Nubia Z60 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8: A Clash of Android Titans

The Z60 Ultra Leading Version is Nubia's best phone yet

The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version is the company's latest flagship smartphone, replacing the Nubia Z60 Ultra we reviewed at the beginning of 2024. The only significant change is the switch to an overclocked version of the Snapdragon chipset, which solves our biggest problem with the previous model. Nubia tends to remove its phones from the market shortly after a newer model is available, so you don't need to worry about which model is best for you. However, even though the Z60 Ultra Leading Version is $50 more than its predecessor, I think this is one the most worthwhile upgrades we've seen from Nubia in years. Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version 7.5/ 10 The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version might not look like a significant upgrade on the surface, but the overclocked Snapdragon chipset powers AI tools that let you take fantastic photos with ease. While it is $50 more, the results make the price increase worth it. ProsPremium feelThe most affordable way to get the latest mobile hardwareCameras are capable of taking fantastic shots ConsSoftware is rough around the edgesCameras aren't beginner-friendlyPoor software support $650 at Nubia Price, availability, and connectivity The Z60 Ultra Leading Version is available in four models. The cheapest option costs $650 and has 8GB RAM and 256G storage. The most expensive is $880, with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Strangely, the cheapest and most expensive models are only available in black. If you want the stylish silver marbling effect seen in our review, you'll need to plump for the 12 + 256GB ($699) or 16 + 512GB model ($779) I reviewed the phone in central England, an area not renowned for its connectivity. Nevertheless, I could stream music, make calls, and receive timely notifications without issues. US users should note that the Z60 Ultra Leading Version does not support all major US bands, so your experience may vary. Specifications SoC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version Display type OLED, 120Hz Display dimensions 6.8-inches Display resolution 1116 x 2480 RAM 12GB, 16GB, 24GB LPDDR5X Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Battery 6000mAh Charge speed 80W wired Charge options Wired Ports USB-C SIM support Dual Sim (Nano SIM and eSIM) Operating System Android 14 Front camera 12MP, f/2.0 Rear camera 50 MP, f/1.6, 35mm main; 64MP, f/3.3, 85mm telephoto; 50MP, f/1.8, 18mm, ultrawide Cellular connectivity 5G Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4 Dimensions 164 x 76.4, 8.8mm Weight 245g IP Rating IP 68 Colors Black, Silver Expand What I like about the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version The AI upgrades are genuinely useful It's hard to describe what I like about the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version design without lifting words directly from my Z60 Ultra review. The phone's design is mostly unchanged, which I have mixed feelings about. While an eye-catcher, the camera bump is still too big, making the phone a nightmare for snap-in gaming controllers and providing a haven for dust to collect. Nevertheless, the new silver effect looks fantastic, doing much to soften the brutalist effect of the Z60 Ultra. While the silver marble effect on the Z60 Ultra LV came with its own caveats (which I'll touch on later), it looks much better than its predecessor. I won't waste time repeating everything I said about the Z60 Ultra. Instead, I want to discuss the only major improvement: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version chipset. This chipset comes with various AI tools, which Nubia claimed would alleviate the problems I had with the Z60 Ultra's cameras, namely that the phone's post-processing algorithms resulted in blurry, oversaturated photos. Related Nubia Z60 Ultra review: Exciting on paper The Nubia Z60 Ultra struggles to live up to its impressive hardware Thankfully, the change is noticeable. Below are pictures taken with the Z60 Ultra and Z60 Ultra LV at 1x and 30x, respectively. The Z60 Ultra LV, despite having the same cameras, produces better quality results thanks to its post-processing capabilities, which is especially noticeable when you zoom in to take a picture. The last picture is at 50x zoom on the Z60 Ultra LV, which looks to result in pictures roughly the same quality as the Z60 Ultra's 30x zoom. Close The improvements to the post-processing don't stop at the telescopic zoom. Overall, the Z60 Ultra LV produced images that avoided the oversharpened and oversaturation problems that plagued its predecessor. If you're looking for a phone to take on a photography trip, the Z60 Ultra LV is the perfect choice. Not only will it take photos you will be proud of, but the 6,000mAh battery will last you all day and more. In my testing, I was able to go two full days using the phone without needing to top it up, even when uploading photos over my data connection. Close What I didn't like about the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version MyOS is still frustrating to use If you buy a Z60 Ultra Leading Version, I recommend installing a third-party launcher from the Play Store. All of these are better than the MyOS launcher on the Z60 Ultra LV, which is great at first impressions but soon becomes a frustrating experience. Undoubtedly, MyOS14 has more customization options than any other Android software layer. I've been using MyOS on and off since I reviewed the Z60 Ultra in January 2024, and the more I use it, the less impressed I am. UI elements feel inconsistent, customization options prioritize flashy effects over usability, and the default browser is borderline unusable. There are also frustrating features like the watermark with Nubia branding applied by default to all your photos and inaccurate English translations. None of these points are dealbreakers in and of themselves, but the result is a frustrating mess compounded by the bugs and a measly two years of software support. Close Despite the AI improvements, the Z60 LV still lacks the ease of use we like to see in a smartphone camera. If you're patient and spend time adjusting the camera settings for each shot, you will produce fantastic photos. However, for quick snaps, I found many of my pictures didn't turn out the way I liked. Beginner photographers may also be overwhelmed by the number of camera options the Z60 Ultra LV throws at you; it's entirely unnecessary for holiday snaps or selfies for Instagram. On the hardware side, while the silver marble effect is eye-catching, its premium look falls apart when touched. It has the same texture as linoleum; rubbing your fingers against it produces a similar squeaky sound. This is subtly unpleasant, and while I would recommend a case anyway for a phone that's this easy to drop, it's still disappointing when the Redmagic phones, like the 9S Pro , come with a sleek glass back. A similar effect would have gone a long way here. Should you buy it? While I'm happy to report that Nubia has ironed out the camera issues that plagued the Z60 Ultra, the phone's frustrating software makes it hard to recommend it over other midrange Android phones. For example, the Pixel 8 is just $50 more and offers five more years of software support for an OS that's much more enjoyable to use. Plus, Google's stellar post-processing means you'll capture better pictures anyway, even if it doesn't have a telescopic lens. If you value processing power and high-quality photos over your user experience, the Z60 Ultra is an excellent phone. You get a lot for your money here, but don't expect a smooth ride. Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version 7.5/ 10 The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version is a distinct upgrade from its predecessor. While the software is still frustrating to use, the overclocked Snapdragon chip gives the phone's cameras the post-processing boost they need. $650 at Nubia Related Best budget Android phones in 2024 Smartphones with real value

