Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-12-29 | ZTE is almost 3 years newer, likely with more modern features. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and thicker, potentially less pocketable. |
| Weight | 200g | 246g | Samsung is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in size, both are large for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has slightly sharper images due to higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 394 | 400 | Both have very similar pixel density, so sharpness will be nearly identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ZTE has a much newer and significantly more powerful chip, resulting in faster performance and better energy efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 2,017,588 | ZTE offers a massive performance advantage, ensuring smooth operation even under heavy loads and modern gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | ZTE's Adreno 750 GPU will deliver considerably superior graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | ZTE has a larger battery offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | ZTE charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | None | Samsung offers versatile wireless charging, but does not have charging brick included. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 54MP | ZTE captures more detail with a higher resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | ZTE allows more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.49" | ZTE has larger sensor, improving light capture and image quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP | None | Samsung has a telephoto lens, providing optical zoom capabilities |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP | ZTE has a telephoto lens, providing optical zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | ZTE offers an ultra-wide lens for expansive shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 12MP | ZTE captures slightly more detail with its front camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | ZTE’s front camera performs slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.4" | ZTE has a larger sensor, improving light capture and image quality |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP | None | Samsung has an additional lens for ultra-wide and close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps & 4K@120fps | Both are capable of high-resolution video, with slightly different frame rate options. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 | Not Available | Samsung’s camera has been reviewed, providing an understanding of image quality, while the ZTE does not have a public score. |
| Camera Features | PDAF | LAF, Under display camera | ZTE offers a laser autofocus and an under-display selfie camera. Samsung offers phase detection autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | ZTE comes with a newer version of Android, receiving more timely updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ZTE supports newer Wi-Fi standard, for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | ZTE has the latest Bluetooth version, offering better power efficiency and speed. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | ZTE has more satelite coverage, for improved accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Samsung offers eSIM, while both use Nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1024 GB | ZTE offers more storage, for more videos, photos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB | ZTE offers much more RAM, for better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers the ability to expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X | Samsung has Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res, for premium audio, while the ZTE has DTS. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer basic fingerprint sensors for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung has the more scratch and impact resistant glass on its display. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity, RGB | Samsung has more environmental sensors for specific use cases, while ZTE offers more for app development and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use and single-hand operation.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Provides more flexibility for using multiple phone numbers.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better durability against scratches and impacts.
- Additional Sensors: Includes Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic sensors for specific applications.
- DXOMark Camera Score: Provides an understanding of camera quality.
- Wider Variety of Bluetooth Codecs: Offers greater flexibility for connection to Bluetooth devices.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Newer Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers vastly superior performance and efficiency.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Demonstrates much faster app loading, smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life, reducing charging frequency.
- Faster Charging: Reduces charging time significantly.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detail with its 54MP sensor.
- Better Low-Light Performance (Main Camera): Wider aperture and larger sensor captures more light.
- Telephoto, and Wide Angle Lens: Offers more flexibility in photography.
- Newer Operating System: Android 14 provides access to the latest features and security updates.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Provides greater storage capacity and better performance for heavy users.
- Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Offers faster and more reliable connections.
- More Accurate GPS: Superior GPS location tracking.
- Under Display Selfie Camera: Offers more screen real estate without camera notch.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+ 5G: Sacrifices performance and battery life for lighter weight, and wireless charging.
- ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra: Is heavier and does not offer wireless charging capabilities for superior performance, camera and battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who value a lighter phone, and wireless charging.
- Users who value a reputable brand.
- Users who value a telephoto camera.
- Users who don't require maximum performance and are not hardcore gamers.
- Users who do not need a large amount of internal storage.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, light productivity.
- Casual photography with a telephoto lens.
- Users who appreciate the additional security provided by eSIM.
- Users who value superior screen protection.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Ideal User:
- Users who want top-tier performance and the latest technology.
- Gamers and power users who need a fast and responsive device.
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging.
- Users who value camera flexibility and image quality.
- Users who need a lot of RAM and internal storage.
Use Cases:
- Gaming with heavy graphical applications.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Multi-tasking with several resource-intensive apps.
- Traveling or situations where access to charging is limited.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Priority: Do you need the absolute best performance for gaming and demanding apps, or is a moderate level of performance acceptable?
- Battery Life: Is long battery life crucial for your daily usage, or is frequent charging not a problem?
- Camera Needs: Do you require telephoto, or wide-angle camera capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance Focused: If you are a gamer or need a high-performance device, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear choice due to its superior chipset, GPU, RAM, and battery life.
- Scenario 2: Casual User with Balanced Needs: If you need a balanced phone that is comfortable, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G would be a better fit, due to it's lower weight, and wireless charging capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you value versatile photo taking options the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra offers wide angle and telephoto lenses with a higher resolution main camera.
- Scenario 4: Battery Life Priority: If you need long battery life, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra will be the better option due to its larger battery and fast charging capabilities.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a more familiar brand experience and wireless charging capabilities, the ZTE phone's massive performance boost, substantially longer battery life, and the versatility offered by its modern camera system make it a compelling choice. The significantly superior performance due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and the large 6000mAh battery make it an excellent pick for demanding use cases. Although slightly heavier, I believe the performance advantages significantly outweigh this drawback. The newer version of Android would also provide more timely updates and a better user experience.
