The nubia Z70 Ultra is a flagship phone that launched in China on November 21, 2024. Global pre-orders opened five days later. In the US, it started at $729 for the 12GB/256GB model. It targets buyers who want flagship speed, a notch-free screen and a large battery for less than most rivals.
Design and display
The phone has a 6.85-inch AMOLED screen co-engineered with BOE. It runs at 2688 x 1216 pixels, or about 430 ppi, and refreshes at up to 144Hz. nubia rates local peak brightness at 2,000 nits. The panel is not LTPO, so the refresh rate drops only to 60Hz.
There is no punch-hole or notch. The 16MP selfie camera sits under the display instead. The body measures 164.3 x 77.1 x 8.6 mm and weighs 228 grams. It carries both IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust. A dedicated camera button sits on the right edge, and a slider switch sits on the left.
Performance
Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s top chip of its generation. It pairs with up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. Global versions come as 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB and 24GB/1TB. There is no microSD slot. Reviewers noted that the body gets warm under long gaming loads.
Cameras
The rear setup has three high-resolution cameras. The main camera is a 50MP Sony sensor with a 35mm focal length and OIS. Its physical aperture adjusts from f/1.59 to f/4.0. A 50MP ultrawide covers 122 degrees and also handles macro shots from 2.5 cm.
The third camera is a 64MP telephoto at 70mm with OIS. A laser focus sensor and a flicker sensor support the lenses. The front camera is 16MP and hides under the screen.
Battery and charging
The battery holds 6,150mAh and uses a silicon-carbon anode. Wired charging reaches 80W, and an 80W charger is in the box. There is no wireless charging. The box also includes a case and a screen protector.
Software and updates
The phone ships with Nebula AIOS based on Android 15. Reviews report one major Android upgrade and three years of security patches. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC and an IR blaster. It takes two nano-SIM cards, and there is no eSIM support.
Should you buy the Z70 Ultra?
The Z70 Ultra suits buyers who want a fast chip and long battery life at a lower price. Its screen has no cutout at all. The variable-aperture 35mm main camera is a rare feature in this class. However, the short update policy, missing eSIM and lack of wireless charging are clear trade-offs. Its successor, the Z70S Ultra, keeps the same body with a larger battery and a bigger main sensor.