Google's Pixel 8 is the real star of its Android lineup - and now it's $200 off

Compared to similarly priced phones, like the Nothing Phone 2, the Pixel 8 is a far better value. The Google Pixel 8 Pro might be getting all the attention nowadays (especially since it's the first handset to gain access to Google's new Gemini AI model), but the standard Pixel 8 might be the real MVP of Google's lineup this year. Also: I compared the Google Pixel 8a with every major sub-$500 Android phone - here's my buying advice That's because the Pixel 8 offers one of the best combinations of specs, features, and premium design at a price considerably lower than the competition. What's more, ever since Amazon Prime Day, Pixel 8 deals have been hovering around $499. At that price, the Pixel 8 is not only difficult to ignore, but perhaps the only phone you should be thinking of if you're shopping on a budget. You won't find another phone like it under $500, and it's only when you sift through the $800-$1,000 options that you find commendable competition. A big reason why this is such a compelling option is the Tensor G3 chip, Google's latest in-house processor that powers all of the Pixel 8's AI and machine learning features. It's not just a solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 alternative, but a monumental reason why the Pixel 8 is such a great phone. Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future The chip powers all the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices in the Recorder app to letting you edit photos to your heart's content with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant also takes advantage of the G3 to process your voice quicker and even summarize web pages for quickly consuming information. Alongside powering Google's HDR pipeline for photography, ensuring Android 14 is slick and smooth, the G3 is one of the most capable smartphone chips on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you'll never have a slow day. The display is another huge reason to get this phone. The Pixel 8's 6.2-inch Actua display is a bit smaller than the screen on the Pixel 7, but that makes it easier to hold in one hand. It's also stunning to look at; with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, it's one of the brightest and clearest displays on the market. Plus, it's OLED, so colors are vibrant and inky blacks are plentiful. Also: Look beyond the display and you'll find a good-looking phone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. Featuring Google's signature camera bar on the back and thin bezels around the display, the Pixel 8 is a stunner among other sub-$700 phones. It's also IP68-certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes in three nice finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda green), and Rose (more of a golden peach, in my opinion). When it comes to Pixel phones, there are two areas you have to talk about: cameras and software. On the camera front, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP main shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are both excellent performers in broad daylight and at night. The cameras easily match or outpace what you'd get with an iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of clarity, detail, and sharpness, while colors are often far more accurate than they ever have been on a Pixel phone. Also: Google just added a big feature to the Pixel camera, and two more could be on the way You also get all of the camera chops that the Pixel name carries like astrophotography, Super ResZoom, dual exposure controls, and Ultra HDR. That's on top of other features like Best Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the smartest you'll find. Plus, video quality has been vastly improved over previous Pixels -- it's flat-out comparable to the iPhone. On the software side, Google's Pixel experience atop Android 14 remains my favorite way to interact with Android. It's clean, minimal, and gives you a warm, inviting feeling that no other Android skin can mimic. You get all the features of Android 14 like customizable lock screens, better security, larger fonts, and improved notifications, along with all of the Pixel features you could ask for, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Direct My Call, AI-generated wallpapers, and --of course --the Pixel Launcher. But the real kicker in the software department is Google's extended support. The company is guaranteeing seven full years of software support, which means you'll get updates until 2030 if you buy this phone. That's unheard of for an Android phone, and it gives devices like the iPhone a run for their money. Also: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which model should you buy? The Pixel 8 can also last all day on a charge thanks to the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy usage, I typically end days with 30-40 percent in the tank, which means anyone using the phone a bit less could stretch it out to last a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W fast charging to juice back up as well as Qi wireless charging. So, what are the downsides? Honestly, there aren't a lot. The Pixel 8 still gets pretty warm after using it for a while, but that's typical with Google's Tensor processors. I also wish there was a proper telephoto camera on the back; Super Res Zoom is handy for upscaling digitally zoomed photos, but it can only take you so far. Oh, and I still don't trust Face Unlock; Google lets you use it to pay for things now using Google Pay, but it still relies on a flat image of your face to authenticate you. You're not going to find a much better value than the Pixel 8. From the gorgeous display and design to the speedy performance and amazing cameras, Google's standard flagship phone stands on its own with an impeccable balance of high-end features for a lower price than other flagships. Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far With its sale price of $499, the closest competition happens to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Phone (2), two devices that are perfectly worthy of a spot in your pocket but don't offer the same value as the Pixel 8. Google's phone is a proper flagship with seven years of software support, the latest AI features, and the company's latest camera tricks. The Phone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that balance specs and price well, but don't feel as high-end as the Pixel does. Anyone shopping for an Android phone under $600 -- let alone under $700 -- should look to the Pixel 8. The value is simply incredible, and it's by far one of the best phones of the year.