Smartphone Comparison: Nokia X20 vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Nokia X20 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-12 | 2023-12-29 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is a much newer device, likely featuring more up-to-date technology. |
| Dimensions | 168.9 × 79.7 × 9.1 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The Nokia X20 is slightly taller, wider and thicker. The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is more compact, might feel better in hand for some. |
| Weight | 220g | 246g | The Nokia X20 is significantly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers a slightly larger display, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a moderately higher resolution resulting in a sharper image. |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Both phones have similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness levels. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark modes, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight conditions, a critical factor for outdoor users. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 4nm is also more energy efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 323,425 | 2,017,588 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers dramatically higher performance, making it better suited for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra’s GPU offers far superior graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and other GPU-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4470mAh | 6000mAh | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a significantly larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 80W fast charging | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.8µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800, 1.0µm | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a larger sensor and pixel size, typically resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range, despite lower megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4" Omnivision OV12D | The Nokia X20 has higher megapixel count for selfie, but ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra might have better image quality due to a more modern sensor. Missing pixel sizes. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, which Nokia X20 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50E, 1.00µm | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a much higher resolution and larger sensor wide-angle lens, resulting in significantly better wide-angle image quality. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | None | Nokia X20 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; the ZTE handles it with software processing |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Nokia X20 includes a macro lens for close-up photography; the ZTE doesn't have a dedicated macro lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, slow-mo 120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, HDR, EIS, slow-mo 240fps | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly higher video recording capabilities with up to 8K, advanced stabilization and more slow motion options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra comes with a more modern operating system out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra supports faster and more stable WiFi, including the latest standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.4 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support, potentially resulting in higher-quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, various bands | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers much more comprehensive and precise location tracking with multiple band support for various systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage options for media and applications. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB or 24 GB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers substantially more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and handling of memory-intensive tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, which may be a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra provides a richer audio experience with stereo speakers, DTS enhancements and a dedicated microphone array. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Nokia X20's side mounted finger print sensor may offer convenience in ergonomics compared to in-display sensors. The ZTE Z60 does not mention what kind of sensor is used. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra features better screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity, RGB | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers additional sensors for potentially better gaming and other user experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The Nokia X20 is noticeably lighter at 220g compared to the ZTE's 246g, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Potentially Better Ergonomics for Some: Side mounted fingerprint sensor might be a more ergonomic solution.
- Macro Camera: The Nokia X20 has a dedicated macro camera lens for taking close-up shots.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The Nokia X20 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photography.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness offer a superior visual experience with deeper blacks, better contrast, smoother animations and better visibility in bright conditions.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and enhanced gaming.
- Significantly Better Cameras: Superior main sensor with larger pixels, dedicated telephoto and significantly improved ultrawide camera, leads to more versatile and higher quality photography. Features include 8K video recording.
- Much Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Larger 6000mAh battery paired with 80W fast charging will dramatically improve battery life and reduce charging downtime.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with larger storage and RAM options, making it better for storing more data and performing demanding tasks.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and better stability.
- Advanced Audio: Stereo speakers and DTS/DTS X offer better audio quality and immersion.
- Modern OS: Comes with a more recent version of Android out of the box.
Trade-offs:
- The Nokia X20 is lighter, but the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is more powerful and feature-rich.
- The Nokia X20 offers a slightly higher megapixel selfie camera and additional lenses, but the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers superior camera quality, especially for main, wide angle and telephoto cameras, and superior video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Nokia X20 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for an affordable phone with basic functionality.
- Users Prioritizing Lightness: Individuals who value a lightweight device for comfortable long-term use.
- Users who want a Macro and depth sensor: People who use these for photo capture.
Use Cases for Nokia X20:
- Daily use for browsing, social media, and calls.
- Basic photography and video recording.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users demanding top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value high-quality camera capabilities, including optical zoom and low-light performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who want a high-quality display with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rate for video and gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need extended battery life and fast charging.
- Users wanting the latest in wireless technologies: Users who need the fastest Wi-Fi connections.
Use Cases for ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- High-performance mobile gaming.
- Professional-grade photography and video recording.
- Immersive media consumption.
- Multitasking and demanding productivity tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Given the vastly superior specs and features, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra provides a better price-to-value ratio if your budget allows. The Nokia X20 is an older device and is likely to be priced lower, which can be the deciding factor for budget-conscious users who prioritize cost over high-end features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Nokia X20 is likely cheaper, but the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly better specs if you can afford it.
- How important is performance for you? If you prioritize gaming, multitasking, and responsiveness, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear winner.
- What are your camera needs? If you value photography and video, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers much better quality and features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks and your budget is very tight, the Nokia X20 could be an acceptable choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance and Camera User): If you want a high-performance phone with an excellent camera and a smooth display, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the superior option.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you want a balance between price and performance, it would be advisable to look at other mid-range devices, as the Nokia X20 is significantly outdated, and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is a high-end flagship.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra without hesitation.
Reasoning:
The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers an overwhelmingly superior experience across almost every category. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset ensures the phone will be snappy and capable of handling any task I throw at it for years to come.
- Display: The AMOLED 120Hz display is a huge upgrade, offering a much better viewing experience for media consumption, gaming and regular use.
- Camera: The camera system is far more versatile and offers significantly better image quality, making it a great companion for anyone who values photography or video.
- Battery: The much larger battery and faster charging would eliminate any anxiety about running out of power during the day.
- Future-Proofing: With its modern components and software, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is much more future-proof than the Nokia X20, which is already over two years old.
While the Nokia X20 is lighter, that benefit doesn't outweigh the significant performance and feature advantages that the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers. For me, the dramatic differences in display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, battery life and charging speed are too significant to ignore. The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra delivers a flagship experience, whereas the Nokia X20 feels outdated in comparison.
