The subject of our test today is the new nubia Z80 Ultra. High-end smartphone that includes various latest generation technologies such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the most powerful Android smartphone processor currently on the market.
The nubia Z80 Ultra also boasts a decidedly modern and refined design, with very thin edges around the screen, an invisible front camera and a complete photographic compartment on the rear.
Let us therefore analyze in detail all the features and performances of the new nubia Z80 Ultra.
Design and packaging
The nubia Z80 Ultra retains the advanced design that has characterized the Chinese company’s smartphones for years. Let’s start with the screen which occupies almost the entire front of the smartphone thanks to the thin symmetrical frames. We continue with the front camera, invisible, hidden under the screen; therefore, there are no notches or holes on the display.
Let’s move on to the elegant matte rear characterized by a generous module that protrudes slightly from the body. Polished glass element, with slightly curved sides and with three photographic sensors inside. In particular, the large main bedroom stands out, embellished with a red profile.
Smartphone with aluminum frames with rounded corners. Let’s start from the right side where we find the red and knurled power button, the volume rocker and a button for managing the camera. This command allows, first of all, the rapid start of the main chamber by means of a long press. User customizable button with various options: access to the main rear sensor, video recording, activation of Road or Professional mode. Once the camera is started, a half-press of the button allows autofocus, while a full press allows you to take photos or record a video.
On the left, however, there is a selector that can be customized by the user: start game mode, flashlight, silent mode and other functions.
Smartphone available in three colors: the Black one being tested, the White variant and the original Starry Night version inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
Finally, the package includes a USB cable and a semi-transparent hard cover which unfortunately leaves the sides of the smartphone exposed.
Technical characteristics
The heart of the nubia Z80 Ultra is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the most powerful processor for Android smartphones currently on the market. Made with the 3nm production process, it boasts an architecture with 2 Prime cores up to 4.6 GHz and 6 Performance cores up to 3.62 GHz. Smartphone that also boasts an advanced cooling system with liquid metal structure and 3D Cryo-Steel vapor chamber.
Let’s continue with the complete photographic section. We recall, in particular, the equivalent focal length of the main lens of 35 mm, like on “real” cameras and a little narrower than the standard 24 mm. Let’s not forget the 7,200 mAh battery, with fast charging, including wireless charging.
Below are the complete technical specifications of the new nubia Z80 Ultra:
- Display: Amoled, 6.85 inches, 1.5K resolution (2,688 x 1,216 pixels, 430 ppi), refresh rate up to 144 Hz, maximum brightness of 2,000 nits
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Ram: 12 or 16 Gb LpDdr5X
-Memory: 256 or 512 GB of UFS 4.1 storage space - Rear cameras: 50 Mp main (35 mm, 1/1.3″, Ois, f/1.7) + 50 Mp ultra-wide angle (1/1.55″, f/1.8, Af, macro 5.5 cm) + 64 MP tele (2.7X, Ois, f/2.48) / Flicker and Laser sensors
- Front camera: 16 Mp, f/2.0
- Connectivity: 5G, dual SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, GPS, NFC, Usb-C 3.2 Gen1, no esim
- Audio: stereo speaker, DTS:X Ultra
- Battery: 7,200 mAh, fast charging via cable at 80 Watt + 80 W wireless, also reverse, + bypass charging
- Dust and liquid resistance: IP68 certification
- Operating System: MyOS based on Android 16 with 5 years of updates
- Dimensions: 164.5 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 227 gr
Software analysis
The nubia Z80 Ultra uses the MyOS operating system based on Android 16, with December 2025 security patch. Let’s start with the launcher which, unfortunately, does not include Google news accessible with a swipe to the right. In their place we find the Z-Board app, a low-quality news aggregator and app.
On board we also find numerous options to customize the user interface. We also mention the app duplicator to use two accounts at the same time, for example on Facebook, and the possibility of virtually expanding the RAM using the smartphone’s storage. Let’s not forget the complete section dedicated to battery optimization with an overly invasive management that can block the reception of notifications from various apps.
We also mention the “Private Space”, to protect personal information, images, files, videos and apps, and the Nebula AI function for creating wallpapers, managing notes and automatically translating calls (voice and with subtitles), with numerous languages supported including Italian. Useful function, but needs improvement. We continue with the fingerprint sensor integrated into the screen and unlocking via facial recognition; both fast and precise.
In the nubia Z80 Ultra we also find the “Game Space”: menu dedicated to video games, also accessible via the selector on the left side of the smartphone. Inside each video game there are two side panels that can be activated by swiping towards the center of the screen. Menus that allow you to manage many features, such as monitoring CPU and GPU frequency, screen recording, call blocking and much more. We also find the section of plug-ins that add various features within video games, such as the possibility of enabling a large crosshair (useful in FPS) or activating a magnifying glass. We also mention the “Diablo Mode” which pushes the smartphone’s performance to the maximum.
Finally, the complete camera management software which includes numerous features such as Pro, Raw, Portrait, Slow motion, Macro, Document Scanner, Slow Motion and Timelapse modes. We also find various ways to take excellent shots of the starry sky, with various effects, and HDR.
User experience and prices
We end the review of the nubia Z80 Ultra with our experience of use. A high-end model arrives from nubia, equipped with a very powerful processor that allows high performance with applications and video games of all kinds. The work done by the cooling system is excellent, allowing long gaming sessions with limited heating of the rear. The performance of the operating system is excellent with an interface that is always fluid and responsive.
Operating system, in Italian, but with a translation to be perfected in some menus. Smartphone particularly suitable for video games, with dedicated software with numerous features.
The display is excellent, bright, with bright colours, fast and with decidedly thin edges.
Let’s move on to the battery which allows more than one day of very intense use and two with more careful use of the smartphone. Let’s not forget the complete connectivity with WiFi 7 and video output.
Positive opinion also on the rear cameras which allow convincing daytime shots, detailed and with natural colours. We remember, in particular, the powerful zoom and the good 35 mm main camera. The photos at night are more than decent. Positive evaluation also on videos, up to 8K – 30fps, while 4K reaches 120fps.
The performance of the front camera is just sufficient, with colors that are not always natural. Complete camera management software.
Below are three photos taken with the main camera, with the wide angle and with the maximum zoom available (50x).
The build quality of the smartphone is high. Good ergonomics, with a slightly high weight. The side controls are useful. Very positive opinion on the refined design. The telephone-audio sector does not disappoint, with powerful, quality stereo speakers.
We conclude our review with the excellent quality/price ratio of this new smartphone. Z80 Ultra it is available in the following variants:
- 12Gb+256Gb: 649 euros
- 16Gb+512Gb: 799 euros
- 16Gb+1Tb: 899 euros
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