Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version Review: Power Meets Photography

Once I first heard concerning the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model, I anticipated simply one other much less well-known machine attempting to make a splash in a aggressive Android market. In any case, with telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL dominating the dialog, it takes one thing particular to face out.

However the Z60 Extremely Main Model has some secret weapons to face out: it packs a number of the most spectacular {hardware} round, paired with AI-driven options designed to raise the smartphone expertise.

On paper, this cellphone is a beast. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a cutting-edge AI engine able to 73 trillion operations per second (TOPS), and a large 6,000mAh battery make it clear that Nubia desires this to be the best-performing Android cellphone in the marketplace.

The cellphone additionally is available in a number of variants, ranging from simply £649/$649, which is a improbable value given what you’re getting – a minimum of, relating to {hardware}.

Design & Construct

• Glossy silver marble design
• Massive digicam bump is a mud magnet
• Again texture feels low cost

The Z60 Extremely Main Model’s design seems like a continuation of the Nubia’s earlier Z60 Extremely launch, and that’s the place I’m conflicted.

It retains the identical brutalist look with a large digicam bump, which isn’t solely an eyesore however a magnet for mud and particles. It additionally leads to some critical lean while you place it on a desk.

General, I’m not the largest fan of the brutalist design, however I’ll commend Nubia on releasing one thing that appears totally different. I discovered it almost not possible to suit the cellphone into any gaming controller with out awkwardly adjusting it round that bump, although.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Nevertheless, Nubia did make an effort to melt the blow with a glossy silver marble impact on some fashions. It’s a putting look, however when you contact it, the impact diminishes.

The again has a texture that feels low cost (nearly linoleum-like) and sometimes makes a refined squeaking sound when dealt with, which I discovered disagreeable. It’s a disgrace, as a result of I’ve seen Nubia do a lot better with their Redmagic telephones, just like the 9S Professional, which sport a glass again that feels genuinely premium.

Regardless of my points with the feel and digicam bump, I can’t deny that this cellphone is constructed like a tank. With IP68 water and dirt resistance, it’s able to sort out the weather.

Relatively than a devoted digicam button on the aspect, there’s a digicam change – which may be very totally different. I’m an enormous fan of this implementation, as you’ll be able to change it all the way down to launch the digicam, and again up once more to exit out. The ridged texture can also be nice to search out it with out having to take the cellphone out of your pocket.

Display & Audio system

• 6.8-inch AMOLED show with 120Hz refresh charge
• Nice outside visibility
• Stereo audio system are practical however don’t ship wealthy sound

The 6.8-inch AMOLED show is, undoubtedly, one of many Z60 Extremely Main Model’s standout options.

It’s vibrant, with over 1 billion colors on supply, and the 120Hz refresh charge retains all the pieces clean. Whether or not I’m gaming, watching movies, or simply scrolling by means of social media, the display screen handles all of it superbly. Even in vibrant daylight, the display screen’s brightness holds up, making it straightforward to make use of outside.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The stereo audio system are good, however not nice. They’re loud and clear sufficient for many conditions however don’t anticipate the wealthy sound you may get from higher-end gadgets just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. It’s practical, however not distinctive. You’re higher off listening by means of a pair of stable wi-fi earbuds, as an alternative.

Specs & Efficiency

• Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• As much as 16GB RAM and 1TB storage
• AI engine able to 73 TOPS

Efficiency is the place the Z60 Extremely Main Model shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is an absolute powerhouse, and the addition of an AI engine able to performing over 73 trillion operations per second means this cellphone can run probably the most demanding apps and video games with out breaking a sweat.

The AI engine can also be tied to the cellphone’s AI Zero energy consumption 2.0 function, which works to increase battery life even underneath heavy use.

Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model benchmarks

I used to be impressed with how snappy and responsive all the pieces felt, from multitasking to intensive gaming. Throwing open a number of apps and video games without delay, this cellphone doesn’t even start to sweat.

It lives as much as its spectacular Geekbench scores of 2225 for single-core and 6976 multi-core, respectively, that are up there with the most effective Android telephones you should buy.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The 16GB of RAM on my overview mannequin definitely didn’t damage, and the massive 1TB storage possibility ensures you’ll by no means run out of area for apps, media, or these large 4K video recordsdata. Even the bottom 8+256GB configuration must be sufficient for most individuals.

It’s fairly on par with a number of the best-performing gadgets on the market, just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, OnePlus 12, and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL. Whereas the S24 Extremely and OnePlus 12 ship comparable efficiency in real-world utilization, Nubia’s AI tech provides the Z60 Extremely Main Model an edge in battery optimization.

Cameras

• Triple rear digicam system with Sony sensors
• AI-powered post-processing considerably improves photograph high quality
• 4K video recording at 120fps

The digicam array on the Z60 Extremely Main Model is nothing wanting spectacular.

The 50Mp Sony 9-series major digicam, mixed with an 18mm ultra-wide and 85mm telephoto lens of equal megapixel rely, delivers a number of the finest images I’ve seen from a cellphone on this value vary.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Nubia has additionally addressed one of many greatest points I’ve seen others have with the earlier Z60 Extremely – the post-processing. This time round, the corporate has eased off a little bit.

