The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Edition is the company’s latest flagship smartphone, replacing the Nubia Z60 Ultra that we reviewed in early 2024. The only major change is the switch to an overclocked version of the Snapdragon chipset, which solves our biggest issue with the previous model.
Nubia typically discontinues its phones shortly after releasing a newer model, so you don’t have to worry about which model is best for you. Although the Z60 Ultra Top Edition costs $50 more than its predecessor, I think it’s one of the most worthwhile upgrades we’ve seen from Nubia in years.
Nubia Z60 Ultra – First Version
The Nubia Z60 Ultra Top Edition may not look like a significant upgrade at first glance, but the overclocked Snapdragon chipset powers AI tools that let you take amazing photos with ease. It may cost $50 more, but the results are worth the price increase.
- First-class feeling
- The cheapest way to get the latest mobile hardware
- Cameras can take fantastic pictures
- Software has some rough edges
- Cameras are not beginner-friendly
- Poor software support
Price, availability and connectivity
The Z60 Ultra Top Edition comes in four models. The cheapest option costs $650 and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The most expensive costs $880 and offers 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Oddly, the cheapest and most expensive models are only available in black. If you want the stylish silver marbling effect we saw in our review, you’ll have to opt for the 12+256GB ($699) or 16+512GB ($779) model.
I tested the phone in central England, an area not exactly known for its connectivity. Despite this, I was able to stream music, make calls, and receive timely notifications without any issues. US users should note that the Z60 Ultra Top Edition does not support all major US bands, so your experience may vary.
What I like about the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Edition
The AI upgrades are really useful
It is difficult to describe what I like about the design of the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Edition without words straight from my Z60Ultra Review. The design of the phone is mostly unchanged, which I have mixed feelings about. While it’s a looker, the camera bulge is still too large, making the phone a nightmare for snapping gaming controllers and offering a cloud of dust. That said, the new silver effect looks fantastic and does a lot to soften the brutalist effect of the Z60 Ultra. Although the silver marble effect on the Z60 Ultra LV came with its own limitations (which I’ll get into later), it looks a lot better than its predecessor.
I won’t waste time repeating everything I said about the Z60 Ultra. Instead, I want to discuss the one major improvement: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version chipset. This chipset features various AI tools that Nubia claimed would alleviate the issues I had with the Z60 Ultra’s cameras, namely that the phone’s post-processing algorithms resulted in blurry, oversaturated photos.
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Thankfully, the change is noticeable. Below are images taken with the Z60 Ultra and Z60 Ultra LV at 1x and 30x respectively. Despite being the same cameras, the Z60 Ultra LV produces better quality results thanks to its post-processing features, which is especially noticeable when you zoom in to take a picture. The last image was taken at 50x zoom on the Z60 Ultra LV, which seems to produce images of about the same quality as the 30x zoom on the Z60 Ultra.
The post-processing improvements aren’t just limited to the telescopic zoom. Overall, the Z60 Ultra LV produced images that avoided the oversharpening and oversaturation issues 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 does it take photos you’ll be proud of, but the 6,000mAh battery will last all day and longer. In my testing, I was able to use the phone for two full days without needing to charge it, even when uploading photos over my data connection.
What I didn’t like about the Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Edition
MyOS is still frustrating to use
If you buy a Z60 Ultra leading version, I recommend you to install 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 glance but soon becomes a frustrating experience.
Hands down, MyOS14 offers 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. The UI elements feel inconsistent, the customization options prioritize flashy effects over usability, and the default browser is nearly unusable. There are also frustrating features like the Nubia-branded watermark applied to all your photos by default and inaccurate English translations. None of these points are dealbreakers in and of themselves, but the result is a frustrating mess made worse by the bugs and a measly two years of software support.
Despite the AI improvements, the Z60 LV still lacks the ease of use we expect from a smartphone camera. If you’re patient and take the time to adjust the camera settings for each shot, you’ll get fantastic photos. However, when taking quick snaps, I found that many of my images didn’t turn out the way I wanted. Beginners in photography might also be overwhelmed by the number of camera options offered by the Z60 Ultra LV; for vacation snaps or selfies for Instagram, it’s completely unnecessary.
On the hardware side, the silver marble effect is eye-catching, but its premium look falls apart when touched. It has the same texture as linoleum; rubbing your fingers against it makes a similar squeaking noise. It’s subtly unpleasant, and while I’d recommend a case for a phone that drops so easily anyway, it’s still disappointing when Redmagic phones like the 9S Pro have a smooth glass back. A similar effect would have been very helpful here.
Should you buy it?
While I’m happy to report that Nubia has fixed the Z60 Ultra’s camera issues, the phone’s frustrating software makes it hard to recommend it over other mid-range Android phones. The Pixel 8, for example, costs just $50 more and offers five more years of software support for an operating system that’s much more enjoyable to use. Plus, Google’s excellent post-processing means you’ll still take better pictures even if it doesn’t have a telescopic lens.
If you value processing power and high-quality photos more than the 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 – First Release
The top-of-the-line Nubia Z60 Ultra is a significant upgrade over 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.
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