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Nubia Z60S Pro : In a smartphone world dominated by iterative upgrades and skyrocketing prices, Nubia is taking a bold step with the Nubia Z60S Pro. Instead of chasing the latest and greatest specifications, Nubia has opted for a “best of the past” approach—offering last year’s flagship chipset in a premium device with no major compromises, all at a highly competitive price. What’s more, the Nubia Z60S Pro is one of the few Nubia phones to launch globally, making it accessible to a broader audience.
But what exactly makes the Z60S Pro stand out? And does it have what it takes to challenge the competition? Let’s take an in-depth look at this intriguing device.
Design: Familiar Yet Polished
The Nubia Z60S Pro adopts a design language that’s familiar to anyone who has followed Nubia’s flagship series. It features a boxy shape, glass back, and metal frame, giving it a premium look and feel. However, the boxy design may not appeal to everyone, as it can feel bulky during extended use.
Key Design Features:
- Materials: Metal frame and glass back for a flagship feel.
- Dimensions: 8.7mm thick and weighs over 220g.
- Color Options: Aqua Blue, Black, and White.
- Dedicated Toggle Switch: Located on the side, this mappable switch can be used to launch apps like the camera, Game Space, or satellite communication (limited to China).
- Textured Power Button: A thoughtful addition for enhanced grip.
While the boxy design may lack ergonomic appeal, it does add to the device’s solid, premium build. And small touches, like the textured power key and well-designed packaging (complete with a hard-shell case, screen protector, and an 80W charger), make the overall experience feel well-thought-out.
Display: A Visual Treat
The 6.8-inch AMOLED display on the Nubia Z60S Pro is one of its standout features. While it doesn’t boast cutting-edge under-display camera technology like Nubia’s flagship models, its punch-hole camera delivers better selfie quality, which many users will appreciate.
Display Specifications:
- Resolution: 1.5K (452 PPI), ensuring crisp visuals.
- Brightness: Peaks at 1100 nits, offering good visibility outdoors.
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations.
- Color Accuracy: Covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, providing natural and vibrant colors.
The stereo speakers further enhance the device’s media experience, delivering clear and immersive sound. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or browsing, the Nubia Z60S Pro’s display and audio setup make it a joy to use.
Performance: Last Year’s Power, Refined
At its core, the Nubia Z60S Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a chipset that, despite being last year’s flagship, still offers stellar performance. This approach allows Nubia to deliver a high-performance device at a fraction of the cost of current-gen flagships.
Hardware Highlights:
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, known for its balance of performance and efficiency.
- RAM: Available in 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB LPDDR5X configurations.
- Storage: Options range from 256GB to 1TB of UFS 4.0.
- Battery: A 5100mAh battery ensures solid all-day usage.
Thanks to its mature chipset and efficient cooling system, the Z60S Pro handles gaming and multitasking with ease. It retains 83% of its peak performance during extended stress tests, making it a reliable performer for intensive tasks.
Gaming: Surprisingly Capable
Although the Nubia Z60S Pro isn’t marketed as a gaming phone, its performance and features make it a strong contender in this category. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, combined with Nubia’s customized game tools, ensures a seamless gaming experience.
Gaming Highlights:
- Game Tools: Offers features like screen recording, notification blocking, and performance tuning.
- Cooling System: Prevents overheating during long gaming sessions.
- Battery Life: The 5100mAh battery ensures you can game for hours without worrying about recharging.
Whether you’re emulating older console games or playing the latest mobile titles, the Z60S Pro delivers consistent and smooth performance.
Cameras: Versatile and Transparent
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Nubia Z60S Pro is Nubia’s transparency about its camera hardware. Unlike many brands that shy away from listing specific sensor details, Nubia openly provides this information.
Camera Specifications:
- Primary Camera:
- Sony IMX 906 sensor (50MP).
- Large 1/1.56-inch sensor with an f/1.6 aperture.
- 35mm equivalent focal length for natural, shallow depth-of-field effects.
- Ultra-Wide Camera:
- Autofocus support for macro shots as close as 2.5cm.
- Telephoto Camera:
- 8MP sensor with an 80mm equivalent lens (3.5x optical zoom).
Image Quality:
- Daylight: Captures vibrant colors and fine details.
- Low Light: Handles noise well but struggles slightly with highlight control.
While the primary camera performs well in most conditions, the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses offer added versatility for creative photography.
Video Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Nubia Z60S Pro supports 8K video recording, which is a standout feature at this price point. However, its 4K 60fps footage suffers from shaky electronic image stabilization (EIS), making it less reliable for casual videographers.
Software: Smooth but Lacking Transparency
The Z60S Pro runs on Android 14 with Nubia’s MyOS on top. The software is smooth and customizable, offering options for themes, fingerprint animations, and always-on display functionality.
However, Nubia’s lack of clarity regarding software updates is a concern. Unlike the Z60 Ultra, which promised three years of updates, no such commitment has been made for the Z60S Pro. This could deter users who prioritize long-term software support.
Pricing: Where the Z60S Pro Shines
The true appeal of the Z60S Pro lies in its pricing. In China, the device starts at just ¥2,999 (~$425 USD), making it one of the most affordable phones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Even with a 20% price increase in global markets, it remains an excellent value proposition.
For its price, the Z60S Pro offers a level of performance and build quality that’s hard to match.
Verdict: A Value Champion
The Nubia Z60S Pro is a testament to how brands can innovate by repurposing last-gen flagship hardware. By focusing on delivering real-world value rather than chasing bleeding-edge specs, Nubia has created a device that appeals to a wide range of users.
Strengths:
- Premium build and thoughtful design elements.
- Excellent display and stereo speakers.
- Flagship-level performance at a mid-range price.
- Transparent camera specifications with versatile features.
Weaknesses:
- Video stabilization needs improvement.
- Lack of clarity about software updates.
- Boxy design affects ergonomics.
For users seeking a powerful, feature-rich smartphone without spending a fortune, the Z60S Pro is an outstanding choice. However, Nubia needs to address concerns around software support and video performance to make this device even more appealing.
Would you like to see the Nubia Z60S Pro launch in more markets, or do its drawbacks make it a deal-breaker? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
