Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. On one side we have a foldable marvel from Samsung, the Z Flip3 5G, a phone that makes a statement with its unique design, while on the other we have ZTE's nubia Z60 Ultra, a powerhouse packed with cutting-edge tech. Let's get into the nitty-gritty.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Foldable | Standard | Flip3 offers unique compact design, Z60 Ultra provides a more conventional large screen experience |
| Dimensions (mm) | 166 x 72.2 x 6.9 (Unfolded) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 | Z Flip3 is taller unfolded, Z60 Ultra is wider and thicker, impacting grip and pocketability |
| Weight (g) | 183 | 246 | Flip3 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Very similar screen real estate, negligible difference in size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2640 | 1116x2480 | Both are sharp; slight difference in pixel count unlikely to be noticeable |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 426 | 400 | Flip3 offers a slightly sharper image due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Z60 Ultra has AMOLED tech offering superior blacks and vibrant colors. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1500 | Z60 Ultra has better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Z60 Ultra has a newer, more powerful processor, providing faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 898,700 | 2,017,588 | Z60 Ultra has significantly faster performance, noticeable in gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Z60 Ultra has a much more capable GPU, giving a superior graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12.2MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | Z60 Ultra has a higher resolution and larger sensor; superior image quality in theory |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4" | Z60 Ultra has better selfie camera (wider aperture, larger sensor, better low-light selfies) |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2" | Z60 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, Flip3 has none. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, 1/3.06" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | Z60 Ultra has a significantly higher-res wide-angle lens, superior detail & low light perf. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 960fps Slow-Mo | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, 240fps Slow-Mo | Z60 Ultra offers higher resolution and frame rates, suitable for professional use. |
| DxoMark Score | 111 | Not Available | Flip3 has a tested camera performance, Z60 does not |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 3300mAh | 6000mAh | Z60 Ultra has much larger battery; significant impact on battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Z60 Ultra charges dramatically faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Z60 Ultra has the latest Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Z60 Ultra supports the latest WiFi standard, better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | Z60 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L2+L5 | Z60 Ultra has better location accuracy due to more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | Flip3 offers eSIM, Z60 Ultra has Dual SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Z60 Ultra offers significantly more storage options; more flexibility for storage needs. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB | Z60 Ultra has higher RAM options, better for heavy multitasking & demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Z60 Ultra offers superior audio due to DTS / DTS X. better voice pickup |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Flip3 has more advanced and convenient security compared to Z60. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Flip3 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Barometer | RGB | Flip3 additional environmental and navigational sensors |
2. Key Insights
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: This phone’s biggest strength is its unique foldable design. It's a fashion-forward device, compact when folded, and offers a decent display, good performance for everyday tasks, and a capable camera system. It offers the advantage of having been tested with DxOMark, giving a picture of the camera's capabilities. It offers features such as reverse charging, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. However, it's held back by a smaller battery and relatively slower charging, and a weaker main camera and telephoto lens.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: This is a raw powerhouse. It boasts a much more powerful chipset, a larger battery with much faster charging, a superior camera system (both main and selfie) with more versatile shooting options, and a larger display with better brightness, and a newer version of Android. It has a massive RAM and storage options and a better wifi standard. However, it lacks the unique foldable design of the Z Flip3 and has a more basic fingerprint scanner.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Users: Ideal for users who value design and portability. If you want a pocketable phone that can turn heads and you're not a heavy gamer or camera enthusiast, this is a solid option. It's perfect for social media, casual photography, and everyday use.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Users: This phone is for power users. If you're a gamer, a photographer, or someone who needs a phone that can handle intense multitasking and wants incredible battery life, the Z60 Ultra is the clear winner. It excels in performance, camera versatility, and media consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you value a unique foldable design and portability over raw performance and battery life? If yes, the Z Flip3 might be for you. If no, consider the Z60 Ultra.
- Do you need the best possible camera system and video recording capabilities? The Z60 Ultra is significantly superior here with the higher res sensors, larger sensor sizes and telephoto lens.
- How important is long battery life and fast charging to you? The Z60 Ultra's battery capacity and charging are significantly superior, providing longer battery life and shorter charging times.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Social Butterfly: If you're focused on taking selfies, sharing on social media, and a cool, pocketable design matters, the Z Flip3 is a great choice.
- The Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you're a heavy gamer, or someone needing raw power and long battery life, the Z60 Ultra wins hands down.
- The Photographer/Videographer: The Z60 Ultra is the better option here, its superior camera system, and higher video recording capabilities gives you a lot more options.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
As a tech journalist, I value a phone that pushes boundaries in performance and offers a superior overall experience. While the foldable design of the Z Flip3 is intriguing, the Z60 Ultra’s combination of a powerful chipset, incredible battery life, superior camera system, and faster charging is just too compelling to ignore. I need a phone that can handle everything I throw at it, from demanding benchmarks and gaming to heavy photo editing and video recording, and the Z60 Ultra fits that bill perfectly. While I admire the engineering that went into the Z Flip3, the Z60 Ultra is a powerhouse with the latest technology that makes more sense for my needs.
