ZTE Axon 60 Ultra review
This phone suits someone who prioritizes a large, fluid display and long battery life and is comfortable with a previous-generation flagship chip. If you want the absolute latest processor, optical zoom, or a more durable build, rival flagships at the same price offer more specialization.
This review is based on ZTE’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the ZTE Axon 60 Ultra, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Axon 60 Ultra is a large, smooth-scrolling Android phone that pairs a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with generous storage and a 6000 mAh battery—a solid performer at €780, though it arrives mid-2024 when rivals have already moved on and its glass design risks chips and cracks.
Design & build
At 163.6 x 76 x 9.1 mm, the Axon 60 Ultra is a large phone that will challenge one-handed use, and the glass front and back create a premium feel that is also fragile. The aluminum frame adds rigidity, and IP68 rating means it shrugs off a dunk to 1.5 meters for half an hour, which is solid for water resistance. That said, glass is prone to cracks from even modest drops, and ZTE doesn't spec screen protection (Gorilla Glass isn't mentioned), leaving uncertainty around how well the display will hold up to pocket debris or a tumble. The weight isn't listed, but the materials and size suggest it will feel substantial in hand.
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel at 120Hz is the phone's calling card. The 1260 x 2800 resolution yields 453 ppi, which is sharp enough that text and fine detail remain crisp at normal viewing distance. Scrolling through apps and web pages is noticeably smooth compared to 60Hz panels, and AMOLED's deep blacks and color saturation make video and photos pop. The 20:9 aspect ratio is tall and narrow, typical for modern flagships, and the 89.3% screen-to-body ratio is respectable. The one gap is brightness: ZTE doesn't publish peak brightness figures, so real-world sunlight readability is unclear—a notable omission for a phone at this price.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a high-end chip that handles anything Android can throw at it: recent games run at high settings with smooth frame rates, heavy multitasking is effortless, and app launching is instant. The Adreno 740 GPU is capable, and 12GB or 16GB of RAM (depending on storage tier) ensures apps stay in memory without reload lag. Storage taps UFS 4.0, which is fast for file access and app installation. In sustained load testing, thermal throttling is possible on a hot day or during extended gaming sessions, but for typical daily use—messaging, browsing, streaming, light gaming—this chipset is overkill in the best sense. It's worth noting that the 8 Gen 2 launched in early 2023; by mid-2024, it is no longer the latest, and rivals at this price are already shipping the newer 8 Gen 3.
Software
The phone runs Android 14, which is current as of its April 2024 announcement. ZTE's Android skin is not mentioned in the specs, so it's unclear whether the Axon 60 Ultra ships with bloatware or a near-stock experience. This matters: a clean Android build will feel snappier and last longer between major OS updates, while a heavy custom layer can slow things down and clutter the home screen. Without hands-on experience, assume it falls somewhere in the middle, neither as lean as a Pixel nor as laden as some Chinese OEMs' overlays. Software update frequency from ZTE is historically conservative, so don't expect rapid security patches or timely major OS bumps.
Camera
The dual rear setup is straightforward: 50MP main with PDAF and OIS, plus a 50MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro. The main lens benefits from phase-detect autofocus and optical stabilization, which combine to deliver sharp, steady shots in most conditions and reasonable low-light performance. The ultrawide lets you fit more scene without a quality nosedive, and the macro will satisfy curiosity about small objects, though a macro lens is rarely used enough to justify its sensor slot. There is no telephoto, so zooming in on distant subjects relies on digital crop, which will trade sharpness for reach—a gap compared to flagships that include 3x or 5x optical zoom. The 32MP front camera is more than adequate for video calls and selfies. Overall, the camera is competent for general photography and video but does not stand out in this generation of flagship competition; a 200MP or 108MP sensor might sound more impressive on the spec sheet, but the Axon's dual 50MP setup is pragmatic and reflects ZTE's focus on breadth over zoom range.
Battery & charging
The 6000 mAh battery is large and should deliver around one to 1.5 days of mixed use (messaging, browsing, some video streaming). Heavy gaming or constant video streaming will eat into that, and you may find yourself hunting a charger by evening. The 80W wired charging is competent and should reach full in roughly 30 to 40 minutes from empty, though actual speed depends on power management and charger quality—fast enough to grab a quick top-up during breakfast. The spec sheet is silent on wireless charging, so assume the Axon 60 Ultra does not have it, which is a minor miss for a €780 phone in 2024. There is no mention of fast charging speed in real-world testing, so the 30–40 minute estimate is an educated guess.
Connectivity & features
The Axon 60 Ultra supports 5G (both standalone and non-standalone modes), Wi-Fi 6E, and dual Nano-SIM for simultaneous dual-carrier or work-personal separation. Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD and aptX Adaptive means solid wireless audio quality if you use high-end earbuds. NFC is present for contactless payments. A standout inclusion is dual satellite BDS support for Emergency SOS, so you can signal for help in remote areas where cellular is absent—rare in a mid-tier flagship, though seldom used in practice. The lack of a headphone jack is standard for 2024 but worth noting if you rely on wired audio. Stereo speakers add body to video and media.
Value & verdict-context
At €780, the Axon 60 Ultra is positioned as a flagship alternative in a market where the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is no longer cutting-edge (Gen 3 and 4 are now shipping). For the price, you get a large screen, dependable performance, substantial battery, and solid charging speed—enough to satisfy most users who want a fast Android phone without the Samsung or OnePlus premium. The glass build and lack of a telephoto lens are real trade-offs; screen protection specs being absent is a red flag. The Axon brand carries less weight globally than Xiaomi or OnePlus, so resale value and warranty support may be unpredictable depending on your region. If you are in a market where ZTE is well-supported and you value screen size and battery life over the absolute latest chip and zoom range, this is a reasonable buy. If you are drawn to cameras or can stretch to a newer-gen flagship, look elsewhere.
Verdict
This phone suits someone who prioritizes a large, fluid display and long battery life and is comfortable with a previous-generation flagship chip. If you want the absolute latest processor, optical zoom, or a more durable build, rival flagships at the same price offer more specialization.
- Large 6.78-inch AMOLED screen at 120Hz delivers smooth scrolling and sharp text without fatigue
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 handles heavy multitasking and games at high settings with room to spare
- 6000 mAh battery reaches a full day plus on moderate use; 80W charging is quick enough for a meaningful top-up in under an hour
- Dual 50MP cameras with OIS on both main and ultrawide reduce the need for a tripod in most daylight scenarios
- Glass front and back invite scratches and cracks; no screen protection spec listed, raising durability questions
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is high-end but one generation old by release; rivals at this price now ship Gen 3
- No telephoto lens limits zoom to digital crop; €780 usually buys optical zoom in competing flagships
ZTE Axon 60 Ultra Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF, OIS 50 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Battery | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
ZTE Axon 60 Ultra FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Axon 60 Ultra support 5G?
Yes. The Axon 60 Ultra supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Axon 60 Ultra use?
The Axon 60 Ultra runs on the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm).
What display does the Axon 60 Ultra have?
A 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density).
How big is the Axon 60 Ultra battery?
The Axon 60 Ultra has a 6000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4.
Does the Axon 60 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the Axon 60 Ultra has NFC.
Is the Axon 60 Ultra water resistant?
The Axon 60 Ultra carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the Axon 60 Ultra support a microSD card?
No, the Axon 60 Ultra does not support expandable storage.
Does the Axon 60 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Axon 60 Ultra does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Axon 60 Ultra isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
nubia Z60 Ultra Leading
Axon 40 Ultra Space Edition
nubia RedMagic 10 Air
nubia Z60S Pro
Galaxy S24 FE
