The Nubia Z60 Ultra has crash-landed into the smartphone arena, promising flagship features for a fraction of the price. Is this the ultimate underdog story, or will the Z60 Ultra’s budget origins trip it up at the finish line? Dive in with me as we dissect this pocket powerhouse and see if it truly dethrones the bigwigs.
A Leap in Mobile Photography
Nubia, a global smartphone manufacturer known for innovative technology, has launched the Z60 Ultra, marking a new era in mobile photography. It’s equipped with the NeoVision photography system, featuring three main high-definition cameras. This system sets a new standard in mobile photography, offering advancements across all focal lengths and catering to various consumer needs.
Camera Capabilities:
- Triple Main Cameras: The Z60 Ultra boasts an 18mm Ultra Wide Starry Sky, a 35mm precision master, and an 85mm telephoto explorer camera, all designed to enhance photo clarity and capture efficiency.
- Computational Photography: The Galaxy Night Scene algorithm optimizes effects on ultra-wide angles, and the unique starry sky portrait algorithm allows for clear portraits against the Milky Way backdrop.
- Under-Display Camera Technology: The fifth-generation technology ensures a clearer and more refined display, with the industry’s largest front-facing single-pixel photosensitive area, enhancing the brightness and clarity of front-facing photography.
Design and Display
The Z60 Ultra showcases a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a high resolution and 1500 NITS peak brightness rating. The display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate and 2160 Hz PWM dimming, promising a highly immersive viewing experience. The phone’s design is sleek and modern, with a special Starry Night edition that adds an artistic touch.
Performance and Features
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The phone is powered by this flagship chipset, enhancing performance and energy efficiency.
- Battery and Charging: A robust 6000mAh battery supports fast charging, ensuring the phone stays powered throughout the day.
- Gaming Enhancements: With aerospace-grade thermal plates and a large vapor chamber, the Z60 Ultra is designed to keep cool under heavy gaming loads.
Pricing and Availability
The Z60 Ultra is competitively priced, starting at $599 for the 8+256GB model, $649 for 12+256GB model and $779 for 16/512GB model.
It’s available in North America, Europe, the UK, and Mexico. Early bird offers provide additional savings in various regions. However, specific pricing and availability details for some markets are yet to be announced.
User Reactions and Concerns
While many users are excited about the Z60 Ultra’s features and pricing, some have expressed concerns about ZTE’s software support track record. Others are skeptical about the under-display camera’s quality and the lack of wireless charging. Despite these concerns, the overall reception seems positive, with many eager to try out this flagship killer.
Nubia Z60 Ultra Vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
| Feature | Nubia Z60 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Angular design with a unique module on the back. Starry Night edition available. | Premium design with a more rounded and sleek appearance. |
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED, 2480×1116 resolution, 1500 NITS peak brightness, 120 Hz refresh rate, 2160 Hz PWM dimming. | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3088×1440 resolution, 1750 nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Camera System | Triple Main Cameras: 18mm Ultra Wide, 35mm master, and 85mm telephoto. Computational photography enhancements. 12MP under-display front camera. | Quad-camera setup: 108MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, two 10MP telephoto (3x and 10x optical zoom). 40MP front camera. |
| Performance | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, up to 16GB RAM, UFS 4.0 storage. | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy/Exynos 2200, up to 12GB RAM, UFS 3.1 storage. |
| Battery and Charging | 6000mAh battery, 80W wired charging, no wireless charging. | 5000mAh battery, 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. |
| Software | MyOS based on Android 14. | One UI based on Android 13. |
| Special Features | Aerospace-grade thermal plate, vapor chamber, Game Space, and Super frame stabilization. | S Pen support, Knox security, Samsung DeX, and IP68 water and dust resistance. |
| Pricing | Starts at $599 for the 8+256GB model. | Starts at around $1199 for the base model. |
Nubia Z60 Ultra Vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Feature | Nubia Z60 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Expected/Speculative) |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Angular design with a unique module on the back. Starry Night edition available. | Premium, evolved design from the S23 Ultra with possibly thinner bezels and improved ergonomics. |
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED, 2480×1116 resolution, 1500 NITS peak brightness, 120 Hz refresh rate, 2160 Hz PWM dimming. | Likely 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED, enhanced resolution and brightness, 120Hz or higher refresh rate. |
| Camera System | Triple Main Cameras: 18mm Ultra Wide, 35mm master, and 85mm telephoto. Computational photography enhancements. 12MP under-display front camera. | Expected to continue with a 108MP or improved primary sensor, enhanced ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, and advanced features like improved night photography and zoom capabilities. |
| Performance | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, up to 16GB RAM, UFS 4.0 storage. | Likely Snapdragon 8 Series next-gen or Exynos equivalent, possibly more RAM and faster storage. |
| Battery and Charging | 6000mAh battery, 80W wired charging, no wireless charging. | Expected to maintain or improve upon the 5000mAh battery, with faster charging capabilities both wired and wireless. |
| Software | MyOS based on Android 14. | Expected to run on the latest version of One UI based on the latest Android available at launch. |
| Special Features | Aerospace-grade thermal plate, vapor chamber, Game Space, and Super frame stabilization. | Likely to continue features like S Pen support, Knox security, Samsung DeX, and enhanced IP68 water and dust resistance. May introduce new innovative features. |
| Pricing | Starts at $599 for the 8+256GB model. | Typically starts at a premium price point, possibly around or above $1200 for the base model. |
Conclusion
The Nubia Z60 Ultra is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the high-end smartphone market. With its advanced photography system, powerful performance, and competitive pricing, it’s certainly a device worth considering for those looking for top-tier features without breaking the bank.
