ZTE nubia Z50S Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 27, 2023 September 20, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 103.8 cm³ 82.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.98 "/g 3.59 "/g
Weight 228 g 170 g
Height 163.9 mm 147.6 mm
Width 76.3 mm 71.6 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Khaki
  • Silver/White
  • Black
  • White
  • Pink
  • Teal
  • Ultramarine

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1260 x 2800 1179 x 2556
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.3 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 452 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 1000 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 2000 nits
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 110.29 mAh/in² 95.70 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.13 mAh/cm³ 43.2 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5100 mAh 3561 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) Apple A18 (3 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)
GPU Adreno 740 (719 MHz) Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1 USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 13 18
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Z50S ProApple iPhone 16Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mmiPhone 16 is noticeably smaller and potentially easier to handle one-handed.
Weight228g170giPhone 16 is significantly lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Build MaterialsNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality and durability without more information.
Display
Size6.8"6.1"Z50S Pro offers a larger screen for media consumption, but might be less pocketable.
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby VisionBoth offer high-quality displays; Z50S Pro boasts more colors, impacting visual richness.
Resolution1260 x 28001179 x 2556Z50S Pro has a slightly higher resolution, but the difference in sharpness might be negligible in real-world use due to smaller iPhone screen size.
Refresh Rate120HzNot specified120Hz on the Z50S Pro ensures smoother scrolling and animations. Cannot compare without iPhone 16's refresh rate.
Peak Brightness1200 nits2000 nits (HBM)iPhone 16's higher peak brightness (especially with HBM) will improve outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 2Apple A18Both are top-tier chipsets, expecting excellent performance. Apple's A18 is newer, potentially offering performance gains.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)Core configuration differences are less relevant than overall performance in real-world use. Benchmarking is needed for accurate comparison.
GPUAdreno 740 (719 MHz)Apple GPU (5-core graphics)GPU performance impacts gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. Cross-platform comparison is difficult without benchmarks.
RAM12GB8GBZ50S Pro has more RAM, potentially allowing for better multitasking.
Storage1000GB256GB/512GBZ50S Pro offers a larger base storage option, beneficial for users with extensive media libraries.
Camera
Video Capabilities8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@ various fps and HDRBoth offer extensive video recording options; Z50S Pro boasts 8K recording. Actual image quality cannot be compared based on specs alone.
Battery
Capacity5100 mAh3561 mAhZ50S Pro has a significantly larger battery capacity, suggesting longer battery life. Real-world usage will vary.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:

  • Larger display for immersive media consumption.
  • Higher resolution and refresh rate for smoother visuals.
  • Significantly larger battery capacity for potentially extended usage.
  • More RAM for superior multitasking.
  • Larger base storage.
  • 8K video recording capability.

Apple iPhone 16 Advantages:

  • Smaller and lighter form factor for easier one-handed use.
  • Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility.
  • Newer A18 Bionic chip promising superior performance.
  • More mature software ecosystem with potentially longer software updates.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Ideal for power users, gamers, and media enthusiasts who prioritize a large screen, long battery life, and ample storage.

Apple iPhone 16: Suitable for users who value a compact and lightweight design, a bright display, a robust app ecosystem, and the latest Apple silicon.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What screen size and form factor do you prefer?
  2. How important is battery life to you?
  3. Which operating system (Android or iOS) do you prefer?

My Choice:

I would choose the Apple iPhone 16. While the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro boasts impressive specs on paper, particularly in battery and display size, the iPhone 16's combination of a powerful new processor, compact design, bright display, and the mature iOS ecosystem is more appealing to me. The likely superior performance and software support, alongside a more comfortable form factor, outweigh the benefits of the larger screen and battery for my personal use. Additionally, Apple's historically strong performance in image processing makes me optimistic about the iPhone 16's camera, even without detailed specifications. The significant difference in weight is a deciding factor for everyday comfort.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.