OnePlus Ace 3 vs ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Generations

The OnePlus Ace 3 and ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading represent distinct approaches to flagship performance. The Ace 3 leverages the refined Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading jumps to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects the real-world implications of this generational leap, focusing on performance, battery endurance, and charging speeds to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading emerges as the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a noticeable performance uplift, and the impressive 14:04 hour active use battery life significantly outpaces what the Ace 3 can achieve, despite the latter’s faster 100W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Ace 3 ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, January 042024, July 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, January 15Available. Released 2024, August 12
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)246 g (8.68 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2-
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 14, ColorOS 14Android 14, MyOS 14 (International), MyOS 14.5 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/1.8, 18mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm12 MP, under display
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS (G1+G5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 27 min80W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type5500 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Rose GoldBlack, Silver
ModelsPJE110-
PriceAbout 340 EURAbout 730 EUR

OnePlus Ace 3

  • Extremely fast 100W charging
  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Shorter battery life compared to the nubia Z60 Ultra
  • Older generation chipset

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
  • Exceptional 14:04 hour active use battery life
  • Potentially superior camera system

  • Slower 80W charging compared to the Ace 3
  • Likely higher price tag

Display Comparison

Context data lacks display specifics, but given the flagship positioning, both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels. The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading, historically, prioritizes flat displays, potentially appealing to users who dislike curved edges. The Ace 3, based on previous models, may offer a slightly more color-accurate display tuned for media consumption. Without detailed specs, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the nubia's flat panel is a differentiating factor.

Camera Comparison

Context data is silent on camera specs. However, ZTE’s nubia line often emphasizes camera capabilities. We can reasonably expect the Z60 Ultra Leading to feature a more advanced camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. OnePlus typically focuses on a balanced camera experience. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the nubia is likely to appeal to photography enthusiasts.

Performance

The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant architectural upgrade over the OnePlus Ace 3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The Gen 3 features a new Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.4 GHz, compared to the Gen 2’s 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3. This, coupled with the improved Cortex-A720 performance cores, translates to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and higher sustained frame rates in demanding games. While both chips are built on a 4nm process, the Gen 3’s architectural enhancements offer a clear performance advantage. The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading will benefit users who frequently engage in resource-intensive tasks like video editing or high-end mobile gaming.

Battery Life

The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading boasts a substantial advantage in battery life, achieving 14:04 hours of active use. This suggests a larger battery capacity and/or more efficient power management. While the OnePlus Ace 3 offers incredibly fast 100W wired charging (100% in 27 minutes), the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading’s 80W charging, while slower, is still respectable and complemented by significantly longer runtimes. Users who prioritize all-day battery life will strongly favor the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Ace 3 if you prioritize a proven, thermally efficient chipset and extremely fast 100W charging, and are looking for a slightly more affordable flagship experience. Buy the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading if you demand the absolute latest in processing power, extended battery life for demanding users, and are willing to trade a bit of charging speed for overall endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading get noticeably hotter during extended gaming sessions compared to the Ace 3's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more powerful, it can generate more heat. However, ZTE's nubia line often incorporates advanced cooling solutions. The improved efficiency of the Gen 3's architecture, combined with potential cooling enhancements, should mitigate excessive heat buildup, though sustained performance may still be slightly throttled under extreme load.
❓ Does the 80W charging on the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading feel significantly slower in daily use compared to the OnePlus Ace 3's 100W charging?
While 100W is faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times may not be drastic. 80W is still a very fast charging speed, and the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading’s larger battery capacity and longer battery life mean you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently, offsetting the slightly slower charging speed.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 3 significant enough to justify upgrading if I already own a phone with the 8 Gen 2?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a noticeable performance improvement, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks and AI processing. However, if your current 8 Gen 2 phone meets your needs, the upgrade may not be essential. The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading is more compelling if you are a heavy gamer or frequently use demanding applications.