Nubia Z80 Ultra Camera Samples Show Off a 35mm Lens That Feels Like Film

The Nubia Z80 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most interesting camera phones of the year — not because it’s chasing megapixel madness, but because it’s chasing realism. Ahead of its official debut on October 22 in China, Nubia has shared camera samples that put its new triple-lens system on display, and the results look surprisingly natural.

The Z80 Ultra is built around a thoughtfully balanced triple-camera setup: a 35mm main lens (50MP OV990, f/1.7, 1/1.3-inch sensor), an 18mm ultra-wide (f/1.8, 1/1.55-inch), and a 70mm telephoto (f/2.4, OIS, up to 50x hybrid zoom). This configuration suggests Nubia is leaning into classic photography principles — focal lengths that echo real cameras, rather than the exaggerated perspective of typical smartphone lenses.

Early samples show a shift in philosophy. The main 35mm lens produces lifelike colors and soft contrast that feel closer to film than the hyper-saturated tone many phones favor. Nubia calls this approach “natural imaging,” and from what’s been teased, it might live up to that promise. Some shots appear a bit compressed (likely due to Weibo upload limits), but the tone and texture hint at serious potential.

The ultra-wide camera also looks improved, moving from the Z70S Ultra’s 13mm f/2.0 to an 18mm f/1.8 setup with a larger sensor. The result? Less distortion, better light capture, and a more grounded sense of perspective. Meanwhile, the telephoto lens delivers clean edge definition and accurate subject separation, even under zoom — not an easy feat for hybrid setups.

Design-wise, the Z80 Ultra keeps Nubia’s signature retro-camera aesthetic, complete with a dedicated shutter button and curved edges. The camera housing has been refined to look more elegant, balancing nostalgia with a modern premium finish. It’s the kind of phone that could sit confidently next to a Fujifilm X100 or Leica Q on a café table.

Under the hood, it’s all 2025 flagship muscle — Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a rumored 7,200mAh battery, and the promise of better endurance than most premium phones. If those numbers hold true, the Z80 Ultra could appeal to travelers, vloggers, and creators who want pro-style visuals without lugging a separate camera.

There’s something refreshing about Nubia’s approach here. In a world of aggressive HDR, AI filters, and social-media-ready gloss, the Z80 Ultra seems to be saying: maybe photography doesn’t need to look perfect — just real.