pure stage of shade in low lighting.

The 64MP telephoto combines with that predominant sensor to create some sharp, balanced photographs at low zoom ranges (assume 2x or 5x), however issues get fairly ugly at extra excessive hybrid zoom lengths.

As for the 50MP ultra-wide, the outcomes are closely processed-looking, with blasted out highlights. Tonally, it’s a mile away from that predominant sensor.

Selfie photographs are a write-off. It’s the identical 16MP sensor as earlier than, however the essential element is that it’s once more located underneath the show, which badly compromises the quantity of sunshine that will get by, leading to muddy, delicate photographs. I haven’t seen this method yield even midway first rate outcomes but, and the Z70S Extremely doesn’t change that. They’re not as dangerous as they was, however that’s not saying a lot.

Nubia’s Digicam UI can also be a little bit of a multitude. The mode dial is overloaded (did we actually want Photograph, Avenue, and Professional choices?), and the corporate confusingly mixes its basic photographic language (eg 35mm focal size) with its extra fashionable lingo (1.4x). You even have annoying watermark and beautification settings energetic by default, requiring you to dive into the menus to wash issues up.

Given the value of the cellphone, the Nubia Z70S Extremely is able to taking moderately strong photographs, and gives extra capturing choices than most. Given the give attention to its photographic capabilities, nevertheless (Photographer Version is emblazoned on the rear cowl), it’s slightly extra inconsistent than I might have preferred.

Battery Life & Charging

• 6600mAh battery
• 80W wired charging
• No charger within the field
• No wi-fi charging

Apart from the principle digital camera, the opposite noteworthy {hardware} change right here is the Z70S Extremely’s battery measurement. The Z70 Extremely’s 6150mAh cell was hardly small, however right here you get an expanded 6600mAh battery.

This doesn’t lead to an enormous enchancment in stamina, however then, such a factor wasn’t wanted. The lengthy and wanting it’s that you just’ll be capable to get two full days of regular utilization out of the Nubia Z70S Extremely with little fear.

Elsewhere, a PCMark Work 3.0 battery take a look at rating of 9 hrs 12 minutes stays a comparatively poor outcome – lower than half the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, and greater than 5 hours wanting the OnePlus 13. Nevertheless it nonetheless represents progress at nearly an hour longer than the Nubia Z70 Extremely managed.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

There’s help for quick 80W charging once more, however Nubia not offers you a charger within the field. You’ll want to provide that your self. Happily, I had one of many firm’s bricks handy, and located {that a} 15-minute cost bought the cellphone to 31%, whereas half-hour took it to 57%.

A full cost takes round an hour. All of which is just a bit slower than the Nubia Z70 Extremely, as you’d count on with an even bigger gas tank to fill.

Nubia nonetheless doesn’t help wi-fi charging, which is a little bit of a disgrace. Once more, although, we’d like to bear in mind the value of this cellphone. This is without doubt one of the compromises that Nubia has made to have the ability to hit that.

Software program

• Android 15 with Nebula AIOS 1.5
• Google Uncover feed again onboard
• Few AI instruments

Nubia made a contemporary begin of types with the Z70 Extremely, dropping its previous MyOS UI for Nebula AIOS. It felt like little greater than a renaming train like Xiaomi’s HyperOS, nevertheless, with lots of the identical traits and flaws as earlier than.

The truth that the Nubia Z70S Extremely arrives solely six months later doesn’t provide an excessive amount of expectation of change. Positive sufficient, the OS right here is labelled as Nebula AIOS 1.5 reasonably than Nebula AIOS 2.0, and it’s as soon as once more sat on Android 15.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Most of my feedback regarding model 1.0 apply right here. It is a UI that runs quick and steady, however that lacks the trendy, fashionable fringe of Google’s inventory Pixel UI and even Samsung’s One UI.

There are tough edges, like an unsightly fingerprint authentication immediate that nearly seems like a placeholder, or Chinese language textual content showing within the digital camera UI – although the latter seems to have been eliminated with a subsequent replace.

One massive enchancment from Nubia is the substitute of its terrible Z-board display screen to the left of the House Display screen with the usual Google Feed.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Nubia’s AI implementation isn’t as intensive as most of its direct rivals, and will get nowhere close to Google or Samsung. Apart from some anticipated picture enhancement instruments within the digital camera app there’s AI Translate – an experimental actual time translation software that’s free however time-limited.

Nubia doesn’t specify what number of updates it’s going to be supplying with the Z70S Extremely, but it surely doesn’t have a robust observe file on this regard so don’t count on the form of seven 12 months OS help you’d get from Samsung and Google.

Worth & Availability

There’s been a minor bump in worth over the Nubia Z70 Extremely, however the Z70S Extremely stays glorious worth. It begins from £659 for the mannequin with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

That’s £10 greater than the Nubia Z70 Extremely offered for, and certainly continues to promote for on the time of writing, confusingly.

Bumping issues as much as 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage will value you £769, which is a £20 enhance on the Z70 Extremely equal. There isn’t a 1TB mannequin this time round.

Each fashions can be found straight from Nubia’s web site within the UK (however not the US this time, it appears), in addition to Amazon UK.

As earlier than, no networks are providing the cellphone on contract, so that you’ll want to purchase it outright and pair it with a SIM-only deal.

By way of competitors round this worth, you would possibly think about the Poco F7 Professional, Nothing Telephone (3), Redmagic 10S Professional and the OnePlus 13R.

Take a look at our checklist of the very best mid-range telephones to see all the highest choices proper now.

Do you have to purchase the Nubia Z70S Extremely?

The Nubia Z70S Extremely is one other extremely succesful, well-specced-out cellphone at an upper-mid-range worth. Nevertheless, I’m at a loss to clarify the explanation for its existence.

In a weblog put up on the distinction between its two most up-to-date flagship telephones, even Nubia struggles to make a case for the Z70S Extremely, vaguely referring to it as a “premium tactile expertise” and “a dialog starter”.

Within the different camp, the Z70 Extremely gives “the very best of recent smartphone tech: show, efficiency, digital camera versatility, and all-day energy”. That final line highlights the issue, because the Z70S Extremely has the very same show and processor and an excellent larger battery.

Other than some tweaks to the digital camera – which nonetheless struggles with consistency and a horrible selfie cam – that’s it for upgrades.

If the model itself can’t put up a convincing argument for the Nubia Z70S Extremely’s existence, I’m unsure I can. All I can say is that this can be a good cellphone at a very good worth, however one which arguably didn’t must exist.

Specs

• Android 15 with Nebula AIOS 1.5
• 6.85in, 1.5K, OLED, 144Hz, flat show
• In-display fingerprint sensor
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
• 12GB/16GB/24GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
• 50Mp, f/1.7 predominant digital camera
• 50Mp ultra-wide digital camera
• 64Mp telephoto digital camera
• As much as 8K @ 30fps rear video
• 16Mp front-facing digital camera
• Stereo audio system
• Twin-SIM
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6e/7
• Bluetooth 5.4
• 6600mAh battery
• 80W charging
• 164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm
• 228g
• Launch colors: Vintage Brown, Traditional Black