ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and future-proofing, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance edge. However, the OnePlus 12R provides excellent value with its fast 100W charging and bright display, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | OnePlus 12R |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 19 | 2024, January 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 29 | Available. Released 2024, February 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 246 g (8.68 oz) | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 14, MyOS 14 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.49", 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", PDAF, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, under display - International model 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display - China model | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 100W wired, 100% in 26 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Photographer Edition | Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune |
| Models | NX721J | CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611 |
| Price | $ 459.00 | € 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for top-tier performance
- Slightly longer battery life in testing
- Potential for more advanced camera features
- Lower peak display brightness compared to OnePlus 12R
- Slower 80W charging
OnePlus 12R
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Significantly faster 100W charging (26 minutes to full)
- Excellent value for the performance offered
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Potentially less advanced camera system
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 12R boasts a brighter display, reaching 1181 nits measured, compared to the nubia Z60 Ultra’s 1018 nits. This difference translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the OnePlus 12R’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. Details regarding refresh rate and panel technology (LTPO) are missing, but both are expected to offer smooth scrolling and efficient power consumption. Bezels are assumed to be minimal on both devices, aligning with current flagship trends.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the focus should be on the main sensors. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the nubia brand often prioritizes camera capabilities, suggesting a potentially more advanced imaging system on the Z60 Ultra. The OnePlus 12R likely offers a versatile camera setup, but may lean towards a more balanced approach rather than pushing the boundaries of mobile photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the nubia Z60 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with its octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520), while the OnePlus 12R utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) with its own octa-core setup (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510). The Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core offers a performance uplift over the Gen 2’s X3. The 4nm fabrication process on both chips ensures good thermal efficiency, but the newer architecture of the Gen 3 should result in sustained performance for longer periods. RAM specifications are not provided, but both are expected to utilize LPDDR5x for fast memory access.
Battery Life
Both phones deliver impressive battery life, with the nubia Z60 Ultra achieving 14:57h of active use and the OnePlus 12R managing 14:32h. The difference is minimal, suggesting similar real-world endurance. However, the OnePlus 12R boasts significantly faster charging at 100W, reaching 100% in just 26 minutes, while the nubia Z60 Ultra is limited to 80W. This faster charging speed is a major convenience factor for OnePlus 12R users, offsetting any slight battery life advantage the nubia Z60 Ultra may have.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra if you demand the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and appreciate having the latest silicon. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize a balanced experience with fast charging, a vibrant display, and excellent value for money, without sacrificing significant performance.