Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. These are two very different phones, each with its own strengths and target audience. We'll break it all down with a focus on real-world implications.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with an emphasis on what these specs mean for your day-to-day usage:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The ZTE is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, less pocketable. |
| Weight | 177g | 246g | The Samsung is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both have the standard build for smartphones |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | The ZTE offers more screen real estate, great for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has a slight resolution edge, which translates to crisper visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 403 PPI | 400 PPI | Both are virtually the same in terms of sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations are identical on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE will be more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The ZTE boasts a newer, significantly faster chipset, leading to snappier performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 2,017,588 | ZTE is over twice as performant, providing better gaming and multitasking capabilities |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | The ZTE's Adreno 750 will handle graphics-intensive tasks with less effort |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | ZTE has significantly more detail and better low-light capabilities on its main lens |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | S21 FE has an extra Telephoto + Portrait camera lens, improving its zoom potential |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4" | S21 FE has more megapixels, but ZTE might offer better low-light in its selfie cam due to the wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2" | ZTE has an additional telephoto lens |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | ZTE has an additional Wide Angle Lens |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | None | S21 FE has an additional wide angle + Macro lens |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps | 8K up to 30fps, 4k up to 120fps | ZTE offers significantly higher resolution video and a higher frame rate on 4k video |
| DxoMark Mobile | 117 | - | S21 FE Has been benchmarked while ZTE lacks this data |
| DxoMark Selfie | 127 | - | S21 FE Has been benchmarked while ZTE lacks this data |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | ZTE's larger battery should result in substantially longer usage time. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | ZTE will charge much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | None | S21 FE offers wireless charging, a convenient addition |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | Android 14 | The ZTE runs on a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ZTE supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, promising faster and more reliable connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The ZTE has a more modern Bluetooth version. |
| 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) | |
| ZTE provides more accurate positioning | |||
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones have the same functionalities regarding SIM |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1024 GB | ZTE offers much more storage capacity |
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB / 24 GB | ZTE has an advantage in terms of multitasking due to higher RAM options |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X | Both have comparable audio performance. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer the standard fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung offers better protection against damages |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung offers additional Environmental sensors |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly easier to handle for extended periods.
- Wireless Charging: A convenient feature for many users.
- Excellent Selfie Camera: High-resolution front-facing camera ideal for social media.
- Established Brand Support: Benefit from a well-known ecosystem.
- Additional Sensors: Comes with environmental sensors for advanced features.
- Better screen protection: Equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering better protection against scratches and drops.
- Telephoto + Portrait Lens and Macro Lens: It has more versatility regarding camera lenses.
- DXOMark Score: It has been benchmarked with excellent scores.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Strengths:
- Significantly More Powerful: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers substantially superior performance.
- Larger, Brighter Display: A more immersive viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Massive Battery: The 6000mAh battery will easily last through a full day and more.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging minimizes downtime.
- Superior Main Camera: Its primary camera offers higher resolution and a larger sensor for better image quality, especially in low light.
- More Storage & RAM: It comes with much higher storage and RAM options, offering more flexibility.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Provides faster and more efficient wireless connections.
- Higher Video Recording Resolution: Records up to 8k videos.
- More accurate GPS More versatile positioning thanks to a better variety of satellites.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight (ZTE): The ZTE is considerably bulkier and heavier.
- Wireless Charging (Samsung): The Samsung offers wireless charging, which the ZTE lacks.
- Camera versatility (Samsung): While the ZTE has a superior primary lens, the Samsung offers more diverse shooting options with its multiple lenses.
- Performance (Samsung): The S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 is older generation, leaving it considerably behind in raw performance.
- Software Updates: The Nubia doesn’t come with a guaranteed maximum Android version, so it may not get as many updates as the S21 FE.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best suited for:
- Everyday users: Those who value a lightweight, compact phone with a good all-around experience.
- Social media enthusiasts: Users who frequently take selfies.
- Those who want the convenience of wireless charging: Users who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.
- Established ecosystem enthusiasts: Those who prefer a well-established brand and ecosystem.
- Users who need a phone with multiple versatile lenses: For users that like taking photos from different perspectives and zooming, the Samsung is the better choice.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is best suited for:
- Power users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, or demanding apps.
- Media consumers: Those who prioritize a large, immersive display for movies, videos, and games.
- Heavy phone users: Users who need a long-lasting battery that won't require frequent charging.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a high-quality main camera with low-light capabilities.
- Those looking for faster connectivity: Users who want the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Users that want top performance: It's a better choice for gaming and heavy-duty tasks.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- Prioritize convenience or performance? If portability and wireless charging are key, the Samsung might suit you better. If top-tier performance and battery life are essential, the ZTE is the obvious choice.
- How important is camera versatility versus main camera quality? If you like having multiple lenses to take different kinds of pictures, the Samsung is the better choice. However, if you only care about taking great main photos, the ZTE has the better sensor.
- Budget and availability Both phones have similar prices, so this shouldn't be a determining factor. However, if one of the phones isn't available in your region, that could be the end of the discussion.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user If you just want a good, reliable phone for daily tasks and social media, the Samsung S21 FE 5G is a solid choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer If gaming is your main focus, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra's superior performance and battery life make it the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography: If you are a photo enthusiast with different preferences regarding photo lenses, the Samsung S21 FE 5G should be your pick. If you mostly care about the quality of your main camera shots, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is better suited for you.
- Scenario 4: Power user on the go If you often find yourself running low on battery and need a phone that can handle everything you throw at it, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the better option thanks to its larger battery and fast charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. The raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is just too compelling. As someone who frequently pushes my phone to its limits with demanding apps and gaming, the improved performance, combined with the significantly larger battery, is a game-changer. While I appreciate the convenience of wireless charging on the Samsung, the ZTE’s fast charging almost eliminates any inconvenience. The larger, brighter screen is also a significant plus for media consumption. Finally, the significantly better main camera is a very big deal. In my book, the raw performance and camera quality overcome the additional weight.
This is a comparison of two quite different devices, so it comes down to what you value most in a phone. I hope this in-depth breakdown helps you decide which of these fantastic devices better suits your needs. Let me know if you have any other questions!
