Nubia Z70S Ultra review: Why does this phone exist?

Finest Costs Right this moment: Nubia Z70S Extremely

Earlier this yr, the Nubia Z70 Extremely offered 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 might 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 digicam 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 digicam set-up.

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

Design & Construct

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

Unsurprisingly, given its S-status, the Nubia Z70S Extremely appears and feels an terrible lot just like the Z70 Extremely. It’s the identical fundamental 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 giant sq. digicam module and signature flashes of crimson. If something, Nubia has made the Z70S Extremely look extra like a retro digicam than it did earlier than, with a faux-leather end and a silver metal-effect band throughout the primary digicam.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

The mannequin I’m utilizing is the Basic Black, however the Vintage Brown model (solely obtainable on the highest spec) appears much more like a basic digicam.

All in all, I just like the idea of utilizing such lovely and tactile gadgets as inspiration, however I’m not so certain Nubia has fairly nailed the transient. 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 properly.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

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

It’s set to launch the digicam by default, although this nonetheless appears like a waste when the aforementioned shutter button does the identical factor. It’s greatest remapped to a mute change perform, I discovered, or to the torch.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.85-inch 1.5K AMOLED show
• Fast 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 grievance 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 make the most of 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 shiny days.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

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

Stereo audio system make a return, considered one of which is downward-facing going through like many telephones. They’re not elite stage, and so they’re somewhat 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 high efficiency

Normally, if you consider an ’S’ cellphone, you anticipate one thing in the way in which 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 somewhat stunned about this.

If something, it is 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 loads.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

In sensible phrases, none of this makes a jot of distinction. That is one other speedy performer, with benchmark check outcomes touchdown precisely the place we’d anticipate 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 somewhat than any GPU challenge, because the cellphone scores properly on different GPU checks, and runs high-end 3D video games impeccably, so bear this in thoughts when trying on the chart under.

In relation 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 would like excellent sustained gaming efficiency.

Nubia Z70S Extremely benchmarks

Digicam

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

There are two key methods by which the Nubia Z70S Extremely differentiates itself from its predecessor, and a kind of pertains to its principal digicam.

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 mounted 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 a large step ahead, however I’d nonetheless say that it’s simply nice. In perfect lighting situations, it might seize sharp, vibrant photographs. The colors are maybe somewhat on the exaggerated facet, but it surely’s a glance that lots of people like.

Nevertheless, I discovered the digicam to be somewhat inconsistent, sometimes flubbing a shot utterly. One close-up of some pink flowers offered an especially grainy shot with horribly oversaturated flowers. As with the Z70 Extremely, I ponder if the AI shot selector – which is lively by default – is sort of as much as scratch right here.

Evening mode kicks in mechanically, by default, and produces stable element and a fairly pure stage of shade in low lighting.

The 64MP telephoto combines with that principal sensor to create some sharp, balanced photographs at low zoom ranges (suppose 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 principal 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 beneath the show, which badly compromises the quantity of sunshine that will get by way of, leading to muddy, delicate photographs. I haven’t seen this system yield even midway respectable 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 be a little bit of a multitude. The mode dial is overloaded (did we actually want Picture, Road, and Professional choices?), and the corporate confusingly mixes its basic photographic language (eg 35mm focal size) with its extra trendy lingo (1.4x). You even have annoying watermark and beautification settings lively by default, requiring you to dive into the menus to scrub issues up.

Given the value of the cellphone, the Nubia Z70S Extremely is able to taking moderately stable photographs, and presents extra capturing choices than most. Given the deal with its photographic capabilities, nevertheless (Photographer Version is emblazoned on the rear cowl), it’s somewhat extra inconsistent than I might have appreciated.

Battery Life & Charging

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

Aside from the primary digicam, the opposite noteworthy {hardware} change right here is the Z70S Extremely’s battery dimension. 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 simply’ll be capable of get two full days of regular utilization out of the Nubia Z70S Extremely with little fear.

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

Jon Mundy / Foundry

There’s help for quick 80W charging once more, however Nubia not provides you a charger within the field. You’ll want to produce that your self. Luckily, I had one of many firm’s bricks handy, and located {that a} 15-minute cost received 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 anticipate 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 remember 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 recent begin of kinds with the Z70 Extremely, dropping its outdated MyOS UI for Nebula AIOS. It felt like little greater than a renaming train like Xiaomi’s HyperOS, nevertheless, with most of the identical traits and flaws as earlier than.

The truth that the Nubia Z70S Extremely arrives solely six months later doesn’t supply an excessive amount of expectation of change. Certain sufficient, the OS right here is labelled as Nebula AIOS 1.5 somewhat 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. This can be a UI that runs quick and steady, however that lacks the trendy, trendy fringe of Google’s inventory Pixel UI and even Samsung’s One UI.

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

One large enchancment from Nubia is the alternative 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 in depth as most of its direct rivals, and will get nowhere close to Google or Samsung. In addition to some anticipated picture enhancement instruments within the digicam 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 powerful monitor file on this regard so don’t anticipate the form of seven yr 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 wonderful 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 bought 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 immediately 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 may think about the Poco F7 Professional, Nothing Telephone (3), Redmagic 10S Professional and the OnePlus 13R.

Try our record of the perfect 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 rationale 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 presents “the perfect of contemporary smartphone tech: show, efficiency, digicam versatility, and all-day energy”. That final line highlights the issue, because the Z70S Extremely has the very same show and processor and a fair larger battery.

Apart from some tweaks to the digicam – 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 it is a good cellphone at a very good worth, however one which arguably didn’t have to 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 principal digicam
• 50Mp ultra-wide digicam
• 64Mp telephoto digicam
• As much as 8K @ 30fps rear video
• 16Mp front-facing digicam
• 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, Basic Black