The Nubia Z80 Ultra is officially on its way, and ZTE has now confirmed both the design and the launch date. The company’s next flagship smartphone, powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, will debut in China on October 22. 
While leaks had already spoiled much of the surprise, the official reveal confirms a sleek evolution of Nubia’s ultra-premium series.
Visually, the Z80 Ultra refines the formula introduced by last year’s Z70 Ultra. The back panel still embraces a bold rectangular camera island, but this time the arrangement has been reimagined: the main and ultrawide lenses now sit on the upper row, while the periscope telephoto sensor occupies a lower position. Subtle curvature toward the edges adds a sense of depth and luxury. Color options include Light White, Phantom Black, and a striking Starry Sky Collector’s Edition inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s iconic palette – a blend of artistry and technology that feels intentional rather than gimmicky.
The camera setup is once again a highlight. Nubia is bringing back its fan-favorite ultrawide with an updated 18mm equivalent lens that uses a 1/1.55-inch sensor, a 7P optical stack, and an IR coating for improved light handling. The 35mm main lens relies on an Omnivision OV990 sensor with a 1/1.3-inch size, promising rich detail and natural depth of field. The third sensor, likely the same 64MP periscope unit seen on the Z70 Ultra, supports a 50x hybrid zoom with optical image stabilization for steady long-range shooting. Nubia has already shared official photo samples that demonstrate impressive versatility across focal lengths from 18mm up to 140mm – clearly positioning this phone as a photographer’s tool rather than just another spec-heavy flagship.
Under the hood, the Z80 Ultra aims to push boundaries with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a 144Hz OLED display that hides the selfie camera under the screen for a clean, uninterrupted look. Rumors also point to a massive 7,100 mAh battery paired with 90W wired charging – an ambitious combination that could finally address past complaints about endurance on the Z70 series. In short, ZTE seems determined to turn lessons learned into a stronger, smarter design that blends artistry with performance.
If the final retail unit lives up to its promises, the Nubia Z80 Ultra might just become one of the most visually distinctive and capable smartphones of 2025 – a rare mix of power, elegance, and photographic ambition that could finally make Nubia’s ‘Ultra’ name feel truly deserved.