Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition : A Smartphone That Shoots Like a Camera

In a time when smartphones are increasingly looking alike, Nubia is taking a different path by introducing a phone that looks like a “camera.” It’s more than just a retro aesthetic—it’s about rethinking how photography should be done. The Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition is exactly such a “restless” device. It’s not made for everyone, but a serious tool made for “the few” who genuinely love photography and care about image tonality.

At the launch event of the Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition, Nubia proposed three key phrases: under-display camera, 35mm custom optics, and AI integration. These may sound like official marketing buzzwords, but in plain language, they mean: we insist on doing what others don't, and we’ve done it for five years.

The imaging system is the soul of a “Photographer’s Edition.” The Z70S Ultra’s 35mm custom lens is its core label. If you’re used to taking photos with a phone, “35mm” may not mean much; but if you’ve handled a camera or shot on film, 35mm is almost the starting point of documentary photography. It’s neither wide nor telephoto—just perfect for recording the world in front of you. This lens has an aperture of F1.7 and is paired with the domestically produced Omnivision custom “Light and Shadow Master 990” main camera sensor. It features a large 1/1.3-inch sensor and dual-axis phase detection autofocus for faster and more accurate focusing. Nubia claimed at the event that its “image quality surpasses one-inch sensors,” which might sound like marketing fluff, but in practice, the shooting experience is indeed quite impressive.

You can even manually import LUT filters and try to “bring” your favorite cinematic tones into your photos. Nubia has also pre-installed many film simulation styles. With the support of the “Taishan Imaging System 4.0,” night scenes, star trails, and portrait bokeh can all be handled by AI. More importantly, you can choose to “shoot like a machine” or “shoot like a human.”

The Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition continues to use an under-display front camera, upgraded to the seventh-generation “true full screen.” This means there’s nothing to interrupt the view: no punch hole, no pill, no notch—just a complete, uninterrupted display. This kind of persistence is almost lonely. In the entire Android ecosystem, only Nubia is still doing it—and doing it better than before.

The screen itself is a 6.85-inch AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, making everyday use very smooth. Although it doesn’t go all-in on 2K or push brightness to thousands of nits like some “spec-sheet competitions,” the balance between visuals and actual usability is very pleasant. Most importantly, this screen combined with the retro body creates a truly “pure” visual experience. When composing shots, it feels even more immersive, like using a real camera.

Don’t think this phone is just wearing a “Photographer’s Edition” label—it’s done a lot to mimic the appearance of a camera. For example, the leather-textured glass back isn’t just a glued-on leather layer, but achieved with micro-etching craftsmanship. It feels slightly resistant to the touch and definitely feels more like photography equipment than those “large glass slabs.” The red-ring lens accents and protruding metal frame design all exude a “film flavor.” If you’ve ever used Leica, Rollei, or vintage Nikon gear, one glance at this phone evokes some real nostalgia.

There are also small details, like the physical shutter button that supports half-press focusing and full-press shutter—catering even to the “feel” of taking a photo. The most impressive is the “magnetic photography kit,” which is something “those who get it, will get.” It offers a full set of photography accessories, including a grip, filter adapter ring, control dial, and even the ability to mount T-mount lenses. In other words, if you’re willing to tinker, the Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition can truly “half-transform” into a camera.

Don’t think it’s just “good-looking + capable of shooting.” In terms of performance, it features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Edition, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage—top-tier performance in the entire Android ecosystem. Geekbench 6 single-core scores exceed 2700. While benchmark scores aren’t the main point, the key is excellent thermal management. With its 3D stereo VC cooling, long video shooting sessions won’t overheat your hands.

As for the battery, the Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition takes a non-conventional route: a 6600mAh large-capacity silicon-carbon negative electrode battery. It not only offers large capacity but also better endurance. Paired with 80W fast charging, charging speed remains fast. According to official tests, it retains 75% battery after 5 hours of heavy use—an “endurance warrior” among flagship phones with 4000–5000mAh batteries.

Of course, the Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition isn’t without flaws. For instance, the ultra-wide-angle lens is rather average. The native 13mm focal length yields just so-so image quality, and even the AI-interpolated 18mm is usable but lacks sharpness in large scenes. Its dynamic range in high-contrast night scenes also isn’t top-tier, trailing behind some “spec-stacking maniacs.” In addition, the 220g body is slightly heavy, and prolonged holding can be tiring. The biggest pity is the lack of wireless charging, which is a bit regrettable at this price point.

Still, for photography enthusiasts, it may not be perfect, but it’s rare. In 2025, if you're still willing to take photography seriously, then the Z70S Ultra Photographer’s Edition is the phone the mobile world has prepared just for you.