A new Android phone just gave the Galaxy S24 Ultra some tough competition

This year’s flagship from Samsung, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, has garnered high praise, with Digital Trends describing it as “the best Ultra ever, and a must-buy.” However, Samsung faces competition from ZTE’s sub-brand Nubia, which has introduced the Nubia Z60 Ultra “Leading Version” and the more budget-friendly Z60S Pro. Both models aim to challenge Samsung’s dominance in the high-end smartphone market.

The name might be unusual, but this phone offers impressive specs at a competitive price, posing a serious challenge to Samsung in the Chinese market. It features a 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, matching the size of the S24 Ultra’s screen, though its resolution is lower at 1440p.

The phone boasts an impressive 16-megapixel selfie camera cleverly hidden under the screen, a premium feature often missing from more affordable models. The rear camera setup is equally noteworthy, featuring a triple array: a 50MP Sony IMX800 primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, and a 64MP periscope zoom lens. This configuration compares favorably on paper with the S24 Ultra’s camera system, which includes a 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP and 50MP telephoto zoom lenses, despite the S24 Ultra having an additional sensor.

Nubia is embracing the AI trend with the introduction of its “NeoVision AI” processing for the camera system, as part of its “AI+” product strategy. This technology aims to enhance user experience by leveraging AI to improve image quality. The Leading Version, equipped with this feature, is designed to outperform the standard Z60 Ultra in terms of photography. Similar to Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Apple’s Intelligence features, Nubia’s AI enhancement promises superior image results through advanced processing techniques.

The Nubia Z60 Ultra features a customized “Leading Version” of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, identical to the one found in the S24 Ultra. This powerful chipset boasts enhanced clock speeds, with the Cortex-X4 CPU reaching up to 3.4 GHz and the GPU hitting 1 GHz. Users can choose from configurations of 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB RAM, paired with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The device is equipped with a substantial 6,000mAh battery that supports 80-watt wired fast charging. Additionally, the Nubia Z60 Ultra is designed to withstand the elements, offering IP68-rated water and dust resistance.

The Z60S Pro, though a step down from its flagship counterpart, is still a powerful device with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a hefty 1TB of internal storage. This combination ensures impressive performance, comparable to last year’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Despite its smaller 5,100mAh battery, it surpasses the battery capacity of the upcoming S24 Ultra and supports fast 80W wired charging.

Price is a major highlight here. The Z60 Ultra Leading Version is attractively priced at $649, and the Z60S Pro is available for $569. This is significantly more affordable compared to the S24 Ultra, which starts at $1,300. Both phones are currently available for preorder, with a global launch set for August 12. However, it’s unlikely they will be available in the U.S. market.