ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading review
This phone suits someone who prioritizes a bright screen, gaming performance, and zoom photography and is willing to accept ZTE as a less recognizable brand. If you're in Europe or North America and want confidence in support and resale value, look at Samsung or OnePlus first; they cost as much and give you more peace of mind.
This review is based on ZTE’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading, 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 ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading packs flagship silicon, a 1500-nit AMOLED screen, and a solid 3x periscope zoom into a phone that lands near the €730 mark. It delivers for gaming and photography but doesn't distinguish itself enough in software or overall refinement to justify its price over more established flagships in the same bracket.
Design and build
At 246g and 8.8mm thick, this is a solid, pocketable flagship. The glass front and back with an aluminum frame is standard for the year, and it handles day-to-day bumps without issue. IP68 dust and water resistance to 1.5m for 30 minutes is expected for anything at this price. The finish is clean in both Black and Silver, though glass still scratches easily and demands a case if you want it to stay pristine. Weight and thickness are fair for the 6.8-inch footprint and the battery size underneath.
Display
The 6.8-inch AMOLED at 1116 x 2480 (20:9 aspect) delivers sharp text and colors at 400 ppi, and the 120Hz refresh is smooth enough that scrolling feels natural. The real strength is brightness: 1500 nits peak is genuinely useful in sunlight, letting you read emails or maps without dropping into shade or ramping up system contrast. HDR10 support is there for video, though the narrow 20:9 ratio will letterbox a lot of content from the web and streaming services. For a 2024 flagship at this price, the display is one of the few areas where ZTE hasn't cut corners.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 handles everything thrown at it. Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and heavy multitasking run at high settings without frame drops or thermal throttling. The Adreno 750 GPU keeps pace with rivals using the same silicon, and the 12-16GB RAM configurations handle dozens of apps in memory. AnTuTu scores around 1.82 million, which is flagship-class. Day-to-day responsiveness is snappy, and there's no lag opening apps or switching tasks. This is not where you make compromises: the chip is current-generation and capable.
Software
Android 14 with MyOS 14 (or MyOS 14.5 in China) runs a fairly clean interface with minimal bloat. ZTE's overlay is light compared to Samsung or OnePlus, which is a plus for speed and simplicity. The downside is update longevity and regional inconsistency. Outside Asia, warranty support and OS updates are less certain, and ZTE's track record for keeping phones current beyond 2-3 years is weaker than Samsung, Apple, or even OnePlus. If you're in Europe or North America, factor in that you may not get the full lifecycle support a €730 phone deserves.
Camera
The rear setup is a 50MP f/1.6 main (35mm, OIS), 64MP 3.3x periscope telephoto (f/3.3, OIS), and 50MP ultrawide (f/1.8, 18mm, 100°). In good light, the main sensor captures fine detail and accurate color. The periscope zoom is the standout: 3.3x optical zoom with stabilization means you can shoot wildlife or distant sports without resorting to digital crop, a feature rivals at €700 often skip. The ultrawide is serviceable for landscapes and group shots, though the 50MP promise doesn't translate into sharper edges than rival 48MP ultrawidows. Video goes up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps with HDR10, which is solid. In low light, the main camera holds its own, but doesn't outshoot Samsung or Google in dynamic range or shadow recovery. The 12MP under-display selfie is functional and unremarkable.
Battery and charging
The 6000 mAh capacity is generous and lasts a full day even with moderate gaming, video, or heavy social media use. Moderate use (messaging, browsing, social apps) pushes it to 36-48 hours. The 80W wired charge reaches full in roughly 30-45 minutes from empty, which is fast enough for a top-up before heading out. However, 80W is no longer a headline feature at €730: many rivals now ship 100W or higher, and the absence of wireless charging (a feature some flagships in the bracket include) is a missed convenience.
Value and verdict
At around €730, the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading is a solidly engineered flagship with a bright screen, zero-compromise performance, and a useful zoom camera. It doesn't stumble, but it doesn't leap ahead either. The same money buys you a Samsung Galaxy S24+ with more refined software and longer support, or an OnePlus 12 with faster charging and better brand recognition in Europe. ZTE's weaker market footprint, uncertain OS longevity, and ordinary main camera hold it back from being an obvious choice over more established brands. For buyers in Asia who trust ZTE's ecosystem or value the telephoto zoom highly, it makes sense. Elsewhere, you're paying flagship price for a phone with mid-tier brand security.
Verdict
This phone suits someone who prioritizes a bright screen, gaming performance, and zoom photography and is willing to accept ZTE as a less recognizable brand. If you're in Europe or North America and want confidence in support and resale value, look at Samsung or OnePlus first; they cost as much and give you more peace of mind.
- Exceptional screen brightness (1500 nits peak) makes outdoor visibility effortless, and the 120Hz AMOLED is smooth in everyday scrolling and gaming
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 runs demanding games at high settings without throttling and handles multitasking with zero lag
- 3.3x periscope telephoto with optical stabilization is a genuine advantage for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects that most rivals in this price tier lack
- 6000 mAh battery with 80W charging gets you through a full day of heavy use and recharges in under 45 minutes
- 80W charging is now ordinary at this price; rivals have moved to 100W or beyond, making this feel dated for the cost
- ZTE's market presence and software support remain a concern outside Asia, and resale value on international markets is weak
- The 50MP main camera, while solid, doesn't stand out in processing or detail against direct competitors like Samsung or OnePlus flagships at the same price
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, July 23 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm (standard), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.3, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom (vs. 26mm cam) 50 MP, f/1.8, 18mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, under display |
| Battery | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Software | Android 14, MyOS 14 (International), MyOS 14.5 (China) |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 246 g (8.68 oz) |
| 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 (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
ZTE nubia Z60 Ultra Leading FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading support 5G?
Yes. The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading use?
The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading runs on the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading have?
A 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak), 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density).
How big is the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading battery?
The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading has a 6000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4.
Does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading have NFC?
Yes, the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading has NFC.
Is the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading water resistant?
The nubia Z60 Ultra Leading carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading support a microSD card?
No, the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading does not support expandable storage.
Does the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading have a headphone jack?
No, the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the nubia Z60 Ultra Leading isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
nubia Z80 Ultra
nubia Z70 Ultra
Axon 60 Ultra
nubia Z70S Ultra
Galaxy S24+
