Nubia Z70S Ultra review – great for gamers and photographers alike

There are plenty of manufacturers and much more fashions to select from when selecting a brand new Android telephone. Whereas your thoughts could journey to the likes of Samsung, Google, and Sony first, newer firms corresponding to Nubia are additionally producing some unbelievable units. I have been spending some high quality time with the Nubia Z70S Extremely for a few month now, and I can not keep in mind the final time a mobile phone impressed me this a lot.

Nonetheless, does it deserve a coveted spot on our checklist of one of the best Android telephones? Higher nonetheless, is it a contender among the many greatest gaming telephones? I goal to reply each of those questions and handle whether or not it is price selecting up over its rivals, such because the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16. So, let’s get into the whole lot the Nubia Z70S Extremely has to supply and whether or not it is definitely worth the value.

Worth

For the whole lot you get with the Nubia Z70S Extremely, I’ve to say that the beginning value of $779 / £659 is incrediblevalue, and that occurs to be the value of the system I am reviewing, as I’ve the Nubia 70S Extremely in Traditional Black with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The telephone is to be available all through Europe and North America, that means you need not fear about transport it in from one other continent for those who reside within the US.

Specs

Listed below are the Nubia Z70S Extremely specs:

Efficiency and gaming

The Nubia Z70S comes with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, so I used to be anticipating it to be good within the gaming division, particularly for the reason that Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional additionally options this chipset, and that is maybe one of the best gaming telephone cash should purchase. Moreover, this telephone has at the least 12GB of RAM, so if you additionally add that to the combo, a stellar gaming efficiency looks like a given. After testing video games like Zenless Zone Zero and the Xbox Sport Move video games, I can verify that that is the case. The most effective cellular video games run as easy as butter on this system, and the crisp display (extra on that in a bit) solely provides to the expertise.

I misplaced many hours simply mendacity in mattress enjoying Crime Scene Cleaner with the Nubia Z70S Extremely and my trusty GameSir controller (you’ll be able to try my GameSir X5 Lite assessment to see why this low cost and cheerful gamepad is price your time). This telephone can go the space, getting just a bit heat because the hours roll by, however nothing extreme, definitely to not the purpose the place I might be capable of fry an egg on it, at the least. The battery, blended with staying comparatively cool, means you could get caught into these longer gaming periods, one thing that different telephones do not essentially permit for.

Due to the flagship chipset, it isn’t simply gaming efficiency that I get to go with; the telephone’s total expertise advantages from it, permitting me to swipe between screens instantaneously. Plus, be it a recreation, app, or the web, the whole lot masses at pace; there is no want to attend round twiddling your thumbs right here.

Options and software program

Within the field, as is changing into the norm, you do not get a plug on your charging cable, although at the least the cable is in there. To be trustworthy, given how a lot tech depends on a USB-C charger, you might be more likely to have an applicable plug mendacity round anyway. Past a pleasant pink cable, you additionally get a transparent case that clips onto your telephone, offering some safety.

As you’ve got in all probability come to count on from Android telephones, lots of Google’s apps are able to go if you begin up the system, together with Calendar, Meet, Gmail, and Maps. Nevertheless, the Nubia Z70S comes with much less bloatware pre-installed than different telephones, such because the Poco X7 Professional. For these of you who admire AI (sorry to say that is not me, however it’s arduous to love it when it endangers your career), Google Gemini is prepared and ready for you, as is Nubia’s pictures AI suite.

If, like me, you are a bit clumsy and admire figuring out your treasured telephone has some additional safety, it ought to please you to know that the Nubia Z70S Extremely has each IP68 and IP69 rankings, that means it is waterproof, dustproof, and in a position to face up to excessive temperatures and water strain.

Design

I fairly just like the design of the Nubia Z70S Extremely, with the Traditional Black colorway providing a slick end. It is simple on the eyes, which is an efficient factor, contemplating the case that comes with the telephone is see-through. Admittedly, I do should nitpick at this case, as whereas together with one within the field is nice, it presents no safety to the perimeters of the telephone, as a substitute solely defending the again and corners.

Then there’s the digital camera. As I will get into in a bit, the digital camera choices of the Nubia Z70S are very spectacular, particularly for the way less expensive it’s than a flagship Samsung, however it protrudes fairly considerably, sufficient that connecting it to my cellular controller is a little bit of a ache, because it rests at a slight angle. Granted, my gamepad can nonetheless safe the telephone, and it is a small factor, however it’s a grievance nonetheless. Nevertheless, I do benefit from the retro digital camera aesthetic Nubia went with.

