Nubia Z80 Ultra Review: True Full Screen, 35mm Camera, 7200mAh Power

When flagship smartphones from major brands are pushing past the 5,000 yuan price threshold, the Nubia Z80 Ultra Starry Sky Collector’s Edition redefines what a flagship can be. With a true full-screen display, a 35mm humanistic triple-camera system, a massive 7,200mAh battery, and esports-grade performance, it delivers an experience usually reserved for “Ultra” models—at the price of a standard edition. At 5,094 yuan, you’re buying the ultimate experience that other brands only offer in their Ultra tiers.

Looking at the recent smartphone market, an interesting phenomenon becomes obvious: many brands’ standard flagship models have quietly risen to the “16GB + 512GB, nearly 5,000 yuan” price range. Phones like the Xiaomi 15, vivo X300, and OPPO Find X9 all stand firmly at this level, as if 5,000 yuan has become this year’s entry ticket for flagship devices.

Yet just as everyone is competing within this price bracket, one brand suddenly introduced an “Ultra” model priced similarly to other brands’ standard editions—and with even greater sincerity. That phone is the Nubia Z80 Ultra, specifically the Starry Sky Collector’s Edition. It almost feels unfair. No wonder its popularity has been climbing rapidly—after all, who wouldn’t want to pay standard-edition money for an Ultra-level device?

Let’s start with its character. The moment you hold the Z80 Ultra Starry Sky Collector’s Edition, it’s clear that this is not a traditionally restrained flagship. Instead, it carries a distinctly artistic temperament. The back panel draws inspiration from Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” trilogy, using micron-level star-track surround stereoscopic lithography. It looks as though the light of the Milky Way has been pressed directly into the glass. It’s not a superficial effect either—just a slight change in lighting brings the back panel to life. Is it expensive? Yes. But it feels expensive in a genuinely premium way. The body uses what Nubia calls “Resilient Armor Crystal Fiber.” The name may sound abstract, but the hand feel is undeniably solid. At 227g, it isn’t light, but the weight feels reassuring rather than burdensome.

Of course, an Ultra model needs more than good looks. Nubia’s strongest card this time is imaging. While many brands rely on “one-inch sensors with 50 megapixels,” the Z80 Ultra takes a completely different path with a 35mm main camera. For photography enthusiasts, 35mm is a classic humanistic focal length—natural perspective, pleasing background blur, and ideal for street photography and everyday storytelling. The main sensor is a 50MP, 1/1.3-inch large sensor that produces clean, crisp images with exceptional edge distortion control. Even casual shots easily convey a strong sense of narrative.

Even better, all three cameras operate at near main-camera standards. The 50MP ultra-wide lens delivers balanced, distortion-free images for architecture and landscapes, while the 64MP periscope telephoto with OIS captures distant details with confidence. Combined with the AI-assisted composition system, even beginners can consistently get great shots. Calling it a “street photography king” isn’t an exaggeration.

The most astonishing feature, however, is the display. This is a truly hole-free full screen. Most so-called full-screen phones still hide a punch-hole, but Nubia eliminates it entirely. The 6.85-inch Sky Full Screen reaches a stunning 95.3% screen-to-body ratio. The moment it lights up, it feels like the future display people once imagined. Using BOE X10 luminous material, it supports a 144Hz refresh rate, 2592Hz PWM eye-protection dimming, and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that unlocks at lightning speed. If this front design appeared on another brand, it would easily cost 800 yuan more.

Performance is equally reassuring. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Ultimate Edition, paired with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage, it scores up to 3.76 million points on AnTuTu, placing it firmly in the top tier of Android flagships. Nubia also integrated the RedMagic CUBE gaming engine, effectively inheriting its esports DNA. Running Genshin Impact at extreme settings with a stable 60 FPS, it averages 60.4 FPS over 30 minutes—remarkable stability. Cooling is equally impressive, with liquid metal and a massive VC system keeping temperatures below 45°C even during extended gaming sessions.

Battery life is another standout. Unlike typical flagships that merely last a day, the Z80 Ultra packs a massive 7,200mAh fourth-generation Nanhai battery. Moderate users can easily get a day and a half of usage, with screen-on time exceeding 11 hours. Charging is also fast, supporting 90W wired and 80W wireless charging, reaching full charge in about 50 minutes. Thanks to AI zero-power standby technology, overnight battery drain is almost nonexistent—go to bed at 72%, wake up at 72%.

On the software side, it runs Nebula AIOS 2, focusing on intelligent experiences. The Super Xiao Xing 2.0 AI assistant supports continuous conversations, call translation, and document search. System animations are smooth, navigation is intuitive, and everyday use feels effortless and frustration-free.

Finally, let’s talk about pricing. The launch price was 5,599 yuan, but the 16GB + 512GB version is now available for 5,094 yuan—and this is the Starry Sky Collector’s Edition. At this price, most competitors only offer standard versions. When you think about it, the value proposition feels almost counterintuitive. Yet the reality is clear: Nubia has used a true full-screen display, top-tier imaging, flagship performance, and exceptional battery life to turn other brands’ standard-edition ceilings into its own floor.