1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | ZTE is slightly taller but thinner, making it potentially feel sleeker. Poco is thicker and a bit wider |
| Weight | 198g | 246g | Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. ZTE is heavier, which might feel more premium to some users but fatiguing for others. |
| Build | Not Specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front | The ZTE has superior screen protection, likely making it more durable against scratches and minor impacts. The Xiaomi's front screen protection is older (Gorilla Glass 3). |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.8" | ZTE offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is good for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1116x2480 | ZTE has slightly sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Both have very similar pixel density; differences would be unnoticeable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ZTE has much better display quality (deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency with dark mode). |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE offers much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE will be significantly more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ZTE is significantly faster and more responsive (top tier vs budget processor); can handle demanding games and apps effortlessly. Poco struggles with intensive tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 185,028 | 2,017,588 | The ZTE has vastly superior performance, ensuring a much smoother and faster experience in all tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | ZTE has superior graphics performance, critical for modern gaming and graphic intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | ZTE captures more detailed images with wider aperture and larger sensor, improving low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", -µm | ZTE captures more detailed selfies due to higher resolution and larger sensor, resulting in better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2", 0.7µm | ZTE has zoom capabilities for photos and videos, the Poco has no optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | ZTE can capture much wider shots, allowing more flexibility in photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ZTE captures much higher quality videos with stabilization, offering a superior video recording experience. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser autofocus (LAF), Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | ZTE features significantly more advanced features for a higher-quality overall camera experience. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 6000mAh | Both phones have similar battery life |
| Charging | 18W | 80W | ZTE charges much faster, allowing a quicker return to full power. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | None | Poco can act as a power bank to charge other devices. The Poco has a slightly faster charger included in the box than its maximum charging speed. The ZTE's fast charger is not mentioned if in-box. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | ZTE is running a much more modern version of Android with better security, features and optimizations |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | ZTE supports the latest WiFi standards for faster and more stable internet connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | ZTE has a newer Bluetooth version, enabling better audio quality and faster connections to peripherals. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | 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 offers significantly more robust and accurate GPS positioning due to the support of more satellite networks |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | ZTE offers substantially more storage space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB | ZTE has much more RAM allowing for smoother multitasking and app switching |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows additional storage via SD card. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ZTE offers slightly better audio with DTS and multiple mics for better voice recording, whilst Poco offers Hi-Res audio playback. |
Security and Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Poco has the more advanced fingerprint sensor; no location specified for the ZTE, may be in-screen. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity, RGB | The ZTE has a much more comprehensive suite of sensors, which improve functionality in games and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Lighter: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Included 22.5W Fast Charger: A faster charger included in the box than it can even use.
- Hi-Res Audio: Supports high resolution audio for better quality playback.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more convenient than a basic sensor.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness. Offers much better visual experience.
- Far Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers vastly superior processing and graphics power.
- Much Better Camera System: Superior main, selfie, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, plus advanced video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging allows for significantly quicker recharges.
- More RAM/Storage: Greater multitasking capabilities and space for media.
- More Modern Software: Android 14 offers enhanced features and security.
- Better Connectivity: Latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards for enhanced performance.
- More Robust GPS: Offers better location accuracy.
- Advanced Audio System: Features DTS/DTS X and three microphones for a more immersive audio experience.
- More comprehensive sensors: Supports more sensors for more advanced functionality.
- Better build quality: Uses Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco M3: Sacrifices performance, display, camera, and charging speed for a more budget-friendly price and lighter build.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra: Higher price point and heavier weight are the major trade-offs.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality, not heavy gaming or demanding apps.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media browsing.
- Basic media consumption (videos, music)
- Users who need a backup phone.
- Users who need to use it as a power bank for other devices.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Users who want the absolute best performance, display, and camera quality, and are willing to pay a higher price.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at the highest settings.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Content creation and heavy multitasking.
- Users who need the best possible mobile performance.
- Users who need advanced connectivity options
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? If you're on a strict budget, the Xiaomi is more likely your choice.
- Performance Needs: Are you primarily using your phone for basic tasks, or do you need top-tier performance for gaming, photography, or content creation?
- Display Preference: Do you value a high-quality display with vibrant colors, high refresh rates, and good sunlight visibility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Tight Budget & Basic Use: If your budget is very limited and you need a phone for basic tasks with a decent battery, the Xiaomi Poco M3 makes sense.
- Performance & Camera Priority: If you want the best mobile experience, the ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear choice. It excels in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and connectivity.
- Balanced Usage: If you want to balance cost with some good features, the phones compared do not provide a balance, the ZTE is the much better phone.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is so significant that it outweighs the higher price and weight, as well as the lack of reverse charging. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 is a budget option, the overall experience and longevity offered by the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who values a premium smartphone experience. The Xiaomi is a much older phone, thus it is expected to be significantly behind.
