Scientists confirm: This is the most effective way to get your cat’s attention, according to new research
Elderly Couple Refuses Reserved Seats—Viral Train Standoff Sparks Fiery Debate on Courtesy
Although relatively low-key in the French market, Nubia has carved out a niche for itself with its Z Ultra series, promising high-end features at mid-range prices—a promise often made and generally kept. We have the same expectations for the Nubia Z80 Ultra.
This model follows the Z70 Ultra, which more than impressed us, including its Ultra S version. The manufacturer hasn’t revolutionized its approach, relying on a spec sheet that should meet the demands of serious gamers while being versatile and boasting significant photographic capabilities.
The brand prices the package at 799 euros, so we needed to check if this Nubia Z80 Ultra can really compete with high-end models priced over 1000 euros.
Specifications
| Model | Nubia Z80 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 77.2 mm x 164.5 mm x 8.6 mm |
| Manufacturer Interface | MyOS |
| Screen Size | 6.85 inches |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1216 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 430 ppi |
| Technology | AMOLED |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Graphics Chip | Adreno 840 |
| Internal Storage | 256, 512, 1024 GB |
| Rear Camera |
Sensor 1: 50 MP Sensor 2: 50 MP Sensor 3: 64 MP |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (be) |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
| 5G | Yes |
| NFC | Unknown |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Under the screen |
| Connector Type | USB Type-C |
| Battery Capacity | 7200 mAh |
| Weight | 227 g |
| Colors | Black, White, Blue |
| Product Sheet |
Design: Subtle Evolution
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed much here, it’s the design, which is a subtle evolution of the Z70 Ultra, which itself was very close to the Z60 Ultra.
We thus find angular lines that are sharp yet not cutting. Its aluminum chassis is robust and comes in black, blue, or white, and there’s even a Van Gogh version!
The main design features of the Z80 Ultra are the same as those of the Z70 Ultra. So, we have the same large screen (6.85 inches), framed by very thin borders. No punch hole here; the selfie camera is hidden under the screen. It’s very discreet and only really visible at rare moments, notably when coming out of standby.
The right side features the volume and power buttons at the top. The latter is notably attractive in red. At the bottom, there’s a photo shutter button. It allows for a two-step focus, with a first press to refine the focus and a second to trigger the shot. A system also found on the Xperia models.
On the opposite side, we have a programmable switch that can launch the camera app, activate silent mode, or even the flashlight or voice recorder. The bottom edge provides access to the dual nano-SIM card slot and the USB-C charging port.
Let’s move to the back, which is unsurprising, with a matte surface that is much less prone to capturing fingerprints than its glass-covered predecessor. This corresponds to the lower two-thirds, which are completely flat and smooth.
The rest of the surface houses the optical block, which is the point that has seen the most changes. Thus, we still have a rectangular base that occupies almost the entire width and integrates a nicely red-ringed main wide-angle sensor. The ultra-wide-angle sensor changes position from the bottom of the frame to the right of the main sensor, just like the flash. The telephoto lens hasn’t moved since the Z70 Ultra.
With dimensions of 164.5 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm and a weight of 227 g, this is clearly not a device designed for small hands. Others will be able to perform more interactions, but two-handed use will often be the rule as soon as you move beyond browsing or writing short messages.
Overall, despite the lack of originality from one model to another, the design of the Z80 Ultra still charms us. It retains that slight vintage feel that is appealing while not detracting from ergonomics. We also appreciate the build quality, which is very good, not to mention an IP68/IP69 certification. It thus resists immersion up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes and a jet of water under pressure.
Display: Better Calibrated than Its Predecessor
The 6.85-inch display of the Nubia Z80 Ultra is identical to that of the Z70 Ultra. It features a 1.5K OLED panel (2688 x 1216 pixels) with a pixel density of 430 ppi. Thus, we have a certain sharpness in the display, complemented by a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 60 Hz to 144 Hz, with steps at 90 Hz and 120 Hz.
We tested the three display modes available and focused on the Normal Colors mode, which offers the most natural rendering. Thus, with our probe and the CalMAN Ultimate software from Portrait Displays, we measured a Delta E of 2.26 against 3 for the reference value. An excellent result, indeed, and a marked improvement from the Delta E of 3.33 of the Z70 Ultra. Nubia has thus refined the calibration of its display, and this is not the only point that has been improved.
The measured color temperature is 6534 K, against 6500 K for the reference value. Once again, Nubia does better than with its predecessor, which displayed 6322 K.
