1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2023-12-29 | The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is significantly newer, suggesting more advanced technology and software. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | Similar size, but the ZTE is slightly thicker, which might affect handling and pocketability, it's also slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 203g | 246g | The Samsung A72 is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The ZTE might feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Practically identical screen sizes, offering similar viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | The ZTE offers slightly sharper images and text due to higher pixel count, but it might be difficult to discern. |
| PPI | 394 | 400 | Similar pixel density, providing similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, common for AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The ZTE provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE screen is significantly brighter, making it far more visible outdoors under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ZTE's chipset is vastly more powerful, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 2,017,588 | The ZTE has over 600% higher benchmark scores, signifying dramatically better performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | The ZTE's GPU provides a substantially enhanced gaming experience and better graphics processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The ZTE's larger battery should provide longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day even with heavy use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 80W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | The ZTE charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. Li-Polymer generally has better lifespan and safety characteristics. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP f/1.8, 0.8µm | 54MP f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm (Sony IMX800) | ZTE main sensor is better with larger sensor size, pixel size and wider aperture, resulting in better low-light performance. Samsung has 10 MP more resolution that might give slightly sharper images in ideal conditions. |
| Telephoto (A72) | 8MP f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm (Omnivision OV08A10) | None | The Samsung has a telephoto lens for optical zoom; The ZTE does not have a dedicated telephoto lens, and relies on digital zoom. |
| Telephoto (Z60) | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2", 0.7µm (Omnivision OV64B) | ZTE has a dedicated telephoto lens, with excellent resolution; the Samsung doesn't have it. |
| Selfie | 32MP f/2.2, 0.8µm | 12MP f/2.0, 1/2.4" (Omnivision OV12D) | The Samsung has a higher-resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more detail; The ZTE has wider aperture which allows better low light capture. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm (Omnivision OV50E) | The ZTE features a vastly superior wide-angle lens with higher resolution and wider aperture that produces far better quality wide-angle pictures. |
| Macro (A72) | 5MP f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | The Samsung offers a macro camera for close-up shots; the ZTE doesn't have a macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, 4k@120fps with HDR, EIS | The ZTE is capable of recording much higher resolution and frame rate videos, offering higher quality for professional video. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 (Mobile), 100 (Photo), 78 (Video) | Not available | Only Samsung has been tested by DXOMark. It is unknown how the ZTE cameras would perform on the same test. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | The ZTE runs on a newer Android version, providing the latest features, security updates, and performance optimizations. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | The ZTE supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds, better performance in crowded networks, and access to the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | The ZTE offers a newer Bluetooth version with improved efficiency and potentially better range. |
| 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) | The ZTE supports more satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate location tracking, specifically in areas with poor visibility of traditional GPS satellites. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB or 1024GB | The ZTE offers significantly more storage options, which are useful for storing large amounts of photos, videos, and games. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB or 16GB or 24GB | The ZTE offers more RAM, improving multitasking and overall performance, especially for demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; users should consider this when selecting storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The ZTE has better surround sound and voice capturing with additional microphones, making it a better fit for media consumption and calling. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both use a standard fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The ZTE has better screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB | Both share basic sensors, while additional ones offer more advanced features and better gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter: The lighter weight makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a macro lens for close-up photography.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides better optical zoom capabilities.
- DXOMark Score: Has been tested by DXOMark (Mobile - 92, Photo - 100, Video - 78) providing a reference point for its camera performance.
- Lower price: Typically, older phones are more affordable compared to newer ones
Practical Implications:
- The A72 is better for users who prioritize portability and macro photography. Its known camera performance is also a factor to consider.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides vastly superior performance in all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and application loading, making it extremely future-proof.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother visuals, making the display more responsive in everyday use and games.
- Much Brighter Screen: The 1500 nits brightness makes the screen easily viewable in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The combination of a larger battery and significantly faster charging drastically reduces charging times and improves endurance.
- Better Primary Camera: The main sensor is better with larger sensor size, pixel size and wider aperture, resulting in better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides better optical zoom capabilities.
- Vastly Superior Wide-angle Camera: Much higher resolution and a wider aperture on its wide-angle camera allows it to capture much higher quality wide angle photos
- Higher Resolution & Frame Rate Video Recording: Recording at 8K and 4K/120fps offers significantly better video capture capabilities.
- Newer Connectivity: Latest Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards for better connectivity performance
- More RAM and Storage: Offers more RAM and significantly more storage options for storing more apps, games, and multimedia files.
- Newer OS: Comes with a more recent version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates.
Practical Implications:
- The ZTE is aimed at users who need top-tier performance, excellent display quality, long battery life, and superior camera capabilities, particularly in video.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Weight: The ZTE is heavier, which could be a drawback for some users.
- Lack of Macro Lens: The ZTE lacks a dedicated macro camera.
- Price: Newer phones often carry a premium price tag.
- Unknown Camera Performance: The ZTE's cameras have not been tested by DXOMark, so its real-world performance is less predictable.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight phone.
- Casual users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks and photography.
- Users on a budget who still want a good display and camera.
- Those who want a phone that offers macro photography.
- Users who are already used to and like the Samsung ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Occasional photography and videography.
- Users who prefer a lighter device for extended use.
Ideal User for ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Power users, gamers, and professionals who demand the best possible performance.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Photography enthusiasts, especially those who prioritize video.
- Users who want superior wide-angle photography.
- Users who need high brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who want the latest features and best connectivity.
- Those who want top-tier specifications and don't mind a heavier phone.
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and multitasking, including heavy application usage
- Professional-grade video recording and editing.
- Extensive usage during long days.
- Users who want a future-proof device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung A72 offers a good price to value ratio but its older technology means it won't be as future-proof.
- The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is more expensive, but provides a much higher performance to value ratio due to its significantly more powerful processor, screen, battery and cameras.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, general use)
- How important is battery life, performance, and screen brightness?
- Is weight or portability a major factor?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Casual User: If budget is a major concern and you only need the phone for basic tasks and casual photography, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a solid option, offering a good display and camera.
- Gaming & Performance Enthusiast: If you want the best possible performance for gaming and demanding tasks, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear winner, with its superior processor, RAM, and display.
- Outdoor Photographer/Videographer: If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight and want to record videos, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is vastly superior with its brighter screen and excellent camera capabilities.
- Lightweight user: If a lighter device is important then the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better option.
- User who prefers versatility: The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a dedicated macro lens and telephoto lens, allowing for more diverse photography.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While I appreciate the lighter weight and dedicated macro lens of the Samsung Galaxy A72, the advantages of the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra are just too significant to ignore. The vast performance difference due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset will offer a much smoother and future-proof experience. Additionally, the dramatically brighter screen, larger battery with faster charging, higher quality video and wide-angle photography capabilities make it much better for my usage which includes gaming and photography, especially on the go. Although I am concerned about the lack of official DXOMark testing, the hardware specifications themselves seem much better, and I would be willing to take the risk with the ZTE's more modern offerings. Although it is heavier, the overall benefits of better performance, cameras and screen outweigh the lighter weight of the Samsung.
