Nubia Z70S Ultra Review: A Niche Champion for Photographers
Just six months after its predecessor, the Nubia Z70S Ultra arrives with a promise of refinement. While the original Z70 Ultra was a solid device, it had room for improvement. This "S" model brings a larger main sensor and other tweaks, but does it address the key issues? Let's dive deep into this unique, photography-focused smartphone.
Table of Contents
What's in the Box?
The unboxing experience for the Nubia Z70S Ultra is straightforward. Inside the stylish package, you will find:
- The Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition phone
- A clear plastic protective case
- A USB-C to USB-C cable
- SIM tray ejector tool
- Quick start guide
Notably, there is no charger included in the box. However, my review unit from AliExpress came with an optional 80W EU travel charger, which is a nice touch.
Design and Display: A Full-Screen Beauty
The first thing you'll notice is the stunning, uninterrupted display. Thanks to an under-display front camera, there are no notches or punch-holes, offering a truly immersive full-screen experience. The 6.85-inch flat AMOLED panel is gorgeous, with slim, uniform bezels and a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
Key Design Features of the Nubia Z70S Ultra
- Photographer Edition Finish: The back has a unique dual-texture design, with a faux leather finish and a metallic camera island that mimics the look of a retro camera.
- Hardware Shutter Button: A major win for photographers is the two-stage hardware shutter button. A half-press focuses, and a full press captures the shot. It's tactile, responsive, and a feature more brands should adopt.
- Build: The phone feels premium with a metal frame, weighing in at 228 grams. It's solid but not overly heavy.
The Camera System: The Star of the Show?
The camera is the main selling point of the Nubia Z70S Ultra. It's built for photographers who appreciate a different perspective.
The 35mm Main Camera
The highlight is the 50MP main camera with its 35mm focal length. This is a rare and welcome feature, offering a more natural, less distorted field of view than the wider lenses on most smartphones. It's fantastic for portraits and street photography. While this "S" version gets a physically larger sensor, it unfortunately loses the variable aperture of the original Z70 Ultra, now fixed at f/1.7.
The Under-Display Selfie Camera Problem
Here's the biggest compromise. To achieve that beautiful, notch-less screen, the 16MP selfie camera is placed under the display. The quality is poor. Photos look soft, heavily processed, and video footage is simply not good. If you are a vlogger or take a lot of selfies, this is not the phone for you. It's a major weakness for a device so focused on photography.
Video Quality and Samples
The rear cameras perform much better. The main camera can shoot up to 8K at 30fps. The footage is sharp and detailed, but it lacks electronic image stabilization (EIS) at this resolution, as does the front camera. The 50MP ultrawide and 64MP 2.7x optical zoom telephoto lens provide good versatility, though the ultrawide camera's processing can be a bit aggressive.
Photo Samples
In good light, the Nubia Z70S Ultra can take some fantastic photos. The 35mm main camera produces natural-looking portraits with excellent skin tones and detail. The zoom lens is also very capable. However, the ultrawide camera's photos can look over-sharpened, and low-light performance across all cameras is inconsistent, with some shots showing an odd green tint.
Performance: Power Meets Heat
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and up to 16GB of RAM, the Nubia Z70S Ultra is incredibly fast and fluid in daily use. There is no lag or stuttering, and the UFS 4.0 storage is blazing fast. However, there's a catch for gamers.
Unlike its RedMagic gaming cousins, this phone lacks an advanced cooling system. During extended, high-intensity gaming sessions (like Genshin Impact on max settings), the phone gets very hot, leading to significant thermal throttling. It couldn't even complete the 20-minute 3DMark stress test. For casual gaming it's fine, but serious mobile gamers should look at a dedicated gaming phone instead.
Software, Battery, and Charging
The phone runs Nubia's AI OS, which is a clean and fast version of Android with minimal bloatware. The 6,600mAh battery provides solid all-day longevity, getting around 7-8 hours of screen-on time. While it supports 80W fast charging, a full charge takes just under an hour, which is good but not the fastest on the market.
Final Verdict: Who is the Nubia Z70S Ultra For?
The Nubia Z70S Ultra is a phone of compromises. It's a fantastic device for a very specific user: a photographer who loves the 35mm focal length and wants a unique hardware experience with a dedicated shutter button and a beautiful, uninterrupted screen. The performance is top-tier for everyday tasks.
However, its weaknesses are significant. The poor under-display selfie camera makes it a bad choice for vloggers and selfie-takers. The thermal issues mean it's not ideal for hardcore gamers. If you fit into its niche, you'll love it. If not, there are more well-rounded flagships available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the Nubia Z70S Ultra have a good selfie camera?
No. The 16MP under-display selfie camera provides poor quality for both photos and videos due to the technology's limitations. It is the phone's biggest weakness.
Is the Nubia Z70S Ultra good for gaming?
For casual gaming, yes. For intense, long gaming sessions, no. The phone lacks an advanced cooling system and gets very hot, causing performance to throttle significantly.
What is special about the 35mm main camera?
The 35mm focal length provides a more natural, less distorted perspective than the wider lenses on most phones (typically 24mm or 26mm). It's excellent for creating natural-looking portraits and street photography shots.
Does a charger come in the box?
No, a charger is not included in the retail box. You will need to purchase an 80W charger separately to take advantage of the fastest charging speeds.
Author Name: Azeem_USA
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