Smartphone Comparison: Asus Zenfone 8 vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-13 | 2023-12-29 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is a much newer device with potentially more modern features and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphone designs, not foldable. |
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is significantly larger and might be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 169g | 246g | The Asus Zenfone 8 is much lighter, making it more portable and comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.8" | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra provides a much larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1116 x 2480 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers slightly sharper text and images due to the higher resolution, though the difference isn't huge. |
| PPI | 446 | 400 | The Asus Zenfone 8 has a slightly sharper display, making text and images look a bit more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, which are characteristic of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; great for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has considerably better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to its higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's newer chip provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 2,017,588 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra provides much faster performance, making it significantly better for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's newer GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming, much more smoothly. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra will likely offer significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's larger sensor and wider aperture should perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", unknown pixel size | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially resulting in brighter and sharper selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2", 0.7µm | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly more zoom capabilities thanks to its telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | Asus Zenfone 8 features a dedicated macro lens, enabling detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@120fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both capture high-resolution video, though the Asus Zenfone 8 offers higher frame rate recording for slow-motion. |
| DxOMark Score | 116 | Not Available | Asus Zenfone 8's camera performance is rated well by DxOMark, but the lack of a score for the ZTE makes direct comparison difficult. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 14 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has the advantage of a newer Android version and potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra provides faster WiFi speeds and better network performance with Wi-Fi 7. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra features a more recent Bluetooth version with potential for improved range and efficiency. |
| GPS | More basic satellite systems | More advanced satellite systems | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra should offer better GPS accuracy for navigation and location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards, offering flexibility in managing multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly more storage options for media, apps and files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has higher RAM, enabling faster multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation | DTS / DTS X | The Asus Zenfone 8 has higher quality audio output, but both phones offer stereo speakers for an immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both provide standard fingerprint sensor biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Asus Zenfone 8 has a more durable glass screen. |
| Sensors | Hall | RGB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra and Asus Zenfone 8 both offer a similar suite of sensors, with minor differences. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size and Weight: Significantly lighter (169g vs. 246g) and smaller dimensions, ideal for comfortable one-handed use and portability.
- Slightly Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (446 PPI vs. 400 PPI) for a sharper, more detailed viewing experience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering more robust scratch and shatter resistance.
- Hi-Res Audio: Higher quality audio, noise cancelling for clearer calls.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Dedicated lens for detailed close up shots.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Display: Larger 6.8" screen, excellent for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor for smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger 6000mAh battery, providing considerably more usage time per charge.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Low-Light Camera Performance: Wider aperture and larger sensor in main camera result in better low-light shots.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto lens for zoom and a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, providing a more modern experience and better software support.
- More RAM: Up to 24GB of RAM for extreme multitasking.
- Faster WiFi: Wi-Fi 7, offering the newest connection for high speeds and low latency
- Better GPS: Newer, more comprehensive GPS system for better location tracking.
- Greater Storage Options: Available with up to 1TB of storage.
Trade-offs:
- The Asus Zenfone 8's compact size comes at the cost of a smaller screen and less battery life.
- The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's larger size makes it less pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- While the Asus Zenfone 8 has a high DxOMark rating, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra’s camera is not rated.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Asus Zenfone 8 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use.
- Those who prefer a smaller, more compact device that is easy to carry.
- Users who value high-quality audio playback and audio recording.
- Individuals looking for a premium experience but don't need the absolute best performance.
- Users who take a lot of macro shots
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is ideal for:
- Users who need maximum performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Those who want a large, immersive display for media consumption.
- Users who prioritize long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who want a versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle capabilities.
- Users who need the latest features and software, including Android 14 and Wi-Fi 7.
- Users that want to take zoomed shots or wide angle photos
- Users that need a lot of storage space
Specific Use Cases:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Perfect for commuters, those who need a pocket-friendly device, and casual users who enjoy streaming and social media.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: Perfect for gamers, content creators, those who need a powerful device for productivity on the go and for users that need a lot of storage space for photos, videos or files.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Asus Zenfone 8, being an older model, likely offers a more affordable option, making it a great value for users looking for a compact but premium experience.
- The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra, despite being more expensive, offers significantly more value for those who need top-tier performance, a great camera, and long battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
What is your priority: portability or performance?
- If portability and one-handed use are crucial, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a better choice.
- If performance, battery life, and a large screen are more important, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is a better pick.
How important are camera versatility and low-light performance to you?
- If you only want basic picture taking or love close up shots, the Asus Zenfone 8 will be good.
- If zoom capabilities, wide-angle shots and great low-light photos are necessary, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the better option.
What is your budget?
- If your budget is tight, the older Asus Zenfone 8 could be more affordable, while providing great value.
- If you are willing to pay for top of the line specs, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra would provide more value for your money.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A student needs a phone for everyday use, including social media, light gaming, and note-taking. Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8. It's more portable and affordable, and has a great audio experience.
- Scenario 2: A mobile gamer needs a phone that can handle demanding games with smooth performance and long battery life. Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. It has a powerful processor, large battery, and a large immersive screen.
- Scenario 3: A professional photographer needs a phone with a versatile camera system, including zoom capabilities and wide-angle shots. Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. The multiple lenses are great for multiple situations and the low light performance will help when the light is not ideal.
- Scenario 4: A user needs a compact phone that will take great photos of food or other things close by. Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 8. It will provide great macro shots, with a high quality main camera.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. While the Asus Zenfone 8 is a very capable phone, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers a much more compelling package for my needs.
The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's superior performance, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, is a huge draw for me as I use my phone for a lot of different tasks including gaming and editing videos. It's larger screen and faster charging also make it an ideal phone for media consumption, allowing me to get absorbed into my videos and movies without having to be close to a charger. Additionally, its versatile camera system, specifically the telephoto lens and wide angle lens are something I would take great use of as I like to take different kinds of photos. Although the larger size is a bit of a compromise, the benefits it offers outweighs that small inconvenience.
