Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-02 | 2023-12-29 | ZTE is significantly newer, likely with more current software and features. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 | ZTE is slightly wider and thicker, might feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight (g) | 208 | 246 | Xiaomi is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.81 | 6.8 | Both displays are similar in size, a negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1116x2480 | Xiaomi's display is noticeably sharper with higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 400 | Xiaomi's display offers finer details and sharper text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1700 | 1500 | Xiaomi's display is more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | ZTE offers significantly faster processing speed and improved efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 2,017,588 | ZTE handles demanding tasks much smoother and faster, making it better for gaming and heavy use. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | ZTE's GPU handles complex graphics with ease. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 5000 | 6000 | ZTE offers potentially longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 67W wired | 80W wired | ZTE charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 67W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | None | Xiaomi provides wireless charging capabilities, which ZTE lacks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP (1/1.12") | 54MP (1/1.49") | Xiaomi's larger sensor might capture slightly more light. ZTE has better aperture for better low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (1/3.4") | 12MP (1/2.4") | Xiaomi provides more detailed selfies, while ZTE's selfie camera has a bigger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | 64MP | ZTE provides dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities, while Xiaomi offers a macro mode with its telephoto camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (1/3.06") | 50MP (1/1.55") | ZTE offers higher resolution and a larger sensor for more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps + 4K@120fps | ZTE supports higher framerate 4k recording and Xiaomi has slightly higher frame rate for 8k recording |
| Features | Laser AF, PDAF, Ultra Stable Video | Under display camera, Night mode, Exposure compensation | Different approaches to features; Xiaomi focuses on autofocus and video stabilization, while ZTE provides advanced shooting modes |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | ZTE ships with a more modern Android version, offering newer features and better security |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ZTE offers more advanced Wi-Fi with potentially faster speeds and better stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | ZTE has a newer version, offering slightly better range and efficiency. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L2+L5 | ZTE offers more accurate and faster GPS location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | ZTE provides much more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16/24 GB | ZTE offers significantly higher RAM options for superior multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X | Different audio enhancements; both support stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi has a slightly more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Heart Rate | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Gravity, RGB | Xiaomi has Heart Rate sensor and ZTE has Gravity and RGB sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI for clearer visuals.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless capabilities.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers more robust screen protection compared to Gorilla Glass 5
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: Significantly faster processor and GPU for better performance.
- Significantly higher AnTuTu Score: Handles demanding tasks with superior performance.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Wired Charging: Reduces charging time.
- Better Wide Angle Camera: Larger sensor and higher resolution for better wide-angle photos.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated zoom capabilities.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, offering modern features and security updates.
- Better WiFi and Bluetooth Support: More advanced WiFi and Bluetooth protocols.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers greater capacity and superior multitasking performance.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Lighter and sharper display, but older chipset, less storage and RAM, and weaker camera performance.
- ZTE: Bulkier and heavier, slightly less sharp display, but significantly more powerful performance and newer software, better camera performance for the most part, but no wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a lighter, more comfortable phone with a very sharp display and value wireless charging. Those who don't need the absolute best in performance and newer software.
- Use Cases: Casual use, media consumption, users who appreciate a lighter build and sharp display, those who value wireless charging.
- Price-to-Value: The price will be lower, but the value is diminished due to the older chipset.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users who need top-tier performance, gamers, and photography enthusiasts.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, professional photography, videography, users who prioritize future-proofing.
- Price-to-Value: Offers higher performance and more advanced features, making it a strong value for performance-focused users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming or heavy multitasking, or is good performance adequate?
- Battery and Charging: Do you prioritize longer battery life or wireless charging convenience?
- Camera Requirements: Do you value wide-angle and zoom capabilities, or do you focus on overall image quality and video?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, media consumption, Wireless charging preference
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The lighter weight, sharper display and wireless charging will benefit this type of user.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or power user
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. The superior performance and RAM will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. The dedicated telephoto lens and excellent wide-angle camera will be more appealing.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro could be considered. But if money is not a big issue, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra would be more future proof.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has some appealing features like its lighter weight, sharper display, and wireless charging, the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra wins for several reasons that align with my priorities as a user:
- Future-Proofing: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and Android 14 OS mean the Z60 Ultra will likely remain more performant and up-to-date for a longer time.
- Raw Performance: The higher AnTuTu score and superior GPU performance make it a better choice for demanding tasks and games.
- Camera Versatility: The dedicated telephoto lens and higher-resolution wide-angle camera offer much more creative flexibility and capture better photos.
- Battery Life and Charging Speed: The bigger battery and faster charging are a big plus for someone who uses their phone heavily.
- More storage and RAM: The higher RAM will help in heavy multitasking.
The lack of wireless charging is a trade-off, but the significant performance upgrade, coupled with the better camera and more modern software, outweighs this single drawback. The slight increase in bulk is acceptable given the overall gains in power and versatility of the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.