Because of the AI-powered enhancements on this mannequin, I observed far fewer oversaturation and over-sharpening issues in images taken on this machine. Even at excessive zoom ranges, the photographs have been clear and detailed, an enormous enchancment from the earlier mannequin. The 4K video at as much as 120fps is stunningly clean, and with OIS on all lenses, even handheld pictures turned out superbly steady.

You’ve obtained loads of different modes to select from as properly. Portrait pictures come out trying fairly pure and sharp, though you’ll discover an absence of element while you begin to pixel peep. The evening mode is simply nearly as good as different gadgets at this value level, albeit barely let down by some processing points.

I’ve observed Nubia’s images are a little bit unrealistic with colors, and may get a little bit grainy.

Nevertheless, the digicam nonetheless requires persistence. In case you’re hoping to simply level and shoot as you’ll be able to with a Pixel, Galaxy, or iPhone, you may end up disenchanted.

The variety of settings may be overwhelming, and fast snaps don’t all the time prove as anticipated. However for photographers who love tweaking their settings, it is a dream come true.

Battery Life & Charging

• 6000mAh battery
• 50W wired charging
• No wi-fi charging

With its 6000mAh battery, I simply obtained by means of two full days of heavy use with the Z60 Extremely while not having to cost.

Nubia’s ‘AI Zero’ energy consumption tech performs an enormous position in stretching out that battery life, and the 50W quick charging (with vital charger included!) will get me again to full energy in 1 hour and eight minutes. It’s not the quickest charging you will discover, however nonetheless fairly stable.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

This can be a cellphone you’ll be able to depend on for lengthy journeys with out worrying about carrying a charger. Even while you’re doing fairly intensive duties, like watching a movie on Netflix, you don’t have to fret concerning the battery draining too rapidly. After 30 minutes of watching a 4K movie, I solely burned by means of 2% of battery, which is barely noticeable.

Sadly, this machine doesn’t help wi-fi charging. Because the again panel isn’t truly constructed from steel, I can solely assume that is because of the gigantic digicam bump (once more). It’s fairly irksome for me, as somebody that prefers to keep away from cables.

Software program & Apps

• MyOS 14 presents loads of customization
• Irritating pre-installed apps and options
• Solely two years of software program help

Now, onto the largest downside—the software program. MyOS 14 (based mostly on Android 14) seems to be nice at first look, with loads of customization choices and flashy results. However the extra I used it, the extra annoyed I grew to become.

There’s an inconsistency within the UI that makes all the pieces really feel disjointed, whereas the pre-installed apps just like the default browser are borderline unusable. I additionally discovered myself irritated by small issues, just like the Nubia branding that will get watermarked on each photograph except you disable it.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

To make issues worse, the Z60 Extremely Main Model solely presents three years of software program help (each OS and safety updates).

When the similarly-priced Galaxy S24 FE and extra inexpensive Pixel 8a each get you seven years, it’s onerous to justify sticking with Nubia in the long term. Even when the {hardware} is top-notch.

Worth & Availability

Beginning at simply £649/$649, the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model is a improbable deal, particularly contemplating the powerhouse specs.

Even the top-spec mannequin I examined with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is first rate worth at £929/$879.

You should buy one from the Nubia web site and Amazon within the UK, or Nubia and Amazon within the US.

Nevertheless, the cellphone isn’t in the stores on contract, so that you’ll must get it outright and pair it with a SIM deal. Use the widget beneath to search out an possibility that fits you.

The outright value reveals you may get a top-tier cellphone for a lot lower than a Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely or Google Pixel 9 Professional, however with some caveats. In case you can tolerate the software program points and don’t thoughts tinkering with digicam settings, this is without doubt one of the finest worth flagship telephones on the market.

Do you have to purchase the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model?

There’s no denying that the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model is a powerhouse of a smartphone.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, spectacular AI digicam enhancements, and big 6,000mAh battery make it a best choice for energy customers. Nevertheless it’s removed from good.

The MyOS 14 software program feels half-baked, and the design, whereas putting, has sensible flaws. Nonetheless, in case you’re after uncooked efficiency and don’t thoughts sacrificing some software program polish, the Z60 Extremely presents lots of bang in your buck.

Specs

• Android 14 with MyOS 14
• 6.8-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED 
• Optical in-display fingerprint scanner 
• Face unlock 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset 
• 8/12/16GB RAM 
• 256GB/512GB/1TB non-expandable UFS 4.0 storage 
• 6000mah battery 
• 80W wired charging  
• 50Mp f/1.6 major digicam 
• 50Mp f/1.8 ultrawide digicam 
• 64Mp f/3.3 3.3x telephoto digicam 
• 12Mp under-display entrance digicam 
• Twin stereo audio system 
• USB-C 3.1
• 5G 
• Twin-SIM
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4
• IP68
• 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm
• 246g