ZTE Nubia Ivy specifications and in-depth review

ZTE Nubia Ivy

Manufacturer: ZTE

The ZTE Nubia Ivy is a 5G-capable smartphone that leads with its IP67 waterproof rating, offering full dust protection and the ability to withstand submersion — a less common feature at this form factor. It runs Android 13, accommodates both a physical SIM and an eSIM, and includes an external memory slot supporting up to 1TB of additional storage alongside 128GB built-in and 6GB of RAM.

The 6.6″ IPS LCD panel resolves at 1080 x 2408 px with a pixel density of 400 ppi, though it does not support HDR10, Dolby Vision, or an Always-On Display mode. The triple rear camera system pairs a 50MP f/1.8 main lens with two 2MP f/2.4 auxiliaries, supports phase-detection autofocus, continuous autofocus during video, HDR mode, and a range of manual controls including exposure, ISO, focus, and white balance, with video capture capped at 1080p at 30fps. The 4420 mAh battery charges at 22.5W over wired connection only, with no wireless charging and no charger included in the box. Connectivity covers 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, GPS with Galileo support, and a USB Type-C port running at USB 2.0 speeds.

Pros
  • IP67 waterproof certification provides full dust protection and resistance to submersion, adding meaningful durability for everyday use
  • NFC support enables contactless payments and short-range data transfers
  • 5G connectivity is included alongside eSIM support, giving flexible carrier options without needing a second physical SIM
  • External memory expansion up to 1TB offers significant storage headroom beyond the built-in 128GB
  • A built-in radio tuner allows FM reception independently of internet connectivity
  • The 50MP main camera with phase-detection autofocus, continuous autofocus during video, and a range of manual controls gives reasonable shooting flexibility
Cons
  • Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps with no HDR10 or Dolby Vision support, limiting video output quality
  • There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack and no support for any high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs, making wired and high-fidelity wireless audio inaccessible
  • The display lacks HDR10, Dolby Vision, Always-On Display, and branded damage-resistant glass, reducing its capability for media and screen protection
  • No charger is included in the box despite the device relying solely on wired charging at 22.5W with no wireless charging option
  • The single mono speaker setup offers a limited audio output experience for media consumption
  • Wi-Fi support tops out at Wi-Fi 5 with no Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, which may be a limitation in newer network environments
Who is this for?

The ZTE Nubia Ivy is a practical fit for users who prioritize physical durability, as its IP67 waterproof rating makes it well-suited for outdoor use, wet environments, or jobs where accidental exposure to water is a realistic concern. The inclusion of NFC alongside 5G and eSIM support appeals to users who want contactless payment capability and flexible carrier switching without managing two physical SIM cards. Those who need extended local storage will also benefit from the external memory slot supporting up to 1TB, making it a reasonable choice for users who store large amounts of media locally. The built-in FM radio adds a practical touch for users who want broadcast access without depending on data connectivity.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who care about display quality for streaming or media consumption will find the Nubia Ivy limiting, as the IPS LCD panel lacks HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Always-On Display support, and no branded damage-resistant glass is present. The audio experience is similarly restricted — there is no 3.5 mm jack, no stereo speakers, and none of the high-fidelity Bluetooth codecs are available, making it a poor match for anyone who prioritizes wired or high-quality wireless audio. Video enthusiasts will also be frustrated by the 1080p at 30fps recording ceiling and the absence of optical image stabilization, which limits the camera's usefulness for smooth or high-resolution video capture. Finally, users who rely on wireless charging or need a charger in the box will need to plan accordingly, as neither is provided.

Design:

water resistance Waterproof
weight 194 g
thickness 8.6 mm
width 76 mm
height 166 mm
volume 108.4976 cm³
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP67
has a rugged build
can be folded

The ZTE Nubia Ivy is a standard, non-folding smartphone measuring 166 mm tall, 76 mm wide, and 8.6 mm thick, with a total volume of approximately 108.5 cm³ and a weight of 194 g. Its most notable design attribute is the IP67 rating, which certifies full dust protection and resistance to submersion in water, classifying it as waterproof rather than merely splash-resistant. Despite this level of protection, it does not carry a dedicated rugged build designation.

