Apple iPhone Air vs Nubia Z80 Ultra
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Nubia Z80 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $999 and $749. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nubia Z80 Ultra leads — 85/100 vs 75/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Nubia Z80 Ultra has the bigger battery (6500 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Nubia Z80 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,942,923 vs 2,538,751); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 225g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Nubia Z80 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3639
- Lighter: 165g vs 225g
- Better display (85/100 vs 83/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 38/100)
What makes Nubia Z80 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3942923 vs 2538751
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 9800
- Bigger battery: 6500 vs 3149 mAh
- Faster charging: 80W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Faster wireless charging: 80W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $749 vs $999
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (79/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (81/100 vs 26/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Nubia Z80 Ultra, the Nubia Z80 Ultra scores 10 points higher (85/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra leads (81/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 60/100, Nubia Z80 Ultra — 84/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra is a bit better (98/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Nubia Z80 Ultra are nearly equal (85/100 vs 83/100). In the "camera" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra is a bit better (79/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (81/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Nubia Z80 Ultra (96/100 vs 38/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Nubia Z80 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 3942923 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 2688x1216 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 6500 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 80W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 80W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 64 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 164.5×77.2×8.6 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 225 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $749 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Nubia Z80 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.59
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 16MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nubia Z80 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2688x1216
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Nubia Z80 Ultra
- 6500 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 14:17 hrs, total 34:15 hrs
- Wired: 80W
- Wireless: 80W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Nubia Z80 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Nubia Z80 Ultra leads Apple iPhone Air by 35.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $250. Nubia Z80 Ultra was $250 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra is a bit better (98/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Nubia Z80 Ultra are nearly equal (85/100 vs 83/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra is a bit better (79/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nubia Z80 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (81/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Nubia Z80 Ultra (96/100 vs 38/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Nubia Z80 Ultra?
The Nubia Z80 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone Air — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Nubia Z80 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Nubia Z80 Ultra — 85/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Nubia Z80 Ultra?
The Nubia Z80 Ultra leads on camera score (79/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Nubia Z80 Ultra?
The Nubia Z80 Ultra leads on performance (98/100 vs 92/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Nubia Z80 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Nubia Z80 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.