Nubia Z60 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which Android Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone engineering, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Nubia focuses on delivering a raw, uncompromised experience, while Samsung integrates a broader ecosystem of features. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a brighter, more versatile camera system and established software support, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice. However, the nubia Z60 Ultra offers exceptional battery life and a competitive price point, making it a compelling option for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, December 192024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, December 29Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight246 g (8.68 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 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)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 14, MyOS 14Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
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, OIS-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single12 MP, under display - International model 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.22µm, under display - China model12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC445W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Photographer EditionTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsNX721JSM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
Price$ 459.00$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (14:57h active use)
  • Faster wired charging (80W)
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Lower peak display brightness (1018 nits)
  • Limited camera information available
  • Less established software support

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Brighter display (1447 nits)
  • Versatile and feature-rich camera system
  • Established software ecosystem and long-term support

  • Slightly shorter battery life (13:49h active use)
  • Slower wired charging (45W)
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1447 nits compared to the nubia Z60 Ultra’s 1018 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in direct sunlight, where the S24 Ultra maintains superior visibility. While both utilize the efficient 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the S24 Ultra’s brighter panel will draw slightly more power. The nubia Z60 Ultra’s display specifications don’t mention LTPO, suggesting a potentially less adaptive refresh rate compared to the S24 Ultra, which likely features LTPO for improved efficiency. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, but color accuracy testing would be needed to determine a clear winner in that regard.

Camera Comparison

The context data for the nubia Z60 Ultra lacks specific camera details, making a direct comparison challenging. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is renowned for its versatile camera system, likely featuring a larger main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. The S24 Ultra’s camera excels in both photo and video capture, offering features like 8K video recording and enhanced low-light performance. Without detailed specifications for the nubia Z60 Ultra’s camera, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities, but it’s reasonable to assume the S24 Ultra holds an advantage in overall image quality and feature set. We can safely assume the S24 Ultra will have a more refined computational photography pipeline.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB/AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU peaks at 3.39GHz, slightly higher than the Z60 Ultra’s 3.3 GHz. While this difference is unlikely to be perceptible in most everyday tasks, it could translate to marginally faster performance in sustained, CPU-intensive workloads. Both utilize an octa-core configuration with the same Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 cores. Thermal management will be crucial; the S24 Ultra’s larger chassis may provide better heat dissipation, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM specifications are not provided, but both are expected to utilize LPDDR5x for fast memory access.

Battery Life

The nubia Z60 Ultra demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 14:57h compared to the S24 Ultra’s 13:49h. This nearly one-hour difference suggests the Z60 Ultra’s optimization or larger battery capacity (not specified) contributes to superior endurance. However, the S24 Ultra compensates with faster charging, reaching 65% charge in 30 minutes with its 45W wired charging, while the Z60 Ultra’s 80W charging is faster overall but lacks the detailed timing information. The S24 Ultra also offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent from the provided Z60 Ultra specifications.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra if you need maximum battery endurance, prioritize fast charging speeds, and appreciate a more streamlined Android experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prefer a brighter display, a more polished camera system with extensive features, and the long-term software support and ecosystem integration that Samsung provides.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the nubia Z60 Ultra support high refresh rate gaming, and will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 throttle during extended sessions?
While the nubia Z60 Ultra utilizes the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the absence of LTPO in the display specifications suggests a potentially less dynamic refresh rate. Sustained gaming performance will depend heavily on the device’s thermal management system. The larger chassis of the S24 Ultra may offer better heat dissipation, but the Z60 Ultra’s 80W charging could allow for quicker cool-down periods between gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 45W charging on the S24 Ultra compare to the 80W charging on the Z60 Ultra in real-world usage?
The nubia Z60 Ultra’s 80W charging is faster in terms of raw wattage, but the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging is optimized to reach 65% in 30 minutes. This suggests a more efficient charging curve for the S24 Ultra, potentially minimizing heat generation and battery degradation. Without a full 0-100% charging time for the Z60 Ultra, it’s difficult to definitively say which is faster overall, but the S24 Ultra’s charging is well-documented and reliable.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the nubia Z60 Ultra a significant drawback?
For users heavily invested in wireless charging accessories or who frequently utilize reverse wireless charging, the absence of these features on the nubia Z60 Ultra is a notable omission. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers both 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, providing added convenience and versatility.