Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version review: Where power meets photography

Once I first heard in regards to the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model, I anticipated simply one other much less well-known system attempting to make a splash in a aggressive Android market. In spite of everything, 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 telephone 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 telephone in the marketplace.

The telephone additionally is available in a number of variants, ranging from simply £649/$649, which is a implausible value given what you’re getting – not less than, in the case of {hardware}.

Design & Construct

• Modern silver marble design
• Giant 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 ends in some critical lean once you place it on a desk.

Total, 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 practically unimaginable to suit the telephone into any gaming controller with out awkwardly adjusting it round that bump, although.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Nonetheless, Nubia did make an effort to melt the blow with a smooth 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 (virtually linoleum-like) and sometimes makes a delicate 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 telephone is constructed like a tank. With IP68 water and mud resistance, it’s able to sort out the weather.

Relatively than a devoted digicam button on the aspect, there’s a digicam swap – which could be very totally different. I’m an enormous fan of this implementation, as you’ll be able to swap it right 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 telephone out of your pocket.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.8-inch AMOLED show with 120Hz refresh price
• Nice out of doors visibility
• Stereo audio system are purposeful 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 price retains all the things clean. Whether or not I’m gaming, watching movies, or simply scrolling by 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 units just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. It’s purposeful, however not distinctive. You’re higher off listening by 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 telephone can run essentially the most demanding apps and video games with out breaking a sweat.

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

Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model

I used to be impressed with how snappy and responsive all the things felt, from multitasking to intensive gaming. Throwing open a number of apps and video games without delay, this telephone 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 evaluation mannequin actually didn’t harm, and the massive 1TB storage choice ensures you’ll by no means run out of house for apps, media, or these huge 4K video recordsdata. Even the bottom 8+256GB configuration needs to be sufficient for most individuals.

It’s fairly on par with a number of the best-performing units 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 related 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 picture 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 foremost digicam, mixed with an 18mm ultra-wide and 85mm telephoto lens of equal megapixel rely, delivers a number of the greatest pictures I’ve seen from a telephone 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 slightly.

Because of the AI-powered enhancements on this mannequin, I seen far fewer oversaturation and over-sharpening issues in pictures taken on this system. Even at excessive zoom ranges, the pictures had 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 secure.

You’ve obtained loads of different modes to select from as effectively. Portrait pictures come out trying fairly pure and sharp, though you’ll discover a scarcity of element once you begin to pixel peep. The night time mode is simply nearly as good as different units at this value level, albeit barely let down by some processing points.

I’ve seen Nubia’s pictures are slightly unrealistic with colors, and may get slightly grainy.

Nonetheless, the digicam nonetheless requires endurance. If you happen to’re hoping to only level and shoot as you’ll be able to with a Pixel, Galaxy, or iPhone, you may end up disenchanted.

The variety of settings will be overwhelming, and fast snaps don’t at all times 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 two full days of heavy use with the Z60 Extremely with no need to cost.

Nubia’s ‘AI Zero’ energy consumption tech performs an enormous function 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 yow will discover, however nonetheless fairly stable.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

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

Sadly, this system doesn’t help wi-fi charging. For the reason that again panel isn’t really constructed from steel, I can solely assume that is as a result of 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 gives loads of customization
• Irritating pre-installed apps and options
• Solely two years of software program help

Now, onto the largest disadvantage—the software program. MyOS 14 (primarily based on Android 14) appears 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 things really feel disjointed, whereas the pre-installed apps just like the default browser are borderline unusable. I additionally discovered myself aggravated by small issues, just like the Nubia branding that will get watermarked on each picture except you disable it.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

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

When the similarly-priced Galaxy S24 FE and extra reasonably priced 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.

Value & Availability

Beginning at simply £649/$649, the Nubia Z60 Extremely Main Model is a implausible 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.

Nonetheless, the telephone isn’t in the stores on contract, so that you’ll have to get it outright and pair it with a SIM deal. Use the widget beneath to search out an choice that fits you.

The outright value exhibits you will get a top-tier telephone for a lot lower than a Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely or Google Pixel 9 Professional, however with some caveats. If you happen to can tolerate the software program points and don’t thoughts tinkering with digicam settings, this is without doubt one of the greatest 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. But it surely’s removed from good.

The MyOS 14 software program feels half-baked, and the design, whereas putting, has sensible flaws. Nonetheless, when you’re after uncooked efficiency and don’t thoughts sacrificing some software program polish, the Z60 Extremely gives quite a lot of bang to 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 foremost 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