Nubia Z60S Pro Review: Performance and Features
Discover the Nubia Z60S Pro: a powerful smartphone with a stunning camera, vibrant display, and impressive performance at an affordable price.
I’ve never used a Nubia phone before, but I’ve heard it has a loyal following. Curious to see what the hype was about, I decided to try Nubia Z60S Pro and put it to the test during my vacation on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 120Hz display and impressive camera, I was excited to see what it could do.
Right from the start, the phone’s performance stood out. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 handled everything smoothly, from gaming to multitasking. 120Hz display made scrolling feel wonderfully fluid and the camera produced some beautiful images especially against the backdrop of Lake Huron’s natural beauty.
Even while there were many advantages, I did run into a few problems. For example, I found a few minor flaws and software idiosyncrasies that somewhat hampered the entire experience. Battery life was decent but not as long-lasting as I hoped during my full day of exploring and taking photos.
As a longtime user of Google Pixel, I couldn’t help but compare the two. Nubia Z60S Pro definitely has some great features but could it replace my reliable Pixel? That’s the big question. Overall, it’s a strong contender but it still has a few hurdles to clear before I’d consider making the switch full-time.
Table of Contents
Nubia Z60S Pro Specification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔧 CPU | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, octa-core |
| 🎮 Graphics | Adreno 740 |
| 💾 RAM | 8GB / 12GB / 16GB / 24GB |
| 📱 OS | MyOS 14 (Android 14) |
| 🖥️ Screen | 6.78-inch AMOLED |
| 📐 Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels |
| 🔄 Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| 💽 Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| 📷 Rear Cameras | 50MP main, 8MP telephoto, 50MP ultrawide |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 16MP |
| 📡 Connectivity | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C 3.1 |
| 📏 Dimensions | 163.6 x 76 x 8.7 mm |
| ⚖️ Weight | 220g |
Nubia Z60S Pro Design and Build
Nubia Z60S Pro comes in a simple box but phone itself is surprisingly large and sturdy. It has a 6.78-inch screen, black with red accents on the buttons, and a big, circular camera notch on the back. The main camera is in the center, with three other lenses (portrait, ultrawide, and macro) around it in a clock-like design.
Weighing in at 220 grams, it’s heavier than most phones, which usually weigh between 175-195 grams. Whether it feels solid and reliable or just bulky will depend on your preference and pocket size. With the included case, phone becomes even bigger.
There’s a dual SIM slot on the bottom near USB-C charging port. On the right side, you’ll find the power button (which is shiny red), the volume button and a mysterious switch which we’ll get to soon.
When you turn on phone, you’re greeted by a large, bright display with up to 1200 nits of brightness. While it’s not as bright as the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Xiaomi flagships, it’s still bright enough for outdoor use and beats most mid-range competitors. 6.78-inch AMOLED screen has a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz which is great for gaming.
Nubia Z60S Pro Features
Let’s talk about that switch. When you flip it, the phone opens the camera in Street mode by default. Pretty cool, especially if you’re into photography. But it doesn’t stop there—head to Settings, and you can customize the switch for quick commands like opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, accessing the GameSpace, switching to vibrate mode, or even launching the voice recorder. It’s a handy feature.
Inside, Nubia Z60S Pro is impressive. It runs on the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the same chip used in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. There are three versions of the phone with different RAM and storage options (12 or 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage). Even the base model handles performance smoothly.
Phone supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and comes with features like an under-display fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, and compatibility with all major satellite-location services.
It runs on Nubia’s MyOS 14.0, a re-skinned version of Android. Once you clear out some pre-installed apps, it’s clean and easy to use. There’s also an always-on display option, and the phone supports up to 80W fast charging (but no wireless charging, unfortunately).
Nubia Z60S Pro Camera
Nubia Z60S Pro’s camera is a standout feature. It packs a 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.56-inch sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, an 8MP telephoto and a 16MP front camera. For a mid-range phone, the camera specs are impressive, and the photos it produces are bright, detailed and vibrant.
The 35mm main lens delivers sharp images with great color, and the portrait mode works well. Switching between ultrawide, telephoto and macro modes is easy with the simple on-screen menu. Macro mode, in particular, is fun to use and delivers clear close-up shots.
Video recording goes up to 8K, matching premium flagships. Camera also includes an editing suite loaded with filters and AI-powered enhancements, making it easy to get the perfect shot. There’s even a special Milky Way Night mode for capturing stars, which is a nice touch for astrophotography fans.
Overall, while it may not match professional cameras, for a phone in the $500 range, Nubia Z60S Pro’s camera performs way above expectations.
Nubia Z60S Pro Price
Nubia Z60S Pro starts at $499/£499 for the base model (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) and goes up to $699/£699 for the top version (16GB RAM, 1TB storage). The base model works great for most tasks and is a good deal compared to other phones in this price range.
This phone is for anyone who wants a powerful phone without spending a fortune. The camera is excellent for social media, with lots of features and even 8K video. However, if you prefer smaller phones, this one might feel too bulky.
Buy Nubia Z60S Pro if:
- You want a great camera phone under $500
- You need a reliable all-around phone
- You like having a unique phone brand
Don’t buy Nubia Z60S Pro if:
- You need top-of-the-line performance
- You don’t like extra pre-installed apps
- You want a smaller phone for easy pocket storage
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| 📷 Great camera | 🔍 Zoom could be better |
| 🌈 Beautiful 120Hz AMOLED screen | 🔊 Speakers are small |
| ⚡ Fast processor | 🔥 Can get hot while gaming |
| 📱 Almost pure Android experience | 👎 |
| 🔋 Long-lasting battery | 👎 |
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Review: Flagship Features at a Mid-Range Price
- Infinix Hot 50 5G Review: A Budget-Friendly 5G Powerhouse
- HMD 105 review
Conclusion
If you want a great camera phone, Nubia Z60S is impressive for its price. It’s a well-rounded smartphone that can handle everything, though it has a few software issues that hold it back from being perfect.
