Nubia Z60 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Battery Life

Both the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery technology and charging speeds, creating a clear distinction for users prioritizing endurance versus rapid replenishment. This comparison will dissect these differences and highlight where each phone excels.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Xiaomi 14 Pro emerges as the more compelling choice. Its significantly faster 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities, combined with a comparable Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance, outweigh the Nubia Z60 Ultra’s slightly longer active use battery score.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Xiaomi 14 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, December 192023, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, December 29Available. Released 2023, November 01
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, aluminum frame or titanium frame, glass back
Dimensions164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)161.4 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight246 g (8.68 oz)223 g or 230 g (7.87 oz)
Display
Protection-Shatterproof glass
Resolution1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 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, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Ring-LED, dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, 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/1.4-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
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/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 4880 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Photographer EditionBlack, Silver, Titanium, Green
ModelsNX721J23116PN5BC
Price$ 459.00About 650 EUR

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra

  • Excellent battery life (14:57h active use)
  • Potentially better thermal management due to larger size
  • Competitive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance

  • Slower charging speeds (80W wired)
  • Lacks wireless charging capabilities
  • Camera specs currently unknown

Xiaomi 14 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging (18 minutes to 100%)
  • 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging
  • Strong Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance

  • Potentially shorter battery life compared to nubia Z60 Ultra
  • Thermal throttling could be a concern with fast charging
  • Display specs not fully detailed

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ensuring similar graphical capabilities. However, the nubia Z60 Ultra boasts a measured peak brightness of 1018 nits. While excellent, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is expected to exceed this, based on Xiaomi’s history of display technology. The absence of detailed display specs for the Xiaomi 14 Pro necessitates relying on brand reputation; Xiaomi typically employs LTPO panels for adaptive refresh rates, potentially offering better power efficiency than a standard OLED. Bezels and color accuracy are currently unknown for both, but will be critical factors in the overall user experience.

Camera Comparison

Without camera specifications, a direct comparison is impossible. However, Xiaomi’s flagship phones consistently prioritize camera innovation, often featuring large sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The nubia Z60 Ultra’s camera system remains an unknown quantity, but ZTE has been improving its camera offerings in recent years. The absence of details regarding sensor size, OIS, and lens apertures prevents a meaningful assessment of image quality.

Performance

The core performance is virtually identical, as both phones are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset and the same CPU configuration: Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520). The performance difference will likely come down to thermal management and sustained performance. The nubia Z60 Ultra’s larger chassis *could* offer better heat dissipation, but this requires independent testing. RAM speed (LPDDR5x) is also a key factor, but not specified in the provided data.

Battery Life

The nubia Z60 Ultra achieves an active use battery score of 14:57h, a strong result indicating excellent endurance. However, the Xiaomi 14 Pro compensates with significantly faster charging. Its 120W wired charging promises a full charge in just 18 minutes, a substantial advantage over the nubia Z60 Ultra’s 80W charging. Furthermore, the Xiaomi 14 Pro adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the nubia Z60 Ultra. This charging versatility caters to users who prefer wireless convenience or need to top up other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra if you prioritize maximizing screen-on time and value a phone that can comfortably last a full day with heavy usage. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds, both wired and wireless, and appreciate the convenience of a quick power boost, even if it means slightly more frequent charging cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the Xiaomi 14 Pro's charging compared to the Nubia Z60 Ultra in a real-world scenario?
The Xiaomi 14 Pro's 120W charging can fully charge the phone in approximately 18 minutes, while the Nubia Z60 Ultra's 80W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 30 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 14 Pro's faster charging generate more heat, potentially impacting battery health?
Faster charging inherently generates more heat. However, Xiaomi employs advanced charging algorithms and thermal management systems to mitigate this. While some heat is expected, the 14 Pro is designed to minimize any long-term impact on battery health. The nubia Z60 Ultra's slower charging will generate less heat, but the convenience of the Xiaomi's speed is a trade-off.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Nubia Z60 Ultra a significant drawback?
For users who regularly utilize wireless charging pads or prefer the convenience of simply placing their phone on a charger, the absence of wireless charging on the Nubia Z60 Ultra is a notable omission. The Xiaomi 14 Pro's 50W wireless charging provides a compelling alternative.