Xiaomi Redmi 9C vs ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 12, 2020 December 29, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 114.28 cm³ 110.26 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.33 "/g 2.76 "/g
Weight 196 g 246 g
Height 164.9 mm 164 mm
Width 77 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 9 mm 8.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Gray
  • Sunrise Orange
  • Twilight Blue
  • Silver
  • Black
  • Photographer Edition

Display

Screen Size 6.53 " 6.8 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1116 x 2480
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.1 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1500 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 117.26 mAh/in² 129.76 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.75 mAh/cm³ 54.42 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features microUSB 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Dimensions164.9 × 77 × 9 mm164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mmNubia Z60 Ultra is slightly more compact but difference is negligible.
Weight196g246gRedmi 9C is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed.
Build Quality (Screen)UnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 5Nubia Z60 Ultra offers better screen protection against scratches and drops.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Size6.53"6.8"Nubia Z60 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution720x16001116x2480Nubia Z60 Ultra has a much sharper and clearer display, resulting in better visual fidelity.
PPI269400Text and images on the Nubia Z60 Ultra will appear noticeably sharper.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDNubia Z60 Ultra has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency (especially with dark themes).
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzNubia Z60 Ultra provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences.
Brightness0 nits1500 nitsNubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Nubia Z60 Ultra offers vastly superior performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.
AnTuTu Score110,4902,017,588The Nubia Z60 Ultra is significantly faster and more responsive.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 750Nubia Z60 Ultra provides much better graphics performance, essential for smooth gaming.
RAM2/3/4 GB8/12/16/24 GBNubia Z60 Ultra enables smoother multitasking and better app retention in memory.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Main Camera13MP, f/2.254MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800Nubia Z60 Ultra captures much more detailed and higher-quality photos, especially in low light due to the larger sensor and wider aperture.
Ultrawide CameraNone50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50ENubia Z60 Ultra can capture wide-angle shots, fitting more into the frame.
Telephoto CameraNone64MP, f/3.3, 1/2" Omnivision OV64BNubia Z60 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens allowing for optical zoom without significant quality loss.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.212MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4" Omnivision OV12DNubia Z60 Ultra takes higher-resolution and brighter selfie photos.
Video Recording1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@120fpsNubia Z60 Ultra can record much higher quality videos, including 8K. It also supports slow-motion recording at higher frame rates.
Camera FeaturesBasicOIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night ModeNubia Z60 Ultra has advanced features such as optical image stabilization for sharper images and videos and a dedicated night mode for better low-light performance.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh6000mAhNubia Z60 Ultra is likely to offer longer battery life, especially under heavy use.
Charging10W80WNubia Z60 Ultra charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime.

Connectivity

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/beNubia Z60 Ultra supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better range.
Bluetooth5.05.4Nubia Z60 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially improved efficiency and features.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouA-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)Nubia Z60 Ultra supports more satellite systems, leading to more accurate and reliable location tracking.

Storage

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Internal32/64/128GB256/512/1024GBNubia Z60 Ultra offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card.

Other

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CZTE nubia Z60 UltraPractical Impact
Operating SystemAndroid 10Android 14Nubia Z60 Ultra offers a more modern and feature-rich operating system with the latest security updates.
AudioBasicDTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphonesNubia Z60 Ultra offers a better audio experience for music, videos, and calls.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi 9C Advantages:

  • Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (50g) making it more comfortable to hold for long periods.
  • Price: Likely significantly cheaper (though exact pricing not provided).

Practical Implications:

  • The Redmi 9C is more comfortable for users who prioritize portability and ease of handling, especially one-handed.
  • If budget is a major concern, the Redmi 9C is the more affordable option.

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness.
  • Much Higher Performance: Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
  • Better Camera System: Versatile triple camera setup with better sensors and features (OIS, Laser AF, RAW).
  • Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and significantly faster charging.
  • More Storage & RAM: Higher storage capacity and RAM options.
  • Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
  • Better Audio: Stereo Speakers.
  • Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5

Practical Implications:

  • The Nubia Z60 Ultra delivers a vastly superior user experience, especially for gaming, photography, and media consumption.
  • It's more future-proof due to the powerful chipset and advanced features.

Trade-offs:

  • The Nubia Z60 Ultra is heavier.
  • The Nubia Z60 Ultra will almost certainly be substantially more expensive.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi 9C:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those needing a basic phone for calls, texts, and light social media use, or those preferring a lighter device.
  • Use Cases:
    • A secondary phone.
    • For users with basic smartphone needs.
    • As a starter phone for children or elderly users.
  • Price-to-Value: Good value for its price point, considering its basic functionality.

ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:

  • Ideal User: Users who demand high performance, excellent camera capabilities, and a premium multimedia experience. Gamers, photographers, and power users will appreciate this phone.
  • Use Cases:
    • Demanding mobile gaming.
    • High-quality photography and videography.
    • Multitasking and running demanding applications.
    • Enjoying movies and videos on a vibrant, high-resolution display.
  • Price-to-Value: Justified by the high-end features and performance, if within budget.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The Redmi 9C is likely significantly cheaper.
  2. What are your primary uses for the phone? If it's just basic communication, the Redmi 9C may suffice. If you want a flagship experience the Nubia Z60 Ultra is the only option.
  3. How important are camera quality, performance, and display quality? If these are important, the Nubia Z60 Ultra is the clear winner.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 9C.
  • Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Some Gaming/Photography: Unfortunately, while Nubia is a strong contender, the Redmi 9C is not. Consider other phones, as the Redmi 9C will struggle to run more intensive games, and its camera is not very good.
  • Scenario 3: No Budget Constraints, Best Possible Experience: Choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.

What I Would Choose and Why:

I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra.

The difference in specifications between these two phones is massive. While the Redmi 9C is lighter and will get the job done for basic tasks, the Nubia Z60 Ultra is a much better device, and it is far more capable in nearly every area. I enjoy mobile gaming and photography, and I watch a lot of videos on my phone. I need my phone to have the power to run demanding apps and games smoothly, and I want a fantastic display to fully enjoy my games and videos. I appreciate a versatile camera system that performs well in a variety of conditions. The ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra delivers on all of these needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.