Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. It's a classic matchup between a budget-friendly contender and a high-end powerhouse. Buckle up; this is going to be a detailed look.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications and their real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | The nubia is larger in all dimensions, which may feel more bulky in the pocket. The Redmi is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 179g | 246g | The Redmi is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods of use. The Nubia feels heavier and more substantial. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nubia has better scratch protection for the screen; it will handle day-to-day wear and tear much better than the Redmi's display. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | The Nubia offers a more immersive experience with a bigger screen; the Redmi is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1116 x 2480 | The Nubia provides a marginally sharper image due to slightly higher pixel count, though both are crisp for regular usage. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 400 PPI | Both displays are incredibly sharp, pixel density is virtually the same and indistinguishable for the average human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both utilize AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks, leading to excellent visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nubia provides a smoother scrolling and gaming experience, making everyday interactions slightly more fluid compared to the Redmi. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1500 nits | The Nubia is significantly more visible in bright outdoor environments, offering much better visibility under sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Nubia has a much more powerful chipset, resulting in dramatically faster performance, smoother multitasking, and far superior gaming capabilities. The Redmi is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with resource-intensive applications. |
| Antutu Score | 302,877 | 2,017,588 | The Nubia's benchmark scores are 566% higher, meaning a significantly smoother experience overall, from app launching to playing advanced games. This represents a huge difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 750 | The Nubia's GPU is significantly more capable, leading to superior graphics rendering and gaming performance. The Redmi is fine for casual gaming, but will not run more advanced games at high settings. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm pixel size, Samsung S5KHM2 | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.0µm pixel size, Sony IMX800 | The Redmi has higher resolution, but the Nubia has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm pixel size, Sony IMX471 Exmor RS | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", no pixel size listed, Omnivision OV12D | The Redmi has a higher-resolution camera, while the Nubia has a larger sensor and a wider aperture, which will result in better low light and more natural depth-of-field. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 64MP, f/3.3, 1/2", 0.70 µm pixel size, Omnivision OV64B | The Nubia has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities, which is very useful for zooming without losing a lot of detail; the Redmi lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm pixel size, Sony IMX355 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm pixel size, Omnivision OV50E | The Nubia has much higher resolution and a wider aperture and a larger sensor in its wide-angle lens, offering substantially improved ultra-wide shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm pixel size, Omnivision OV02B1B | Not Available | The Redmi has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, though it's mostly software based. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm pixel size, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Not Available | The Redmi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, though it's of relatively low quality; the Nubia lacks this feature and will be handled by the wide or main cameras. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@120fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@60fps with HDR, EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | The Nubia is far superior for video recording, offering much higher resolution, frame rates, and image stabilization; it is more suited for video content creation. The Redmi video is okay for casual use. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 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 | The Nubia has many advanced camera features including Optical Image Stabilization, Laser Autofocus, and the option for RAW images for advanced photo editing. |
Battery Life
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The Nubia has a larger battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life, though real usage will depend on the user. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The Nubia charges much faster, minimizing downtime. The Redmi has a more basic fast charging, but is still relatively fast. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Redmi can act as a power bank to charge other devices which is beneficial on the go; however it has slower charging capabilities compared to the Nubia. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S:
- Strengths:
- Affordability: This is clearly a budget-friendly phone that provides solid value for everyday tasks.
- Lightweight and Compact: Easy to handle, ideal for those who prefer a smaller device.
- Decent Display: The AMOLED screen offers good contrast and vibrant colors for its price range.
- Reverse Charging: A handy feature for charging other devices.
- Limitations:
- Performance: The chipset struggles with heavy apps and advanced games.
- Camera Capabilities: The main camera is high-res but suffers in low-light conditions; video recording is basic.
- Display Brightness: The display is a bit dim and may struggle in direct sunlight.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- Blazing-Fast Performance: The top-of-the-line Snapdragon chipset ensures a smooth and responsive experience.
- Exceptional Camera System: With multiple high-quality lenses, advanced features, it is a much more versatile camera for various use cases.
- Superior Display: Large, bright screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Large Battery and Fast Charging: Long battery life with speedy charging.
- High-End Construction: Gorilla Glass 5 for the screen which will withstand wear and tear much better than the Redmi.
- Limitations:
- Heavier and Larger: Less pocket-friendly due to its size and weight.
- Cost: Is a significantly more expensive phone as it's a flagship device.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is best suited for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a reliable phone for basic tasks without breaking the bank.
- Casual users: Individuals who primarily browse the web, check social media, and make calls.
- Users who prefer a lighter and smaller phone.
- Users who need reverse charging capabilities.
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra is best suited for:
- Performance enthusiasts: Gamers and power users who need the fastest processing and graphics performance.
- Photography buffs: Users who demand the most from their phone's camera system.
- Media lovers: People who enjoy watching videos and content on a large screen.
- Users who need a premium device
4. Buying Decision Framework
To make the choice easier, ask yourself these three key questions:
- What is my budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Redmi is the more obvious choice.
- What are my primary use cases? If you need top performance, the Nubia is the only option. However, for everyday use, the Redmi is sufficient.
- What is most important?
- If you need long battery life, good outdoor visibility and top performance, the Nubia wins.
- If you value a smaller and lightweight phone the Redmi is more suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Student
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S – It offers great value for everyday use, is lightweight and will fit into a pocket easier.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra – The superior performance and display make it ideal for gaming.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra – The advanced camera system offers more versatility for creative photography.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User
- Recommendation: It depends on budget; the Redmi is sufficient for everyday tasks; but the Nubia is much smoother and more responsive.
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra. As someone who values performance, image quality and having an advanced device, the Nubia offers far more advantages. The performance leap, combined with a significantly better display, camera and charging speed are hard to overlook. While it's more expensive, the investment pays off in the form of a superior user experience and longer-lasting relevance; for a tech journalist who likes taking photos and videos and reviewing phones, it's an easy pick. It's a phone I'd love to use day-in-day-out for demanding tasks and for its advanced features, whereas the Redmi will only suit a very specific use case for me personally.
