nubia Z70S Ultra Review: Retro Styling Meets Modern Photography
I've been following nubia's phones for years. Why? Because in a world of monotonous rectangles, nubia isn't afraid to take some risks when it comes to smartphone design. Does that risk pay off with the nubia Z70S Ultra?
nubia Z70S first impressions nubia's new flagship smartphone is the latest in a long line of camera-focused smartphones aiming to blur the line between mobile devices and dedicated SLR cameras. With its retro camera-inspired design, nearly invisible under-display selfie camera, and powerful internals, it's clearly targeting a specific crowd: people who care deeply about mobile photography. Let's see how the rest of this smartphone for photographers holds up.
Screen & display: A display with nothing in the way
The Z70S Ultra stands out with its expansive 6.85-inch AMOLED display. The panel supports a sharp 2688 × 1216 resolution, a silky-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, and full DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant viewing, even in bright sunlight.
But what really sets it apart from competitors like the iPhone 16 is the under-display 16MP front camera, part of nubia's 7th-gen UDC tech. It's not perfect for selfies, but for uninterrupted screen real estate, it's one of the cleanest implementations we've seen on any Android 15 phone.
Design: A modern phone with a classic design
The Z70S Ultra leans heavily into its retro camera design language, with a leather-textured rear panel (actually etched glass) and a rectangular camera bump that spans the width of the phone. It's not exactly subtle, but it does give the device a distinct look. Besides, when there are so many minimalist but non-descript devices out there, it's refreshing to see a smartphone company go for a unique, vintage look.
The oversized camera bump stretches across the back like a built-in point-and-shoot, housing a 50MP main 35mm lens, a 50MP ultrawide macro, and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens. This bold camera bar gives the Z70S Ultra both visual impact and functional stability—this phone won’t wobble on flat surfaces.
Performance & battery: Elite specs, big battery
Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 "Elite" processor (rebranded for this model), up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and lightning-fast UFS 4.0 storage. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance is excellent as expected, whether gaming, multitasking, or editing photos. And it stays cool thanks to an advanced vapor chamber cooling system.
Battery life is another win for the nubia Z70S Ultra. The 6,600mAh battery delivers all-day usage easily, even with heavy camera or gaming use. The included 80W fast charging is a major plus — a full charge takes just under an hour. But at 228g, this is not a lightweight phone (for something lighter, try the REDMAGIC 10 Air). Another caveat is that nubia have decided to skip wireless charging, which might bother some users who expect that from a flagship smartphone.
Camera specs: The 35mm gambit
Given its design, it's clear that camera quality is at the heart of the nubia Z70S Ultra, and nubia are billing this as a flagship smartphone with the best camera for mobile photographers who crave pro-level tools. nubia’s Neo Vision camera system is designed around a 35mm focal length—a favorite among street photographers for its human-eye-like field of view. The 1/1.3" Omnivision OV50H sensor behind the main lens, paired with a wide f/1.7 aperture, ensures great low-light performance and shallow depth of field. There's also a dual-stage physical shutter button—a rarity on phones—that's like a real camera, offering half-press focus and long-press burst shooting.
It's obvious nubia didn’t want to make just a phone with a good camera, but a phone built for photographers. For that, they deserve top marks. In practice, image quality is solid. Photos tend to be vibrant and well-detailed, and the AI-enhanced shooting modes (Motion Capture, Sunset, Milky Way) add some flexibility. The main lens's fixed f/1.7 aperture allows for decent low-light shots, though there's less dynamic range compared to top-tier competitors from Apple or Samsung.
Software & usability
The Z70S Ultra runs on nubia's Nebula AIOS (based on Android 15), which adds a few extras like customizable buttons, gesture controls, and its own camera app interface. It doesn't feel overly bloated, but the long-term software support remains unclear. If you're planning to hold onto your phone for more than a year or two, that could be a concern.
Another usability win is the inclusion of IP68/IP69 certification, which protects the phone from dust and high-pressure water jets—rare for phones at this price point. On the other hand, there's no eSIM support or wireless charging, which might be a dealbreaker for some users.
Price & value
Starting at $779 for 12GB+256GB and $869 for 16GB+512GB, the Z70S Ultra is positioning itself as the best budget flagship phone of 2025. The device undercuts most flagship smartphones with similar hardware specs—especially with early pre-order discounts and freebies (charger, case, and 180-day screen protection). This pricing makes it an incredible value, particularly for mobile photographers who want serious camera hardware without spending over $1000.
Heyup's Verdict: A phone with a photographer's focus
The nubia Z70S Ultra is one of the most distinctive phones you can buy today, and this nubia Z70S Ultra review 2025 shows exactly why it stands out from the crowd. It marries pro-grade photography features with flagship performance and eye-catching retro smartphone design. While it's not perfect—the selfie cam is a bit soft, and there's no wireless charging—it delivers a compelling experience at a very competitive price.
For anyone who wants a phone that's as fun to shoot with as it is to use, the nubia Z70S Ultra is well worth a closer look.
Pros
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Distinctive retro design with etched glass and wide camera bump
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Uninterrupted 6.85" AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and under-display selfie camera
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance with up to 24GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage
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Outstanding battery life (6,600mAh) with fast 80W charging
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Pro-grade camera system with a 35mm main lens and physical shutter button
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Advanced cooling system for sustained performance
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IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance
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Great value for money, starting at $779
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Targeted features for photographers, including AI modes and shutter controls
Cons
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No wireless charging
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No eSIM support
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Heavy at 228g
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Unclear long-term software update support
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Selfie camera quality is average
Perfect for:
Mobile photography enthusiasts looking for a powerful, uniquely designed Android phone for under $1000 that blends SLR-style camera controls with flagship-level performance.