The color space is also better, now at 136% sRGB, 91% DCI-P3, and 62% BT.2020.
As for brightness, it’s hard to be critical: we measure a maximum of 1718 nits in SDR. Using the device in very bright environments or in full sunlight is therefore quite comfortable. For HDR, we measure a good 2007 nits, which allows us to enjoy compatible content during the day, as long as the environment is not too bright.
Software: Comprehensive, Interesting, but Short-lived Support
The software duo is based on Android 16, supported by Nebula AIOS 2.0. Don’t be surprised if, in the Settings, the official name remains MyOS, as Nubia is not known for its software support…
Here, we are only entitled to 3 years of Android updates and security patches. This remains limited, especially since the technical configuration is solid and should ensure smooth operation beyond this trio of years.
The interface is pleasing to the eye, remains intuitive, and follows the conventions of Android phones. The customization options are quite numerous, though not excessive.
Gamers are not forgotten with a Game Bar that brings a wealth of customization functions for gamers. Often unnecessary given the power level of the Z80 Ultra, but some will appreciate it. This includes the real-time display of the framerate on all video games.
We also have a handy quick access sidebar in everyday use. You can also slide AI functions into it. Nubia offers us automatic translation, and that of calls, photo editing tools, and a few other additional functions. It’s varied without being particularly remarkable for a 2026 mobile.
The Settings menu is quite standard, with the most interesting section being its Slider Switch to customize the command of the lateral switch.
Performance: A Powerful Engine, but Poorly Managed
Nubia deploys a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at the heart of the Z80 Ultra. This latest generation of Qualcomm’s star SoC delivers very high-level performance. It matches and surpasses smartphones costing 1400 euros or more, and only its cousin, the Redmagic 11 Pro, slightly outperforms it at a similar price.
Released just a year ago, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has nothing to envy its newly released successor. Named Best Smartphone 2025 by Frandroid, you can get it at a reduced price in refurbished condition on Back Market.
The raw performance is there, and as you might expect, it translates completely into Android. The OS is flawlessly smooth, and even the most resource-intensive apps will feel right at home.
Gamers will be licking their lips with enough power to run Fortnite in Epic graphics mode at 120 Hz. Yes, good catch, Fortnite and 120 Hz are supported by the Z80 Ultra.
In Call of Duty, achieving 120 fps in medium graphics mode (the only setting available for this framerate) is a breeze, and 60 FPS in maximum graphics mode is just as easy.
As for Fortnite, with all graphics options at maximum and 120 fps activated, there’s nothing to report, the stability is demonic. However, that’s only in the first few minutes of gameplay, because then things change.
Indeed, during our SoC load tests, we are very surprised to see that after a few minutes, throttling is severe with 60% of the total raw power available and about 45% after 15 to 20 minutes. This is very disappointing and makes us wonder about the source of the problem and whether a future update can fix it.
So, throttling is significant, and yet after 30 minutes of load testing, we launch Genshin Impact while the device is quite hot. The framerate in maximum graphics mode doesn’t budge, we remain with a stable 60 fps. This Gen 5 really is a monster of power. On Fortnite, in Epic graphics mode and 120 fps, we have some drops from time to time, but nothing too noticeable.
Ultimately, what is most likely to limit you in gaming is the heat output of the mobile, which is quite significant. Those sensitive to heat won’t last more than 30 minutes of play.
Photo: The Ultra Wide-Angle Betrays It
The photo block configuration is very close to that of its predecessor, featuring a trio of sensors:
- A main wide-angle 50 MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.7;
- An ultra wide-angle 50 MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.80;
- A 2.4x telephoto 64 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.48.
The main difference from the Z70 Ultra is the change from a variable aperture on the wide-angle sensor to a fixed aperture. Let’s finish with the front camera, which features a 16 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.45.
Wide-Angle
The main sensor offers us shots with beautiful sharpness. The level of detail is high, the electronic processing is light, allowing micro-details to find their place.
This allows us to enjoy a very pleasing texture rendering. This, combined with good management of brightness and contrasts, gives a nice volume to the shots. Moreover, the colorimetry knows how to be lively, without ever going overboard, remaining quite natural in everyday use.
The transition from day to night poses no real difficulty for the Z80 Ultra. Indeed, we obtain shots that know how to take advantage of every ounce of light to reproduce a photo with rich details and micro-details that know how to stand out. It’s not the same level as in full daylight, but the consistency in low light is always pleasant to note. We certainly have some loss, a bit of smoothing, and digital noise, but it remains light and, for the last point, only the darkest areas are victims.
Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.