The nubia V80 Design is the latest addition to nubia Philippines’ smartphone lineup, aiming to blend style, practicality, and reliability at an accessible price. With a slim 7.7mm profile, a 120Hz high-refresh-rate display, and AI-powered cameras, does it hold up beyond looks? Here’s our full review.
nubia V80 Design Specifications
- Display: 6.75-inch FHD+ (1940 × 900) display, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 800 nits brightness
- Processor: Unisoc T7280 (Octa-Core, 2.2GHz)
- RAM: 4GB / 8GB physical RAM + 4GB dynamic RAM (up to 12GB total)
- Storage: 256GB internal storage
- Rear Cameras: 50MP main + 2MP depth sensor, AI imaging
- Selfie Camera: 16MP punch-hole front camera with AI enhancement
- Connectivity: Dual Nano SIM + microSD slot, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, USB Type-C
- Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual microphones
- OS: MyOS 16 (based on Android W)
- Battery and Fast Charge Tech: 5000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging
- Colors: Midnight Black, Celadon Cyan, Pale Amber
What’s in the box: The official retail box contains the phone itself, a clear case, the SIM and microSD tray pin, the USB A-C data and charging cable, the 22.5-watt charger, and a quick guide.
nubia V80 Design: Design and Construction
Design-wise, the nubia V80 Design makes a strong impression. The V80 Design manages to look like a premium device without feeling like it’s trying too hard. From a distance, it could easily be mistaken for an iPhone 17 Pro Max due to the raised full camera area, rounded corners, and neatly arranged lenses. This resemblance isn’t just a coincidence; it seems intentional, offering users that “premium” aesthetic at a fraction of the cost.
The back panel feels refined, with a minimalist matte finish that resists fingerprints while maintaining a soft texture. The phone’s thinness at 7.7mm gives it a distinct edge over most budget smartphones that tend to be bulkier. It feels solid, lightweight, and balanced in hand, suitable for long use without wrist fatigue.
nubia’s attention to ergonomics shows through small details: the flat edges sit well against the palm, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is positioned naturally where the thumb rests. There’s also a button at the left side that is meant for AI space (storing screenshots in a bank with AI interpretations) by default, but can be configured to function differently in settings. The brand clearly aimed for everyday comfort rather than flashy design gimmicks.
nubia V80 Design: Display and Audio
The 6.75-inch FHD+ display delivers more than expected from its price point. The screen is bright and fluid, with a 120Hz refresh rate that makes every scroll, animation, and swipe look seamless. It’s especially noticeable when switching between social apps or navigating menus, an experience smoother than typical 60Hz panels.
Color reproduction leans slightly warm, giving skin tones a natural appearance and videos a softer look. The display’s 800 nits brightness handles outdoor use fairly well, though reflections are visible under direct sunlight. Still, for a budget phone, it offers a surprisingly pleasant viewing experience.
For audio, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is practical. Many users still rely on wired earphones, especially for stable audio during video calls or gaming. The loudspeaker produces clear mids but lacks bass depth, which is typical for its class. However, call quality and voice recordings benefit from the dual microphone setup, which minimizes background noise effectively.
Overall, the combination of a large 120Hz screen and solid audio support makes the V80 Design ideal for casual media consumption and light gaming sessions.
nubia V80 Design: Camera
The nubia V80 Design’s camera system performs reliably for its price. The 50MP main sensor captures detailed shots in daylight, maintaining clarity without overprocessing. AI enhancement subtly boosts color and contrast, often improving dynamic range in high-contrast scenes.
Its resemblance to the iPhone extends beyond looks, the camera placement gives photos a familiar framing balance. While it doesn’t match flagship image processing, nubia’s tuning does a good job of making colors pop without appearing artificial.
Portrait shots look decent with controlled background blur, thanks to the 2MP depth sensor. Edge detection is not always perfect, but skin tones appear consistent. Low-light photography, on the other hand, shows some softness and visible noise. The AI night enhancement brightens scenes but sacrifices sharpness, which is common for this range.
The 16MP front camera produces satisfying selfies with good color balance. AI beautification is gentle, improving skin tone and texture without erasing details. For users who like quick snaps or short-form content, it performs well under daylight and indoor lighting.
Video quality peaks at 1080p. Stabilization works moderately well for walking shots, but sudden hand movements are noticeable. In practical use, though, the results are fine for vlogs or casual videos.
nubia V80 Design: Performance
The nubia V80 Design prioritizes stability over speed — a smart move that ensures consistent day-to-day usability instead of chasing benchmark numbers.
The Unisoc T7280 chip inside the nubia V80 Design is made for efficiency rather than raw speed. It handles basic tasks smoothly, from browsing and messaging to light gaming and streaming. Switching between apps feels responsive, especially on the 8GB RAM model with virtual expansion to 12GB.
What’s impressive is how nubia manages system performance with minimal lag, even when running multiple apps in the background. It’s not designed for heavy gaming, but titles like Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile run decently on medium settings. Frame drops are rare unless you push it with graphics-heavy titles.
The MyOS 16 interface, built on Android W, is clean and intuitive. There’s little bloatware, and transitions feel polished. The UI design complements the phone’s simple, balanced, and user-friendly physical style.
Connectivity is another strong suit. It supports dual SIM cards with a dedicated microSD slot, NFC for tap payments, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and USB Type-C. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is snappy, while face unlock performs reliably even under indoor lighting.
nubia V80 Design: Battery and Charging
Despite its slim frame, the nubia V80 Design manages to fit a 5000mAh battery, a notable engineering achievement given the 7.7mm body. In real use, it easily lasts a full day of mixed tasks including social media, music streaming, and messaging.
The 22.5W fast charging is another welcome feature. From empty, it reaches 50% in around 30 minutes, and a full charge takes roughly 90 minutes. During testing, the phone maintained a reasonable temperature even when charging while multitasking.
Battery endurance aligns with user expectations for its class. Light users can stretch it to nearly two days, while heavy users still get through a full day without reaching for a power bank. nubia clearly tuned its power management well, balancing performance and efficiency without unnecessary background drain.
The Rundown
The nubia V80 Design manages to bring together premium looks, reliable daily performance, and thoughtful features all at a price within reach for most users. Its iPhone-inspired design is an obvious selling point, but the phone offers more than imitation. It feels refined, polished, and surprisingly capable for its category.
Students, professionals, and casual users will find it a dependable companion for productivity, communication, and light entertainment. It’s not meant for performance enthusiasts, but it nails the basics while maintaining an upscale feel.
The nubia V80 Design is priced at PHP 5,799 for the 4GB+256GB model and PHP 6,499 for the 8GB+256GB variant. It is now available through nubia stores and kiosk, and authorized retailers nationwide and online stores at nubia’ official online shops in Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
