Google Pixel 9a vs ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra
Verdict
Google Pixel 9a and ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra tie on the OH Rank at a score of 59. Google Pixel 9a wins on Screen and Software; ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra wins on Performance and Battery. ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra is 3.8mm wider than Google Pixel 9a. ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra is the more recent release, from Apr 28, 2025.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
59
59
Google Pixel 9a
73.3mm (2.89in) · Apr 10, 2025 · Rank #188
5+6+13+12+9+3+3+0+5+3 = 59
* TOP SoftwareMidrange
EDITORIAL: Google's budget option always comes with the fastest Tensor chip and this year it has a new main camera for excellent 1x, 2x and macro photos, portraits and videos. Other two lenses are carried over from 8a and leave a lot to be desired. They also bring down main camera's excellent scores... There is a fast USB-C 3.2 port on board with a proper video out and it allows for some limited desktop replacement functionality. The battery got a meaningful 600mAh upgrade, endurance is under 30hr. Screen is excellent: high brightness, good pixel density and HDR10+ too but it may bother some users with a relatively low PWM dimming frequency. Like other Pixel phones, the software is the star of the show: packed with smarts (AI and otherwise) and up to 7 years of OS updates but one has to wonder if Tensor G4 will allow for that.
PROs
attractive design with nice colors, good Tensor G4 with UFS 3.1 performance, 24hr endurance from a 5100mAh lithium battery, 1900nits bright 420ppi P-OLED screen with HDR10+, IP68 protection, flagship-grade 48MP 25mm dual-pixel OIS PDAF main + very average performing 13MP 26mm ultrawide, average 13MP 20mm selfie, average video recording, stock Android OS loaded with AI and other features and promise of 7 years of updates, limited desktop replacement functionality, fast USB-C 3.2 port with video out
CONs
chunky screen bezels, plastic back side, only 8GB of RAM, >100min slow 23W (7W wireless) charging, low frequency PWM dimming, fixed-focus ultrawide and selfie struggle in low light, no memory expansion, limited market availability
ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra
77.1mm (3.04in) · Apr 28, 2025 · Rank #187
9+8+9+12+12+3+3+0+3+0 = 59
EDITORIAL: ZTE Nubia has always marched to it's own drum. Best known for it's beautiful selfie-notch-less screens, Nubia delivers another unique phone with a glass back that looks and feels like leather, tiny screen bazels, 144Hz bright screen but it's ambition is in the imaging department that brings a triple lens including a 35mm main and a two-stage camera shutter as well. There is another hardware button that can be asigned to different purposes.
PROs
original and unique, fast SD 8 Elite with UFS 4.0 performance, sub-50min 80W charging, >1400nits bright 430ppi 144Hz AMOLED screen, IP69 protection, excellent pics from 50MP 35mm OIS PDAF main + 64MP 70mm OIS PDAF telephoto + 50MP 13mm PDAF ultrawide back cameras, the under-display 16MP 24mm selfie is finally taking some nice pics, fast USB-C 3.2 port with OTG
CONs
can get very hot under heavy load, only 24hr endurance from a relatively large 6600mAh Si-C battery, no Dolby Vision or HDR10+, camera software could be more intuitive, average video recording quality, no SD memory expansion, short OS update policy, no desktop replacement functionality or Video out
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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