Fortunately, regardless of being on the larger dimension for a telephone with its 6.85-inch display, it is not heavy, that means it would not trigger any fatigue to make use of for prolonged durations, and, for those who’re like me and can not help however doomscroll for hours on finish, this can be a actual plus.

Show

You already know, having a robust chipset and recreation efficiency is all nicely and good, however to get the last word expertise, you additionally want a strong show, which the Nubia Z70S has. I definitely desire it to my iPhone 13, which, admittedly, is in severe want of an improve at this level. The Nubia Z70S boasts a 6.85-inch AMOLED show with a 144Hz refresh price, which provides it a really crisp and clear look, making video games like Genshin Influence look as stunning as they need to, whereas catching up on my newest homicide documentary on Netflix can also be nice.

Moreover, there’s solely a really slim bezel border surrounding the display, so you do not have to fret a few block of black taking on worthwhile actual property. As an alternative, the show spans almost your complete entrance of the system, which I tremendously admire when enjoying video games or watching a film.

Digicam

When you consider one of the best telephones for cameras, you naturally head straight for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, because the model and mannequin have an excellent popularity for fledgling photographers. Whereas I additionally suppose Samsung is one of the best on this regard, it seems that Nubia is able to deliver the competitors, as evidenced by the beautiful photos I captured on it whereas on the seashore with my in-laws. Whereas my very own canines get pleasure from a great photograph session, there’s one thing additional particular about testing out a digital camera with a Samoyed operating throughout the seashore.

Past being a lovely woman, the Nubia Z70S Extremely’s cameras captured each little element of Lottie. Granted, the 50MP important digital camera would not match the 200MP of the Samsung flagship, however it nonetheless presents a premium digital camera expertise at a extra inexpensive value, and it is good to get this stuff with out breaking the financial institution. Plus, if we’re doing a good comparability, the Nubia Z70S Extremely additionally sports activities a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, in comparison with the 50MP one on provide with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.

The quantity of element you get in these photos is actually spectacular, although it serves as a considerably grim reminder of how dusty my desk can get. Admittedly, being a nonfan of AI means I am not too keen on the instruments on provide right here, however I can not deny that they could be useful for photographers.

Battery

I am not exaggerating once I say that the battery life on the Nubia Z70S is in a league of its personal. I’ve genuinely by no means had a telephone that may go so lengthy while not having a cost. With in depth use, together with some gaming periods, the 6,600 mAh battery nonetheless lasts at the least 5 days earlier than needing a cost. Then, with extra sporadic use, I do not want to consider charging the telephone for per week and a half, if not a bit longer.

For comparability, different Android units just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely and the RedMagic 10 Air have 5,000 mAh and 6,000 mAh batteries, respectively, showcasing simply how spectacular the Nubia Z70S Extremely’s 6,600 mAh battery actually is. The gulf between the Nubia telephone and its competitors seems huge on paper, however it’s much more vital in actuality, with the Android outlasting its competitors by over a day in some cases.

Higher nonetheless, the 80W wired charging functionality means it would not take lengthy to completely cost the telephone, clocking it at slightly below an hour to go from nothing to the whole lot, which, contemplating how massive the battery is, is not too shabby. Plus, even for those who neglect to prime up your telephone earlier than leaving, 30% is greater than sufficient to see you all through the day.

Verdict

General, I extremely suggest the Nubia Z70S Extremely, particularly for those who’re into a mixture of pictures and gaming. It is sluggish to overheat, has cameras to offer the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely a run for its cash, and has a battery so massive and sturdy that you do not have to fret about it operating out of juice for days at a time. For its value level, it is arduous to fault this system.

Alternate options

If our Nubia Z70s Extremely assessment hasn’t bought you on the Android flagship, try our options for options beneath.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

If in case you have the cash to spare, you would possibly desire to go for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, as its digital camera choices are a bit higher than these of the Nubia Z70S Extremely, whereas additionally providing a good gaming expertise. You already know you are getting high quality from one of many largest names within the Android world. The 200MP digital camera is the massive promoting level right here, together with a barely greater display at 6.9 inches. To get the total lowdown, try our Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely assessment.

Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional

Do you have to be after the easiest gaming expertise, regardless of getting good high quality with the Nubia Z70S, I like to recommend you try the Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional. Gaming is on the forefront of this telephone’s design, simply nipping Nubia within the efficiency division with a staggering 185Hz refresh price, providing the crispest show you may get. For extra on this feature, try our Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional assessment.