1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Reno5 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.1 × 73.4 × 7.9 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The ZTE is larger and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands or tight pockets. |
| Weight | 172g | 228g | The Oppo is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long usage and single hand operation |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | The ZTE offers more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | ZTE has sharper, more detailed images due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 409 | 452 | ZTE display will appear noticeably clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE has slightly smoother animations, particularly noticeable during fast scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 750 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE is much more readable under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | ZTE offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 325,000 | 1,579,720 | ZTE is significantly faster in app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 740 | ZTE provides significantly better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 5100mAh | ZTE should offer longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | ZTE charges slightly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 2100mAh dual-cell battery | Non-removable | Oppo offers reverse charging to charge other devices, ZTE has none. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | ZTE's larger sensor and wider aperture allow for better low-light performance; Oppo has more resolution. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | ZTE has dedicated zoom capabilities for portrait photos. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Oppo's front camera may produce more detailed selfies but has a smaller sensor size. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm | ZTE has a dedicated ultra-wide lens which is far better than Oppo’s implementation as an ultrawide/macro hybrid |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size not specified | None | Oppo has a dedicated macro camera for close-up photography |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p up to 120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K up to 120fps | ZTE provides higher resolution video recording, capable of professional grade video. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Flicker sensor, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | ZTE’s camera offers more features including Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization, Gimbal, and RAW file capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | ZTE has a newer OS with more features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 | ZTE has newer Wi-Fi with faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ZTE has newer Bluetooth with slightly better performance, and also supports AAC codec. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ZTE has support for more satellite systems for much better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/1024GB | ZTE offers much larger storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | ZTE has more RAM options for heavy users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers; ZTE has DTS / DTS X for enhanced audio; Oppo has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Unknown | Oppo’s screen is more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both devices include standard sensors. The Oppo has a light and gravity sensor; the ZTE has an ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Reno5 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter and more pocketable, making it more comfortable for extended use and single hand operation.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly using its battery.
- Screen protection: Offers a screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3+.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 offers far better CPU and GPU performance, making it much faster for all tasks.
- Better Display: Larger screen with higher resolution, better pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness.
- Enhanced Cameras: Main sensor with a wider aperture and larger sensor for better low-light performance, along with a dedicated telephoto and an ultra-wide angle lens, and advanced video capabilities.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life per charge.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster charging with 80W.
- Newer Software: Runs on Android 13 with potentially longer software update support.
- Newer Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization, Gimbal, and RAW file capture.
- More Storage: Available in a 1TB configuration.
- More RAM: Options for 12GB or 16GB RAM.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Oppo: The Reno5 5G has weaker performance and an older Android version.
- ZTE: The Z50S Pro is heavier and bulkier, lacks a display protection glass, and lacks reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Reno5 5G - Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a reliable phone at a lower price.
- Users Prioritizing Lightness and Comfort: People who want a phone that is easy to handle for prolonged periods.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and occasional photos.
- Users that want reverse wireless charging.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro - Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a large, high-quality display for watching videos and playing games.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent low-light capabilities and professional video features.
- Users that don’t mind the extra weight and size in exchange for performance and screen.
- Users that need lots of storage for their photos/videos.
Specific Use Cases:
- Oppo Reno5 5G: Ideal for students, older adults, or anyone who needs a basic smartphone for everyday use.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Ideal for mobile gamers, content creators, and professionals who require a powerful, reliable device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and future-proofing? If performance and future proofing is highly important, the ZTE is the best choice.
- Do you prioritize portability or display quality and features? The Oppo is much more portable, while the ZTE has a superior display.
- What is your budget? The Oppo is likely to be more budget-friendly, while the ZTE will be more expensive.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need a light, comfortable phone for basic tasks and are on a tight budget, the Oppo Reno5 5G is suitable.
- Scenario 2: If you need maximum performance for gaming, video editing, and a superior display for multimedia, and your budget allows it, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: If you want good cameras, need good low light performance and high end video recording capabilities, the ZTE Nubia Z50S pro should be your only choice.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While I value portability, the performance difference between the two phones is too significant to ignore. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset offers a far superior user experience in almost every scenario, including faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The enhanced display with 120Hz refresh rate, much higher brightness, better resolution and larger size is also a big draw.
While the Oppo is lighter, the improvements to performance and screen technology and overall user experience of the Z50S Pro are the biggest advantages for my use case. The camera improvements are also a big plus, and so are the larger battery and faster charging. The additional weight and size of the phone are a trade-off that I am willing to make to gain the much superior overall performance and user experience.
