Smartphone Comparison: Oppo Reno5 5G vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Reno5 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-07 | 2023-12-29 | The ZTE is significantly newer, with more modern features |
| Dimensions | 159.1 × 73.4 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | ZTE is larger and thicker, less pocketable. Oppo is smaller and lighter |
| Weight | 172g | 246g | Oppo is much lighter, more comfortable for long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | ZTE offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE offers a slightly sharper image due to higher resolution |
| PPI | 409 | 400 | Both are sharp, very minimal difference in clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE's display feels smoother and more responsive |
| Brightness | 750 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE is much more readable outdoors in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ZTE offers significantly faster app loading, multitasking and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 325,000 | 2,017,588 | ZTE is dramatically faster, better for demanding tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 750 | ZTE can handle much more graphic-intensive apps and games |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 54MP | Oppo has a higher megapixel count, but this isn't the sole determiner of quality |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.6 | ZTE's wider aperture is slightly better in low light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.49" | ZTE has a larger sensor, generally better in low light |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 12MP | Oppo's selfie camera has higher resolution |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.0 | ZTE's selfie camera is better in low light |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP f/3.3 | ZTE has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP f/1.8 | ZTE offers a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing more in a frame |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Oppo offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 8MP f/2.2 | None | Oppo has a combined Wide angle and Macro lens |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ZTE offers higher video recording capabilities |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser autofocus (LAF), Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | ZTE has optical zoom, OIS, under display camera. Oppo has extra autofocus methods, and ultra stable video |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 6000mAh | ZTE has a much larger battery for longer use |
| Charging | 65W | 80W | ZTE charges slightly faster |
| Features | Reverse charging, 2100mAh dual-cell | None | Oppo offers reverse charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 14 | ZTE has the latest Android version, longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | ZTE supports much faster Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.4 LE | ZTE has the latest Bluetooth standard |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), GPS (L1+L2+L5), QZSS (L1+L2+L5) | ZTE offers more satellite support for better accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB, or 1024GB | ZTE offers more internal storage options |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB or 24GB | ZTE offers more RAM options |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE has better audio processing and capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ZTE offers superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | ZTE has more sensors for more advanced features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Reno5 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter (172g vs 246g) and smaller, more comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography that the ZTE lacks.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF): More advanced autofocus technologies.
- Ultra stable video: Better video recording quality for shaky situations.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful: Much faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing.
- Superior Display: Larger, brighter (1500 nits), and smoother (120Hz refresh rate) display, better for outdoor use and immersive content.
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery for significantly longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Video: Capable of recording 8K video.
- Telephoto and Wide-angle Lenses: Offers versatile camera system, allowing optical zoom and ultrawide photos.
- Latest Android OS: Comes with Android 14, which guarantees longer software support
- Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Newer standards offer superior connectivity speeds.
- Under display camera: Offers a more immersive display experience.
- Optical Stabilization (OIS): Better stabilization for photos and videos
- Laser autofocus (LAF): Faster focus.
Trade-offs:
- Oppo: Less powerful, smaller screen, and less versatile camera system. However, is lighter and more pocketable.
- ZTE: Larger, heavier, and lacks reverse charging, dedicated Macro lens, PDAF and CDAF autofocus, and ultra stable video
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Reno5 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious: Looking for a good value 5G smartphone with a decent display and camera.
- Comfort and Portability: Prefers a lighter, more compact device for everyday use.
- Casual Photographers: Wants a versatile camera, especially the macro lens, for everyday shots and good selfie.
- Those who want reverse charging: Need the option to charge other devices wirelessly.
Use Cases for Oppo Reno5 5G:
- Everyday use like social media, browsing, and messaging.
- Taking casual photos and videos in good lighting conditions.
- Users who value good selfies and close up macro photos.
- Users who occasionally need to reverse charge other devices.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Demanding users who need the fastest possible processor for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Multimedia Lovers: Enjoys consuming content on a large, bright display with smooth refresh rate.
- Photography/Videography Focused: Want a versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, optical zoom and better video capabilities
- Battery Life Focused: Need a long-lasting battery that can get through a full day of heavy use
- Users who want the latest Android version: Need access to the latest features and software updates
Use Cases for ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Watching movies and videos in high quality.
- Taking photos and videos in various scenarios, including low light.
- Long days where you need excellent battery life.
- Users that want latest and greatest features and technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my primary use case? (Casual use vs. intensive gaming/multimedia)
- How important is portability and comfort? (Light and compact vs. larger and heavier)
- How important is camera versatility? (Macro vs Telephoto/wide)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a casual user on a budget: The Oppo Reno5 5G is a decent option if price is the biggest factor.
- For a performance-focused user: The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the better choice with its much faster processor, larger battery and more advanced camera system
- For a user who needs a smaller form factor: The Oppo Reno5 5G wins with its smaller, lighter profile.
- For a user wanting the best possible display and battery: The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's larger display with higher brightness and refresh, and bigger battery makes it a better option
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. While the Oppo Reno5 5G is a solid phone, the ZTE offers a vastly superior experience in terms of performance, display quality, battery life, and camera versatility. The significantly more powerful processor, coupled with the larger and brighter display, makes it ideal for any demanding use case. While it is heavier, the performance trade-off is more than worth it. The larger battery also gives much better longevity. In addition, I highly value having the latest Android OS and its software features. The ZTE is simply a more modern, capable, and future-proof device, even with a larger form factor.
