Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-30 | 2023-12-29 | The ZTE is significantly newer (approx 2 years), benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The ZTE is slightly larger and wider; OnePlus 9 Pro is more comfortable for small hands, ZTE offers slightly more screen. |
| Weight | 197g | 246g | OnePlus 9 Pro is lighter and more comfortable for extended use. ZTE is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Both are large screens; negligible difference in size for most users. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1116x2480 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides sharper text and images. ZTE will appear slightly less detailed. |
| PPI | 525 | 400 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher pixel density will result in a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | ZTE has a superior AMOLED display, deeper blacks, better contrast and color. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE offers better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | ZTE has a newer, much more powerful chipset; expect faster performance in all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 2,017,588 | ZTE offers significantly faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | ZTE delivers superior graphics performance, better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | ZTE provides significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 80W | ZTE will charge faster. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | OnePlus offers more versatile charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | ZTE has a higher resolution and wider aperture; OnePlus slightly larger sensor. ZTE should have an advantage in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4" | ZTE has a wider aperture and larger sensor. It's likely to perform better in low light and bokeh effect. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2" | ZTE's telephoto has a vastly higher resolution and larger sensor, better zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | ZTE has wider aperture and slightly larger sensor, better low-light wide photos. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | Not present | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated monochrome sensor for artistic B&W shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high quality video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark | 122 Overall | Not available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a good score but not available for the ZTE. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, various focus modes | Triple camera, under display camera, various focus modes | OnePlus offers more focus options, while ZTE has an under-display selfie camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | ZTE comes with a newer version of Android OS, and is likely to have more years of support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ZTE has the latest generation of WiFi, faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | ZTE has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | ZTE supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | ZTE offers significantly more storage. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB | ZTE offers more RAM, better performance for intensive tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X | OnePlus has Dolby Atmos, while the ZTE has DTS/DTS-X. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have identical protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | ZTE has an RGB sensor for advanced color based functionalities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More pocketable and comfortable to hold, especially for extended use.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for crisper visuals.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenience and flexibility in charging.
- Reverse wireless charging: Charge other devices wirelessly.
- Dolby Atmos: Offers potentially better audio quality for those who value it.
- Black & White Lens: For artistic black and white photography.
- More focus options: Extra options for autofocusing including PDAF and CDAF.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Newer and Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers vastly superior performance in all aspects, including gaming and multitasking.
- Much Larger Battery: Provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: The 80W charging means less time plugged in.
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED display with deeper blacks and better contrast.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility under direct sunlight.
- Significantly Larger Storage: Offers up to 1TB of storage which is perfect for media and other files.
- More RAM Options: Up to 24GB RAM for smooth, heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Significantly Better Telephoto Camera: much higher resolution telephoto lens provides a huge advantage at all focal lengths
- Latest WiFi Standard: Access to faster, more reliable wireless networks.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Newer and more efficient.
- More Satellite Positioning: Support for more positioning systems for location accuracy.
- Under display camera: Better screen to body ratio for better display.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Lighter and sharper display, but significantly older technology and lacks the performance and battery life of the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: Heavier, and slightly less sharp display, but has significantly superior performance, battery, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a lighter device: Individuals who value pocketability and ease of handling.
- Users with basic needs: Not running heavy apps and demanding games.
- Those who want a balance of features in a compact form: Wireless charging and a good display.
- Users who enjoy monochrome photography: For artistic photography.
- Those that value enhanced audio: For a more immersive experience.
Use Cases:
- Casual browsing and social media use.
- Everyday photography and videography.
- Basic gaming.
- Those that use wireless charging frequently.
- Enjoying multimedia content.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is ideal for:
- Power users and gamers: Individuals who need the best possible performance.
- Heavy multitaskers: Users who run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need all-day battery life without frequent charging.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with excellent zoom and low-light performance.
- Users who consume and store a lot of content: Need ample storage for videos, photos and apps.
Use Cases:
- Gaming (high-end titles).
- Video editing and content creation.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity.
- High-resolution photography and videography.
- Long trips without needing to worry about charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: portability or performance? Do you value a lighter device or a more powerful one with a longer battery life?
- How often do you need high-end gaming performance, or intense multitasking? If you're a casual user, the OnePlus 9 Pro will do the job. But if you want high-end gaming or a lot of productivity, then the ZTE is the better choice.
- Is battery life and storage a concern? If you need all-day battery life and plenty of space, the ZTE is a clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User: If you are a casual user who values a compact, lightweight phone with a great screen for media consumption, and you don't do a lot of heavy gaming, the OnePlus 9 Pro is still a capable choice.
Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer: If you are a heavy gamer, or a user who needs top performance for productivity, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the better choice due to its powerful chipset, higher RAM, and a bigger battery.
Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If photography is important to you, particularly zoom photography and low light situations, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's superior camera system, including the impressive 64MP telephoto lens, makes it a much better choice.
What I Would Choose and Why
Considering the provided specifications and my needs as a power user who also enjoys mobile photography, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
Here’s why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro. The difference in AnTuTu scores highlights this leap, which will translate to a much smoother and responsive user experience, particularly for demanding tasks like video editing, and gaming, which I tend to use.
- Battery: The significantly larger 6000mAh battery is a game-changer for me. I don't like having to worry about battery life, and the ZTE provides this security without a doubt.
- Camera System: While the OnePlus has a good setup, ZTE's camera system, especially its 64MP telephoto lens and wider aperture on the primary and wide angle lenses, offer a clear advantage, particularly in low light and at zoom range, which are important to me.
- Storage: Having the option for up to 1TB of internal storage is essential for my needs, as I tend to store large amounts of data on my devices.
- Future Proofing: The ZTE comes with newer tech all round, it has WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Android 14.
Although the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a lighter, more compact form factor and a sharper display, the performance, battery life, and camera advantages of the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra outweigh those benefits for my use case. The trade-off in size and weight is acceptable for the overall gain in performance and battery.
