Nubia Z60 Ultra vs Realme GT5 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android Power

Both the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra and the Realme GT5 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, they diverge in key areas like display brightness, charging speed, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme GT5 Pro emerges as the slightly stronger choice. Its significantly brighter display (1660 nits vs 1018 nits) and faster 100W charging, including 50W wireless, provide tangible benefits. While the Nubia Z60 Ultra boasts excellent battery life, the GT5 Pro’s added convenience and visual punch are compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Realme GT5 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, December 192023, December 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, December 29Available. Released 2023, December 14
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame
Dimensions164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight246 g (8.68 oz)218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz)
Display
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSAndroid 14, MyOS 14Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 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, OIS50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, under display - International model 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display - China model32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified)
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4100W wired, 50% in 12 min 50W wireless
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Ion 5400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Photographer EditionBlack, Silver, Orange
ModelsNX721JRMX3888
Price$ 459.00About 430 EUR

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (14:57h active use)
  • PD3.0 and QC4 charging compatibility
  • Potentially better thermal management due to larger chassis

  • Significantly dimmer display (1018 nits)
  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Limited camera details available

Realme GT5 Pro

  • Much brighter display (1660 nits)
  • Faster 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Focus on photo and video capabilities

  • Slightly shorter battery life (14:16h active use)
  • May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Realme GT5 Pro’s display is the clear standout, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1660 nits compared to the nubia Z60 Ultra’s 1018 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in direct sunlight, making the GT5 Pro far more usable outdoors. While both utilize high-quality panels, the GT5 Pro’s superior brightness translates to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO or not) are missing, but both are expected to offer adaptive refresh rates for power efficiency. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and color accuracy is likely similar given the flagship status of both devices.

Camera Comparison

The context data for the nubia Z60 Ultra lacks specific camera details, making a direct comparison challenging. The Realme GT5 Pro is advertised with a focus on photo and video capabilities, suggesting a more refined camera system. Without sensor size or aperture information for the nubia, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on both devices given their flagship positioning. It’s crucial to avoid focusing on the often-gimmicky 2MP macro cameras found on many smartphones; the quality of the primary sensor and image processing algorithms are far more important.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU configuration: 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. This means raw processing power will be virtually identical. Performance differences will likely stem from thermal management and RAM speed (LPDDR5x is expected on both). The nubia Z60 Ultra’s larger chassis *could* offer slightly better thermal headroom, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions, but this requires independent testing. The identical CPU architecture ensures a similar experience for everyday tasks and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The nubia Z60 Ultra boasts impressive battery life, achieving 14:57 hours of active use. The Realme GT5 Pro, while still respectable, falls slightly behind with 14:16 hours. However, the GT5 Pro compensates with significantly faster charging: 100W wired (claiming 50% charge in 12 minutes) and 50W wireless. The nubia Z60 Ultra is limited to 80W wired charging and lacks wireless charging. This means the GT5 Pro can quickly top up its battery when needed, mitigating the slightly shorter runtime. The inclusion of PD3.0 and QC4 on the nubia offers compatibility with a wider range of chargers.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra if you prioritize maximizing battery life and prefer a more understated design. Its 14:57 active use score is impressive for a flagship. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you demand the brightest possible display for outdoor visibility, value faster charging speeds (especially wireless), and appreciate a more feature-rich experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Realme GT5 Pro's 100W charging generate excessive heat during prolonged use?
While 100W charging is fast, the Realme GT5 Pro incorporates intelligent charging algorithms and thermal management systems to minimize heat buildup. The phone is designed to regulate temperature during charging, preventing damage to the battery and ensuring user safety. However, some warmth is expected during rapid charging.
❓ How does the nubia Z60 Ultra's battery life hold up with heavy gaming?
The nubia Z60 Ultra's 14:57 active use score suggests excellent battery endurance. However, heavy gaming will naturally drain the battery faster. The larger chassis *may* provide better thermal dissipation, potentially allowing for sustained performance without significant throttling, thus preserving battery life longer than the GT5 Pro under similar gaming loads.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the nubia Z60 Ultra a significant drawback?
For users who frequently utilize wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the nubia Z60 Ultra is a notable omission. The convenience of simply placing the phone on a charging pad is lost. However, the 80W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 compatibility is still relatively fast and offers broad compatibility.