Nubia Z80 Ultra goes global: specs, cameras, battery, and price

Nubia’s latest flagship, the Z80 Ultra, has officially stepped onto the international stage after its October 22 unveiling in China. It arrives as a bold alternative for buyers who want bleeding-edge hardware, a clean front face without a notch or punch hole, and long stamina. Rather than merely refreshing last year’s model, Nubia reshapes the formula with a next-gen chipset, a huge battery, and a renewed focus on display and camera versatility.

Display without distractions

Front and center is a 6.85-inch AMOLED panel that runs at a silky 144Hz, delivering ultra-smooth scrolling and responsive gaming. With 2,000 nits peak brightness, outdoor readability should be comfortable, while the 1,216 × 2,688 resolution keeps text and UI elements crisp. Slim bezels frame the screen, and there’s no cutout: a 16MP under-display camera hides beneath the pixels, enabling an uninterrupted canvas for movies, games, and creative work.

Performance, software, and durability

Under the hood, the Z80 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC. The aim is straightforward: flagship-grade speed for everything from intensive photo processing to competitive gaming. The phone runs MyOS, Nubia’s lightweight take on Android, and includes an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for quick, reliable unlocking. A customisable Slide key and a dedicated camera button add welcome hardware controls. The chassis carries IP68/IP69 resistance, meaning it’s sealed against dust and built to withstand immersion and high-pressure water jets – reassurance for travelers and outdoor use.

Triple-camera system with reach

On the back, a redesigned camera module houses three sensors with distinct roles: a 50MP main camera with f/1.7 optics and OIS for stabilized shots, a 50MP ultra-wide for sweeping landscapes and tight interiors, and a 64MP periscope telephoto providing 3× optical zoom for portraits and distant subjects. This mix covers everyday snapshots, dramatic vistas, and lossless mid-range zoom, while the under-display selfie camera maintains a clean front without sacrificing video calls and social shots.

Big battery, fast charging – wired and wireless

Powering the experience is a capacious 7,200mAh Si/C (silicon-carbon) battery designed for higher energy density. Long sessions of streaming or gaming should be well within reach, and top-ups are swift: the Z80 Ultra supports 90W wired and 80W wireless charging. That combination makes it one of the more flexible flagships for users who bounce between desk docks, cables, and car pads.

Audio and connectivity suite

The phone checks the right boxes for modern connectivity, including Wi-Fi 7 for multi-gigabit wireless in supported environments, Bluetooth 6.0 for accessories, NFC for payments, and a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 1) port for faster data. Media gets a premium boost via dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra spatial enhancements, and five microphones aim to improve call clarity and voice capture for creators.

Configurations, colors, and global availability

The Z80 Ultra is rolling out to global markets, including the EU and the UK, in three core configurations and several finishes:

• 12GB/256GB: $649 (£579/€649)
• 16GB/512GB: $799 (£709/€799)
• 16GB/1TB: $899 (£799/€899)

Colorways include Black, White, and a distinctive Starry Night. Black spans all memory options; White comes specifically in the 16GB/512GB trim; and the Starry Night edition is offered at $829 (£729/€829) with 16GB/512GB. Early buyers can also snag discounts – $30 off globally, £20 off in the UK, and €20 off across the EU.

Who should consider it?

If you crave an uninterrupted display, long battery life, and a camera trio that moves from ultra-wide drama to stabilized zoom with ease, the Nubia Z80 Ultra lands squarely in your lane. It’s built for gamers who value 144Hz fluidity, commuters who need all-day endurance with fast top-ups, and travelers who appreciate IP68/IP69 durability plus robust connectivity. With aggressive pricing for its class and a spec sheet that reads like a checklist of enthusiast demands, the Z80 Ultra makes a compelling case as a daily driver that doesn’t compromise on ambition.