Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. We'll go beyond just the spec sheets and explore what these differences mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table that not only lists the specs but also explains their real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm | A52s 5G is more compact and easier to handle, while the Z60 Ultra has a larger footprint. |
| Weight | 189g | 246g | A52s 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long periods; Z60 Ultra is more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Z60 Ultra offers more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Z60 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, but the difference is minor in real use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 400 | Both are very sharp; differences are negligible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits | Z60 Ultra's display is significantly brighter, making it much better in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Z60 Ultra has vastly superior processing power for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 570,752 | 2,017,588 | Z60 Ultra is drastically faster, leading to smoother and snappier performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 750 | Z60 Ultra’s GPU provides significantly better graphics performance, for games and video. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.8, 1/1.7") | 54MP (f/1.6, 1/1.49") | Z60 Ultra has a larger sensor with a wider aperture, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.0) | 12MP (f/2.0, 1/2.4") | A52s 5G has higher resolution, but sensor size matters for image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP (f/3.3, 1/2") | Z60 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, while A52s 5G relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.55") | Z60 Ultra has a much higher resolution and wider aperture for wider and detailed shots. |
| Depth Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | A52s 5G has a dedicated depth sensor; Z60 Ultra uses other methods. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | A52s 5G has a dedicated macro lens; Z60 Ultra does not |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Z60 Ultra supports higher quality video recording capabilities. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 6000 mAh | Z60 Ultra has a larger battery, which should translate to significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | Z60 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Z60 Ultra has the latest Android version; A52s 5G will likely have a shorter software lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Z60 Ultra supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and reduced latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | Z60 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version for more stable connections and better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, 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) | Z60 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage and RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Z60 Ultra offers significantly more storage, especially for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB | Z60 Ultra has much more RAM, allowing smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra has a more enhanced audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar security using finger print scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones offer similar protection against minor scratches and breaks |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have similar sensors, but ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra additionally features a Gravity and RGB sensors; Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G additionally features a Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
- Strengths: More compact and lightweight, making it easier to handle and carry. It offers good value for the mid-range segment, with a smooth display and competent camera.
- Competitive Advantages: More affordable, better depth camera and a Macro camera and has a good selfie camera.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful than the Z60 Ultra in terms of performance, less bright display for outdoor usage and has much slower charging speed.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Strengths: Flagship-level performance, a brighter screen ideal for outdoor use, far superior camera quality, particularly in low-light and zoom capabilities, and a larger battery with fast charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Top-tier chipset, larger and brighter display, versatile camera system with optical zoom, much larger battery and much faster charging.
- Trade-offs: Heavier and bulkier design, likely to be more expensive, and it does not have a dedicated depth or macro camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: Best for users who prioritize affordability, a lightweight build, and a good all-around experience without the need for top-tier performance. Ideal for casual users, students, or those who prioritize battery over performance. It's a great daily driver for browsing, social media, and media consumption but it lacks the advanced functionality of the ZTE nubia.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: Best for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts. It’s ideal for those who want top-tier performance, excellent camera capabilities, and a screen that works well in bright sunlight. If you're a mobile gamer, a content creator, or someone who needs a high-performance phone, this is the one for you.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
What's your primary use case?
- If it's mostly for social media, browsing, and casual use, the Galaxy A52s 5G is more than capable.
- If it's for gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking, the Z60 Ultra is the obvious choice.
How important is camera performance?
- If you take only casual photos, the A52s 5G's camera is good enough.
- If you need low-light performance, zoom capabilities, or want to record high-resolution video the Z60 Ultra is far superior.
What is your budget?
- If you're on a tight budget, the A52s 5G offers excellent value.
- If you're willing to spend more for cutting-edge features and top performance, the Z60 Ultra delivers.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Casual User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G for its balance of features and affordability.
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra for its exceptional processing power and great GPU.
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra for its superior camera system, especially in low light conditions, and for video capabilities.
- On-the-Go Professional: Choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra for its long-lasting battery and fast charging, combined with its premium performance.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I value the best possible performance, display and camera. The A52s 5G is a decent mid-ranger that covers the basics well, but I need to have the power for my research and day-to-day testing. The Z60 Ultra offers flagship-level performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a significantly better camera setup, a much brighter display, and far better battery performance. The under display camera is also quite innovative and I would love to test how that works on a daily basis. I'm also a huge fan of mobile photography and the Z60 Ultra's telephoto lens, wide-angle lens and 8K video capabilities fit my needs quite well.
While I respect the practicality of the A52s 5G, I would be sacrificing key features I value, such as excellent camera capabilities, a superior and brighter screen and the highest performance available in a smartphone. The Z60 Ultra is for those who demand the very best, and I'm one of them!
