1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | Nubia Z60 Ultra is noticeably larger and bulkier, less pocketable for some users. |
| Weight | 169g | 246g | Galaxy S21 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass 5 front | Galaxy S21 screen is more scratch and shatter resistant compared to Nubia Z60. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | Nubia Z60 Ultra provides a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Minimal difference in sharpness; both are high-resolution and suitable for crisp visuals. |
| PPI | 421 | 400 | The S21 has a slightly higher pixel density, which is not noticeable in daily usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | Nubia Z60 Ultra is better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nubia Z60 Ultra has a significantly faster and more efficient processor, superior for demanding tasks like gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 2,017,588 | Nubia Z60 Ultra offers much faster app loading and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Nubia Z60 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, offering better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.8 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 54MP f/1.6 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | Nubia Z60 Ultra captures more detail and has better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP f/2.0 1/1.72" Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | Not Present | Galaxy S21 offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities, lacking on the Nubia. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 12MP f/2.0 1/2.4" Omnivision OV12D | Nubia Z60 Ultra captures slightly better quality selfies and has wider aperture, better for low light. |
| Telephoto lens | Not Present | 64MP f/3.3 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | Nubia Z60 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities not present in the S21. |
| Wide Angle lens | Not Present | 50MP f/1.8 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50E | Nubia Z60 Ultra provides ultra-wide shots not possible on the S21. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | Not Present | Galaxy S21 offers dedicated macro shots, lacking on the Nubia. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both capture high-resolution video, but Nubia Z60 Ultra has more flexible frame rate options. |
| Slow-mo | Up to 960fps | Up to 240fps | Galaxy S21 offers faster slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 111 | Not Available | S21 performs well, but Nubia is untested. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Available | S21 performs well, but Nubia is untested. |
| Camera Features | PDAF | LAF, Under-display Camera | Nubia Z60 has LAF for faster focus and under display selfie camera for immersive display, while S21 has PDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | Nubia Z60 Ultra has significantly longer battery life, less frequent charging needed. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Nubia Z60 Ultra charges much faster, getting back to full capacity in less time. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse, No Charger in Box | Non-Removable | Galaxy S21 has more flexible battery options, Nubia only has fast charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around, more pocketable.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better scratch and shatter resistance.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers more convenient charging options.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: Capable of capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Better Slow Motion: Captures faster slow-motion footage
- Tested Camera Performance The DXOMark scores for both main and selfie camera means the S21 is reliable.
- More Bluetooth Features: Offers a more comprehensive Bluetooth audio experience
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Larger Display: More immersive viewing experience for multimedia and gaming.
- Higher Brightness: Better screen visibility in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Much faster charging speeds.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution main sensor, providing more detailed photos and better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Ultrawide Cameras: More versatility in photo composition, allows more zoom options.
- Under-Display Selfie Camera: Provides full display without interruption.
- Newer Wifi standard: Access to faster WiFi 7 connections.
- More RAM Options: More flexible configurations to allow more demanding tasks to run.
Trade-offs
- S21: Sacrifices battery life and processing power for a more portable form factor.
- Nubia: Less portable and heavier due to its larger size and battery.
- S21: Slower charging speed.
- Nubia: sacrifices wireless charging and slow-mo recording for improved performance and battery life
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who value portability: Those who prefer a lightweight, pocketable phone.
- Users who utilize wireless charging: Those who value convenience of wireless charging.
- Users who take a lot of macro photos: Those who enjoy taking detailed close-up shots.
- Users who value tested reliability: The verified camera and battery performance offers a good level of confidence.
- General users: Users who want a reliable all-rounder for daily tasks.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Gamers and power users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps and games.
- Multimedia consumers: Those who want an immersive viewing experience and long battery life.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want more versatile and higher quality cameras.
- Users who need excellent battery life: Those who require a phone that can last a full day or more with heavy use.
- Users who value screen experience Those who want immersive, full screen display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Prioritize Portability vs. Battery Life? Do you prefer a lightweight phone that's easy to carry, or a longer-lasting phone with a larger battery?
- Performance or Practicality? Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and demanding tasks, or are you more focused on a reliable phone for daily use?
- Camera Versatility or tested Reliability? Do you want a more versatile camera system with zoom and wide-angle, or a tested and reliable all rounder camera?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you're a casual user who prioritizes a good all-around phone with a compact form factor, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a suitable choice due to it's reliability.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer: If you're a gamer or power user who needs the best performance and a long-lasting battery, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize versatile photography options and don't mind a larger phone, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the better choice with its more capable camera system.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. While I appreciate the smaller size and convenience of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, my priority lies with performance and camera versatility. The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's significantly faster chipset, larger battery, and better camera system (with telephoto and ultrawide capabilities) make it a much more appealing choice for my typical usage. I value the bigger screen for media consumption, and the improved charging speed is a big plus. The weight and size difference are noticeable, but it's a trade-off I am willing to make for the advantages the Nubia offers. The under display selfie camera is also something I appreciate for a fully immersive screen experience.
