ZTE nubia Z50S Pro vs vivo iQOO 12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 27, 2023 November 14, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 103.8 cm³ 100.33 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.98 "/g 3.42 "/g
Weight 228 g 198.5 g
Height 163.9 mm 163.2 mm
Width 76.3 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Khaki
  • Silver/White
  • Black
  • Red
  • White (BMW M branding)

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1260 x 2800 1260 x 2800
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.3 % 89.6 %
Pixel Density 452 PPI 453 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1400 nits
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 3000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 110.29 mAh/in² 108.77 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.13 mAh/cm³ 49.83 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5100 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 740 (719 MHz) Adreno 750

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 16

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureZTE nubia Z50S Provivo iQOO 12Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1 mmVirtually identical in size and feel. iQOO 12 slightly thinner.
Weight228g198.5gNoticeable weight difference; iQOO 12 will feel significantly lighter in hand.
Display
Size6.8"6.78"Negligible difference in screen real estate.
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144HzBoth offer vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. iQOO 12's LTPO panel allows for more granular refresh rate control, potentially saving battery. Its higher peak brightness (3000 nits vs 1200 nits) ensures superior outdoor visibility.
Resolution1260 x 28001260 x 2800Identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness.
Refresh Rate120Hz144HziQOO 12 offers a slightly smoother experience in supported content, particularly noticeable in fast-paced gaming.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Gen 3 offers a performance boost over Gen 2, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3...)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4...)Gen 3's improved architecture delivers better performance per watt.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750iQOO 12 will likely have a significant advantage in graphics-intensive tasks and gaming.
RAM12GB16GBiQOO 12 offers more RAM, allowing for more apps to be held in memory and smoother multitasking.
Storage1000GB512GB/1000GBBoth offer ample storage, though base iQOO 12 has half the storage of the Z50S Pro.
Camera
Video Capabilities8K@30fps, 4K@ up to 120fps8K@30fps, 4K@ up to 60fps, more slow-mo optionsBoth offer excellent video recording capabilities. iQOO 12 provides more diverse slow-motion options. No detailed camera sensor specs are available to compare image quality.
Battery
Capacity5100 mAh5000 mAhNegligible difference in battery capacity. iQOO 12's LTPO display may offer better battery efficiency overall.
Software
OSAndroid 13Android 14iQOO 12 ships with the latest Android version, offering potential feature and security advantages.

2. Key Differences Analysis

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:

  • Potentially lower price for more storage in the base model.

vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly lighter: More comfortable for extended use.
  • Brighter and more responsive display: Better outdoor visibility and smoother experience.
  • More powerful processor and GPU: Improved performance in demanding tasks and gaming.
  • More RAM: Enhanced multitasking capabilities.
  • More recent OS: Newer features and security updates.
  • More versatile slow-motion video: Greater creative flexibility.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Users prioritizing large storage at a potentially lower price.

vivo iQOO 12: Users prioritizing performance, a smooth and bright display, latest software, and a lighter device. Suitable for gamers, power users, and those who consume a lot of media.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget and storage priority?
  2. How important is peak performance and gaming?
  3. Do you value a lighter phone and a brighter, more responsive display?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Gamer: iQOO 12 for its superior performance and 144Hz display.
  • Power User: iQOO 12 for its faster processor, more RAM, and latest OS.
  • Budget-Conscious User: Z50S Pro if it offers significantly more storage for a lower price.

My Choice: vivo iQOO 12

The iQOO 12 offers significant advantages in key areas like performance, display, and overall user experience. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with the 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display and higher RAM, delivers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. While the Z50S Pro might offer more storage for the price, the iQOO 12's lighter weight, brighter display, and newer OS make it a more compelling overall package for my needs. The performance gains and improved display are worth the potential price difference.

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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