Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. I'm approaching this as if I'm explaining the tech to a friend – clear, engaging, and focused on what really matters.
1. Specifications Breakdown
First, let's get the raw specs on the table and translate them into real-world impacts.
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The Nubia is slightly larger and thicker, might feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 246g | The Poco is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | The Nubia offers a noticeably larger display, great for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | The Nubia's resolution is a bit higher, but both are sharp enough for day-to-day use. |
| PPI | 409 | 400 | Both have very similar pixel densities, so the perceived sharpness will be roughly equal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Nubia has a much smoother scrolling and gaming experience due to the 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | The Nubia is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Nubia's chipset is a massive leap in performance, offering significantly faster app loading, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 2,017,588 | The Nubia scores almost 400% higher in benchmarks, clearly indicating much better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | The Nubia's GPU is far more powerful, providing smoother graphics in demanding applications and games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The Nubia has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life, but real life results may vary. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The Nubia charges much faster, meaning less time plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | The Poco can be used as a power bank to charge other devices while both phones have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.7µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | The Nubia's larger sensor and wider aperture allow for better low-light performance despite slightly lower megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", - | The Nubia’s selfie camera has a wider aperture and larger sensor offering better low-light selfie performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2", 0.70µm | The Nubia has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom, while the Poco does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | The Nubia offers a higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, resulting in better wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | The Poco has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while the Nubia does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | The Poco has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots while the Nubia does not. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | The Nubia supports higher-resolution video recording with stabilization and higher fps options. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple Camera | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple Camera | The Nubia offers optical zoom, OIS, continuous autofocus, Manual focus, laser autofocus, under-display camera while the Poco has a quadruple camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The Nubia has a newer operating system, meaning it will receive the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Nubia supports much faster and more modern Wi-Fi, better for faster speeds, lower latency, and access to 6GHz band |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The Nubia has a newer Bluetooth version for faster and more stable connections, with additional audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5) | The Nubia supports more satellite systems and frequencies resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support two nano SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Nubia has much higher base and maximum storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12/16/24 GB | The Nubia has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X, 3 microphones | Both have stereo speakers. Nubia has better surround sound, audio separation, and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Poco's side mounted fingerprint is a more advanced biometric feature than the Nubia. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nubia has better screen protection against scratches and damage from accidental drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Gravity, RGB | The Nubia has a comprehensive sensor suite for enhanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: Lightweight design, good AMOLED screen for its price, a wide range of sensors, Hi-Res Audio, and a dedicated depth and macro sensor.
- Competitive Advantages: More affordable, better for users on a budget, lightweight for better handling, and includes reverse charging capabilities.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful processor, lower refresh rate screen, and an older version of Android.
- Limitations: Lower performing camera, average battery life, lower storage options, no optical zoom and lacks telephoto lens.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Strengths: Top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, an extremely powerful camera with telephoto and wide angle lenses, larger battery with faster charging, and advanced connectivity features.
- Competitive Advantages: Offers flagship performance, excels in media consumption and gaming, much better camera, much better Wi-Fi, better audio capture, larger base storage options, and more future-proof.
- Trade-offs: Considerably more expensive, heavier, bulkier, does not have dedicated depth or macro lenses, nor reverse charging.
- Limitations: Heavier for some, might be less comfortable for prolonged handheld use.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a good screen and a lightweight design.
- Use Cases: Ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Great for someone who wants a reliable phone without breaking the bank. Also, for anyone who may need to use their phone as a power bank.
- ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Best for: Power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts who want top-tier performance and capabilities.
- Use Cases: Perfect for demanding games, heavy multitasking, professional photography, and media creation. This is for anyone who wants the absolute best performance and is not on a budget.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself when deciding between these phones:
- What's Your Budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Poco M5s offers great value for the price. If budget is not an issue, the Nubia Z60 Ultra is better in every way.
- What's Your Main Use Case? If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and light gaming, the Poco M5s may be sufficient. If you're looking for cutting-edge performance, advanced photography, and a super smooth display, the Nubia is the clear choice.
- How important is size and weight to you? If you prefer lightweight phones, the Poco M5s is better. If you don't mind a heavier phone, the Nubia's build quality is very well constructed.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User on a Budget: Go with the Poco M5s. It provides a solid experience for everyday tasks and is significantly more affordable.
- Mobile Gamer/Power User: The ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is the superior choice. Its cutting-edge processor, advanced display, and larger battery will significantly enhance your gaming and productivity.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Nubia Z60 Ultra wins by a landslide. The optical zoom, triple camera setup, and large sensors will produce higher quality photos and videos.
- User Prioritizing Portability: The Poco M5s is more comfortable for longer use thanks to its lighter design. The Nubia Z60 Ultra is larger and heavier.
- User Looking for the Latest Android Version: The Nubia comes with Android 14, so it will be better with receiving Android updates in the future.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would absolutely go with the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates high performance, the Nubia offers the perfect combination of cutting-edge technology, top-tier performance, and a superior camera system. While it's heavier and pricier, the benefits it provides— the blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the gorgeous 120Hz display, an excellent camera and its advanced connectivity features— far outweigh the trade-offs. The Nubia Z60 Ultra is a device that not only meets but exceeds my expectations and it feels much more future-proof. For anyone who values top-notch performance and wants a phone that can handle everything you throw at it without breaking a sweat, it's the clear winner.
