Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition Review: Full-Screen + 35mm Imaging

In recent years, domestic flagship phones have shown comprehensive improvements in all areas, particularly in imaging, where they’ve caught up with, and even surpassed, Apple. However, this has led to strong homogeneity among flagship devices from various manufacturers. Against this backdrop of increasing convergence in the 2025 flagship market, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition stands out as a rare force of differentiation with its unique positioning of “true full-screen + 35mm humanistic imaging.” As the fifth generation of Nubia’s imaging flagship, it not only continues the brand’s focus on the 35mm focal length but also redefines the possibilities of smartphone photography with hardware upgrades and experiential optimization. After a few days of experience, we will explore the true performance of this product in terms of design, imaging, performance, and battery life.

1. Design Aesthetics: Fusion of Retro Camera and Modern Technology

The design language of the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition can be described as “visualization of photographic art.” The back of the phone uses a micro-etched leather texture glass technique, simulating the texture of retro camera leather while maintaining the durability of glass. The texture feels delicate and provides significant anti-slip effects. The rear camera module is centered around a classic red-ring lens, complemented by straight-line knurled decoration and a brushed metal cover, visually replicating the mechanical aesthetics of professional cameras. This design stands out far more than the mainstream “Oreo” design favored by other manufacturers, offering both uniqueness and lasting appeal.

The front of the phone features a 6.85-inch seventh-generation true full-screen. It is the only flagship in the industry that has continued to uphold a full-screen design, whereas other major manufacturers have abandoned this concept. Thanks to the collaboration between the UDC Ultra independent screen display chip and AI LingTuo Algorithm 7.5, the under-display camera area is almost invisible. The resolution is enhanced to 1.5K (2688×1216) and supports a 144Hz smart refresh rate and 2592Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. The screen material is BOE’s Q9 material with luminous materials, delivering a peak brightness of 2000 nits for superior outdoor visibility and eye protection, setting industry-leading standards.

Additionally, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition introduces a rare feature: a two-stage mechanical shutter button located on the side. It supports half-press focusing and full-press shooting. When holding the phone, your index finger naturally falls into place, offering a near mirrorless camera blind operation experience. This is familiar and intuitive for photography enthusiasts.

2. Imaging System: The Ultimate Evolution of the 35mm Focal Length

As the world’s first flagship phone to persist with a 35mm main camera focal length, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition brings a complete hardware upgrade. The main camera uses a custom OmniVision light and shadow master 990 sensor with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor and 50 MP resolution. Combined with an f/1.7 aperture and OIS optical image stabilization, the fifth-generation 35mm focal length increases its light-sensitive area by 36% compared to the previous generation. In practical tests, its resolution surpasses traditional 23mm cropping solutions, with significant optimization of edge quality, presenting architectural textures and plant details with a more three-dimensional look.

In terms of telephoto performance, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition is equipped with a 64 MP periscope lens supporting focal lengths between 85mm and 140mm. Additionally, it has a 15cm long-focus macro function that strikes a perfect balance between background bokeh and detail retention when shooting flowers and insects.

For ultra-wide angle, it uses a 50 MP lens, providing a 122° ultra-wide-angle view with a 2.5cm macro shooting capability, making it easy to handle landscape and creative composition.

3. Imaging Algorithm and Functional Innovation:

Beyond hardware upgrades, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition also excels in imaging algorithms and features. It is equipped with the Taishan AI Imaging System 4.0 and Neo Master technology. Its DCG dual-conversion gain HDR technology effectively suppresses highlight clipping and preserves both sky gradients and shadow details in dusk scenes. The addition of retro filters like “GRCC” and “KD200” allows users to import third-party LUT files, expanding its filter matrix and giving the photos a high degree of film texture. Additionally, it can generate star trail effects with a single click, enabling professional-level long-exposure creations without the need for a tripod, greatly reducing the barrier to entry for photography.

Test photos reveal that the 35mm focal length on the Nubia Z70S Ultra shines in street photography, offering a more compact composition with superior perspective distortion control. The f/1.7 aperture naturally creates a shallow depth of field, giving a strong narrative sense to the images. In night mode, the image purity and noise control reach the level of a 1-inch main camera, though highlight suppression remains a bit weaker compared to top-tier imaging flagships.

4. Performance: The Backbone of a Versatile Flagship

In terms of performance, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition is equally flagship-grade, powered by the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It features LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 memory, offering a well-rounded configuration in the flagship category. Geekbench 6 results show single-core performance at 2709 points and multi-core performance at 8342 points, firmly placing it among the top Android devices. In actual gaming tests, it maintained an average frame rate of 59.8 fps at ultra-high graphics for one hour in Genshin Impact, with temperatures staying under 42°C, aided by its 3D VC cooling system.

5. Battery Performance: 6600mAh + 80W Combo

In terms of battery life, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition boasts a 6600mAh third-generation South Sea high-energy silicon-carbon anode battery, which provides an ultra-high energy density. It uses industry-leading semi-solid-state battery technology for excellent performance. The phone also supports 80W fast charging, allowing it to charge the large 6600mAh battery in about 38 minutes.

In real-world battery testing, the phone retained 75% of its charge after 5 hours of heavy use (gaming, video, and social media for one hour each). The 80W fast charging can fully charge the battery in around 38 minutes. It also supports charging separation technology, reducing battery wear by 30% when charging while playing.

6. System and Ecosystem: AI-Powered Efficiency Revolution

The Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition runs the Nebula AIOS 1.5 system, deeply integrated with the DeepSeek large model, upgrading the three core experiences:

1. AI Imaging Tools: AI-powered tools like intelligent erasure of pedestrians and clutter, AI-assisted image expansion, and AI portraiture that generates studio-level portraits, greatly improving post-production efficiency.

2. Multi-Device Collaboration Ecosystem: With the Nubia Tablet Pro, it supports NFC one-touch transfer, cross-device app switching, and 4K 144Hz ultra-low latency projection, seamlessly connecting work and entertainment.

3. Dialect-Friendly Interaction: The voice assistant supports recognition of dialects such as Wu and Sichuan dialects, with AI task execution covering booking tickets, document generation, and more, deepening localization.

7. Professional Accessories and Market Positioning

One of the highlights of the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition is the professional photography kit released alongside the phone. This kit includes a handle leather case, filter adapter ring, and Neo Bar smart control bar. When connected, the physical dial allows you to adjust focus and exposure parameters, providing an experience that closely resembles a professional camera. With a starting price of 4099 RMB, it is highly competitive in terms of value for money in the imaging flagship market.

Conclusion: Differentiated Victory and Future Challenges

With its 35mm focal length, true full-screen, and retro design, the Nubia Z70S Ultra Photographer Edition has successfully carved out a new niche in the currently crowded flagship smartphone market. Nubia has consistently excelled in this space, achieving impressive results. Its imaging power is nearing that of professional cameras, and its performance and battery life are also top-tier. With further optimization of highlight suppression and the addition of wireless charging, this phone will become even more refined. For users who value personalized expression and creative freedom, this phone is not just a tool—it is a declaration of mobile imaging aesthetics.