Z80 Ultra vs Poco F8 Ultra
Winner
Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra
Lifespan decides this one: the Poco F8 Ultra is supported until Nov 2031 at $10.94 per month of safe use, while the Z80 Ultra runs out in Oct 2028 ($25.32/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.
Value Score: Z80 Ultra 63 · Poco F8 Ultra 75 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
A big-battery, full-screen flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a true periscope zoom at a sub-$750 price, held back by Nubia's short and vague update record.
Pick it if
- ✓ Buyers who want flagship power and a massive battery for the money
- ✓ People who love a clean, notch-free all-screen design
- ✓ Users who value fast wired and wireless charging plus a real periscope zoom
Skip it if
- ✗ You want long, guaranteed OS and security support
- ✗ You prefer polished software and wide local warranty coverage
The Poco F8 Ultra undercuts Xiaomi's own flagships at $729, backing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Bose-tuned dual speakers with a confirmed 4-year OS / 6-year security promise through November 2031.
Pick it if
- ✓ Buyers who want flagship performance without flagship pricing
- ✓ Anyone prioritizing a documented, multi-year update promise
Skip it if
- ✗ You want the biggest possible battery in this class
- ✗ You need official US carrier warranty support
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The Poco F8 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch amoled, 2k, 120hz, up to 3500 nits peak, hdr10+/dolby vision.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The Poco F8 Ultra is supported until Nov 2031 — 37 months longer than the Z80 Ultra.
Overall value goes to the Poco F8 Ultra at $10.94 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
When does the Nubia Z80 Ultra stop getting updates?
Nubia and parent ZTE make no clear multi-year update promise. In practice their flagships have often received only one to two Android upgrades and a couple of years of patches. We estimate around 2 OS updates and roughly 3 years of security support from its October 2025 launch (into about 2028), which is shorter than most mainstream flagships, so buy it for the hardware, not the software timeline.
Is the Nubia Z80 Ultra worth buying in 2026?
For the price it is one of the best hardware bargains around: a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 7200mAh battery, a genuine periscope zoom and an under-display camera for well under $750. The trade-offs are Nubia's rougher software and short update support, so it suits enthusiasts and value hunters more than someone who wants years of guaranteed updates.
How long will the Poco F8 Ultra be supported?
Poco confirmed 4 years of Android/HyperOS version upgrades and 6 years of security patches for the F8 series, putting end-of-support around November 2031 -- about 5.4 years remain from a mid-2026 purchase.
Is the Poco F8 Ultra sold in the US?
It has a genuine global retail launch and is available through Xiaomi's online store and authorized resellers in many regions, but it isn't carried by US carriers, so US buyers are effectively importing without a domestic warranty.
Full spec table
| Spec | Z80 Ultra | Poco F8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $680 | $700 |
| Display | 6.85-inch flat AMOLED, 1216x2688 (1.5K), 144Hz, 2000-nit peak, under-display selfie camera | 6.9-inch AMOLED, 2K, 120Hz, up to 3500 nits peak, HDR10+/Dolby Vision |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 7,200 mAh | 6,500 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired (up to 90W with official charger), 80W wireless | 100W wired, 50W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 64MP telephoto, 50MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP periscope 5x, 50MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm | 163.3 x 77.8 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 227 g | 218 g |
| Water resistance | IP68/IP69 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Oct 2028 | Nov 2031 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.