Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version Review: Powerful but Flawed Flagship

The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version might have a long name, but it’s worth remembering. This latest offering from Nubia is a bold attempt to disrupt the dominance of established brands like Samsung and Google in the flagship smartphone market. With a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version chip, a massive battery, and an aggressive price tag, the Nubia Z60 Ultra is aiming high. However, it faces stiff competition in the areas of photography and software quality, making it a niche choice for users who prioritize performance and a distinctive design.

Price and Availability

Starting at $649/£649 for the base model (8GB RAM/256GB storage), the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version undercuts many of its competitors. More powerful versions with increased memory and storage are also available, maxing out at $879/£929 for 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. Compared to flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Z60 Ultra Leading Version offers a similar, if not better, spec sheet for a significantly lower price.

Design and Display

Nubia has embraced the flat-sided design trend with a bold approach, crafting a phone that looks like a sleek, futuristic slab. Its sharp corners and prominent rear camera block, which can snag on your pocket, make a striking visual statement. Available in black and silver, with a unique marbled design for the silver variant, the phone’s aesthetics stand out.

The Z60 Ultra features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,500 nits. This puts it in direct competition with high-end models from Samsung and Google. However, its resolution falls between full HD and quad HD, which may be a drawback for those seeking the highest possible pixel density.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, a 64MP telephoto with 2.4x optical zoom, and a 12MP under-display selfie camera, the Z60 Ultra’s camera setup is impressive on paper. However, in real-world tests, its image quality often lacks the color vibrancy and consistency found in photos from the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24. While the under-display selfie camera provides a seamless look, its performance in capturing fine details leaves room for improvement.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version chip offers top-tier performance, with benchmark scores that outpace most Android competitors, though slightly lagging behind Samsung’s custom version of the same chip. While the Z60 Ultra handles demanding games and applications smoothly, users may notice the device heating up under intensive use.

Battery and Charging

With a 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version promises extended battery life. In testing, it performed better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra in video playback endurance, though not as efficiently as the OnePlus 12. The included 80W charger can fully charge the phone in under an hour, which is impressive but not groundbreaking given the battery’s large capacity.

Software, AI, and Special Features

Running on Android 14 with Nubia’s MyOS 14.0 skin, the Z60 Ultra offers a relatively straightforward user experience, focusing on hardware over software frills. While it includes basic AI tools for photography, it lacks the advanced capabilities found in Google’s Pixel devices. One downside is the poorly translated menus, which can detract from the overall user experience. The phone is expected to receive three major Android updates, which is below the standard set by Google and Samsung.

If you’re considering switching to the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version or any other smartphone, transferring your data can be a breeze with the Smart Transfer app. As a third-party clone data solution, Smart Transfer enables seamless phone to phone transfers, including contacts, photos, videos, and apps. It’s a straightforward way to ensure all your essential data moves to your new device without hassle, supporting a smooth transition to your new smartphone experience.

Should You Buy the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version?

The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version shines in areas like battery life, performance, and price. Its bold design will appeal to those who want something different from the typical flagship look. However, it falls short in camera quality and software refinement, areas where competitors like Google and Samsung excel. If you value unique design and high performance at a competitive price, the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version could be worth considering. For those prioritizing photography and long-term software support, alternatives like the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy S24 may be more suitable.

Final Thoughts

The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version is a compelling option for users looking for flagship specs without the flagship price tag. While it may not dethrone the leaders of the smartphone market, it certainly offers an interesting alternative for tech enthusiasts and performance seekers.