1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Pro | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2023-07-27 | The ZTE is significantly newer (by 2 years 4 months), likely with more up-to-date components and software. |
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The ZTE is slightly wider, potentially making it less comfortable for one-handed use. Both have similar height and thickness. |
| Weight | 193g | 228g | The Oppo is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Virtually identical screen sizes; negligible difference in user experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1260x2800 | The Oppo has a sharper, more detailed display. Text and images will appear crisper. |
| PPI | 525 | 452 | The Oppo's higher pixel density results in a noticeably sharper image quality and less pixelation, especially when viewing small details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE is brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The ZTE's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 876,500 | 1,579,720 | The ZTE offers substantially higher performance, ideal for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | The ZTE's newer GPU provides a significant advantage in graphics-intensive applications and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5100mAh | The ZTE's larger battery will likely provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 80W fast charging | The ZTE charges faster, reducing downtime spent waiting for the battery to fill up. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 30W wireless, Reverse wireless | Non-removable | The Oppo offers more flexible charging options, including wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800 | The ZTE main camera has larger sensor and wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Telephoto | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3M5 | 8MP, f/2.4, Hynix HI-847 | The Oppo has a Telephoto camera; the ZTE has telephoto + portrait camera, which is slightly different. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", OmniVision OV50D40 | The Oppo wide-angle has larger sensor. The ZTE has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A10 | The Oppo has a higher resolution selfie camera with a larger sensor. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | The ZTE has superior video recording capabilities, ideal for capturing higher-resolution video content. |
| DxOMark | 128 (Mobile) | N/A | The Oppo has a published DxOMark score but the ZTE doesn't. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, various modes | Triple camera, 8K, gimbal, night mode | The ZTE has some extra features, but both offer comprehensive camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | The ZTE ships with a newer Android version, and may receive further updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The ZTE supports Wi-Fi 7, offering faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The ZTE uses a slightly newer Bluetooth version, offering minor improvements in connection stability and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | The ZTE has slightly more advanced location capabilities with additional support for NavIC. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256 GB or 512 GB | 256 GB or 1024 GB | The ZTE offers up to 1TB of storage, providing significantly more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Both have sufficient RAM for demanding tasks and multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X | Both phones have stereo speakers. The Oppo benefits from Dolby Atmos enhancements; ZTE benefits from DTS/DTS X technology. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones utilize standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo has superior screen protection by using Corning Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Light, Gravity, Pedometer | Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Both feature a comprehensive set of sensors. The Oppo has a light sensor, gravity sensor, pedometer while the ZTE features Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Design: At 193g, it is noticeably more comfortable for extended use.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a superior viewing experience with crisp text and images.
- Flexible Charging: Offers reverse charging, 30W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, increasing versatility.
- Better Selfie Camera: Boasts a 32MP front camera with a larger sensor for higher quality selfies.
- Established Camera Performance: Has a published DxOMark score for reference and a more established camera system with a quadruple setup and a telephoto lens.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a higher level of scratch and impact resistance.
- Additional Sensors: Includes proximity, light sensor, gravity, pedometer which are very convenient features for most users.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset delivers much higher performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Brighter Display: Higher peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity should result in extended usage time.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging minimizes downtime.
- Superior Video Recording: Capable of recording up to 8K video and it has ultra-stable video with a gimbal.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more up-to-date Android version.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster and more reliable network connections.
- Larger Storage Option: Offers a 1TB internal storage variant for users needing substantial space.
- Newer Camera Sensor: Main camera uses a newer sensor with a wider aperture and larger sensor for better image quality, especially in low light.
Trade-offs:
- The Oppo sacrifices battery life and processing power for a lighter build and flexible charging, while the ZTE prioritizes performance and battery at the cost of extra weight.
- The Oppo has a sharper display but the ZTE offers brighter display.
- Oppo's selfie camera is better. The ZTE has telephoto+portrait camera and 8K video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Pro is ideal for:
- Users Prioritizing Comfort & Ergonomics: Those who value a lightweight phone and comfortable grip for extended usage.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize flexible charging options and a better selfie camera.
- Display Quality Focus: Users who prefer a sharper, more detailed display for consuming content and viewing high-resolution images.
- Ecosystem Integration: Users comfortable with the Oppo ecosystem and its software experience.
Use Cases:
- Daily usage involving browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts needing a good selfie camera and wireless charging.
- Users who watch lots of videos or read frequently for the benefit of the high-resolution display.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is ideal for:
- Mobile Gamers: Those who need the absolute best performance and graphics for demanding games.
- Power Users: Those who prioritize battery life and processing power for intensive multitasking.
- Video Content Creators: Those who need 8K video recording and a newer more advanced camera system for professional content creation.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology, including Wi-Fi 7 and the newest Snapdragon processor.
- Storage-Heavy Users: Those who need a large amount of internal storage for apps, photos, and videos.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming on demanding titles requiring maximum performance and smooth graphics.
- Heavy multitasking with resource-intensive apps and multiple programs running simultaneously.
- Professional video content creation requiring high-resolution recording.
- Users who heavily consume media and need large internal storage.
Price-to-Value:
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro, being newer, will likely command a higher price but offers significant upgrades in performance and battery.
- The Oppo Find X3 Pro may be a more budget-friendly option, especially if found at a reduced price given its older release.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Comfort: Do you prioritize raw power and battery life (ZTE) or a lighter design and wireless charging (Oppo)?
- Camera Use Case: Are you more focused on selfies and a more established system (Oppo), or video recording and a newer main camera (ZTE)?
- Budget: Does the premium for cutting-edge performance justify the expense of a newer model with a higher cost (ZTE), or is a more affordable, older model (Oppo) sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Casual Users: If you primarily browse, use social media, and take the occasional photo, the Oppo Find X3 Pro may be more than sufficient. Its lightweight design, sharper screen, and wireless charging provide practical advantages.
- For Gamers and Power Users: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice. Its superior chipset, battery life, and 8K video capabilities make it ideal for demanding use cases.
- For Video Content Creators: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the better option due to its higher video recording resolution and a more advanced camera system.
Personal Choice
I would personally choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While I appreciate the lighter design and sharper display of the Oppo, the sheer performance jump and better battery life of the ZTE are more important to my use case. I tend to use my phone for resource intensive applications, and the newer chip will benefit me in the long run. The 8K video recording capability is also a nice-to-have feature. Even though the selfie camera is not as good, I don't take too many selfies, which makes the trade-off more worthwhile.