Display:

Display type LCD, IPS
screen size 6.6"
pixel density 400 ppi
resolution 1080 x 2408 px
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The device uses a 6.6″ IPS LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1080 x 2408 px and a pixel density of 400 ppi, producing a reasonably sharp image across its surface. The panel does not support HDR10, HDR10+, or Dolby Vision, and there is no Always-On Display functionality or secondary screen. Branded damage-resistant glass is also absent from the display.

Performance:

internal storage 128GB
RAM 6GB
maximum amount of external memory supported 1024GB

The ZTE Nubia Ivy comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, providing a functional baseline for everyday use. Storage can be extended significantly through an external memory card slot that supports up to 1TB of additional capacity, giving users considerable room to grow without being locked into the built-in option.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 50 & 2 & 2 MP
wide aperture (main camera) 1.8 & 2.4 & 2.4f
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 8MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 0x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
wide aperture (front camera) 2f
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The rear camera is a triple-lens system built around a 50MP f/1.8 CMOS main sensor, supported by two 2MP f/2.4 auxiliary lenses, with phase-detection autofocus, touch autofocus, and continuous autofocus during video all included; laser autofocus and optical image stabilization are not present. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30fps, with slow-motion and timelapse modes available, but there is no HDR10 or Dolby Vision video support. Manual controls cover exposure, ISO, focus, and white balance, while manual shutter speed and RAW capture are absent; the camera also supports HDR stills, burst mode, and standard panoramas but not 360° panoramas. A single LED flash assists with lighting, with no dual-tone or RGB flash. The front camera offers 8MP resolution at f/2.0 in a single-lens, standard placement setup, with no front flash.

Operating system:

Android version Android 13
gets direct OS updates
Can be used as a PC
has voice commands

The ZTE Nubia Ivy runs Android 13 out of the box and supports voice commands for hands-free interaction. OS updates are not delivered directly from the vendor, which may affect the timeliness of future software support. The device cannot be used as a PC replacement.

Battery:

battery power 4420 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 22.5W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The phone houses a non-removable 4420 mAh rechargeable battery with a built-in level indicator for monitoring charge status. It supports 22.5W wired fast charging, though wireless charging is not available and no charger is included in the box.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio

The ZTE Nubia Ivy's audio setup is fairly limited — there is no 3.5 mm headphone jack, no stereo speaker configuration, and none of the high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, or LDAC are supported. The one audio-related feature present is a built-in radio tuner, which allows FM reception without relying on streaming.

Connectivity & Features:

has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SIM cards 1 SIM, 1 eSIM
Bluetooth version 5.1
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

The ZTE Nubia Ivy supports 5G cellular connectivity and accommodates one physical SIM alongside one eSIM, with Wi-Fi covering versions 4 and 5, and Bluetooth 5.1 for short-range wireless. NFC is included, enabling contactless payments and data exchange, while a fingerprint scanner handles biometric authentication; 3D facial recognition and an iris scanner are not available. Navigation is covered by GPS with Galileo support, complemented by a gyroscope, compass, and accelerometer, though a barometer, infrared sensor, and heart rate monitor are all absent. The USB Type-C port operates at USB 2.0 speeds with no HDMI output, and an external memory slot adds further storage flexibility. Features such as crash detection, emergency SOS via satellite, ANT+, DLNA certification, motion tracking, optical tracking, and a built-in projector are not present, and no stylus is included.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

The device includes a video light to aid illumination during video capture. The display is flat rather than curved, and uses neither sapphire glass nor an e-paper panel.

Final Verdict

The ZTE Nubia Ivy carves out a clear identity around physical resilience, with its IP67 waterproof certification standing as the most distinctive attribute in its specification set — a genuine differentiator for users who work or spend time in environments where most smartphones would be at risk. Paired with 5G connectivity, NFC, eSIM support, and generous external storage expansion, it covers the practical connectivity and storage bases reasonably well. That said, its limitations in display capability, audio output, and video recording mean it asks users to accept real compromises in media and content creation scenarios. For those whose priorities sit firmly around durability, everyday connectivity, and storage flexibility rather than display fidelity or camera versatility, the Nubia Ivy delivers a coherent and functional package.