ZUK Z2 launched at 1799 Yuan, so why buy the Z2 Pro?


zuk z2

Priced at only 1799 Yuan the ZUK Z2 not only costs less than the Xiaomi Mi5 with the same Snapdragon 820 but it also undercuts the Z2 Pro with similar specs!

Lenovo backed smartphone start-up, ZUK, launched their 2nd phone of the year today and not only does it offer similar specs to rival phones at a lower price but it also has us asking “why would anyone want the Z2 Pro?”.

zuk z2

Priced at 1799 Yuan in China, the ZUK Z2 ships with a 2.15Ghz Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, a 5-inch screen and generous 3500mAh battery. For those of you who have been eyeing up the Z2 Pro then you will know that the more expensive phone has a slightly larger 5.2-inch display, 6GB RAM and a smaller battery(??).

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zuk z2

The Z2 does seem to lack the 10 health sensors found on the Z2 Pro and it also doesn’t appear to be as visually appealing, but its still quite the looker all in black and offers the same Utouch fingerprint scanner (not to mention performance is going to be on par too).

Other features include a 13 mega-pixel main camera, 8 mega-pixel front, fast charging feature, dual SIM support and ZUI based on Android 6.0.1.

zuk z2

As resellers are only just offering the Z2 Pro now (yes, I have one on the way) the Z2 will take a few weeks before it is available.

Which would you more likely buy Z2 or Z2 Pro?

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70 Comments

  1. Dieter
    May 31, 2016

    Do not forget the mich faster storage and oled Display.

    • manohar basavaraju
      May 31, 2016

      It has UFS 2.0 and the same Display as Pro version as i read on some Chinese site. Just wait for some more days for confirmation and a review also…

      • Danny H.
        May 31, 2016

        You should check the zuk.com site. All the specs are there. Bug differences between the 2. Only the pro has ufs, the non pro only have emmc 5.1

        • Nilzie
          June 1, 2016

          The question is, is the difference noticeable in real life or on paper only?

  2. elfyanlied
    May 31, 2016

    Zuk Z2 Pro for me. difference are : the design (for me of course), the 10 sensor but more important is: the band are different (band 20 ok for Zuk Z2 Pro and ko for Z2) and the phone (F1.8 vs 2.0 and OIS/EIS for Zuk Z2 Pro vs EIS only for Zuk Z2)

    • MaxPower
      May 31, 2016

      I think it’s f/2.2
      The camera of the smaller version is going to be pretty cheap

      • balcobomber25
        May 31, 2016

        It is f/2.2

  3. HBK
    May 31, 2016

    Camera is a big diff. this one has f2.2 aperture if im not wrong. While Z2 pro has f1.8.

    Ill pick a z2 pro over this. 🙂
    But this is amazing for its price. Another great product by ZUK.

    This year Zuk is the only brand that ive liked so far. Everything else was a dissapointment.

    • Sere83
      May 31, 2016

      Couldnt agree more. The only company that has delivered spec/price wise this year of the china brands.

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      On paper it is a big difference in the camera but still need to see both in operation. Aperture doesn’t always equate to better pictures.

      • HBK
        May 31, 2016

        Ofcoz, waiting for the reviews.
        But they will really have to mess up the software side to make a 1.34um sensor with f1.8 aperture with OIS and EIS perform bad.

        Since they have priced one higher than the other, i dont see this one matching the big bro’s performance either. Would be bad for bussiness wouldnt it?

        BTW there is a Zuk R1 coming soon.
        4.7in 720p HD Display.
        Helio P10
        3gb ram
        32gb storage
        13mp rear cam
        8mp front cam

        Source : GFXbench

        PS : This website needs a new web dev. Their Tip us page is broken, Their front page Page toggle doesn’t work, cant read more than 5-6 news. Its ridiculas.

        • balcobomber25
          May 31, 2016

          I don’t expect the Z2 Pro to be worse but you just never know in this industry. GFX bench will have all sorts of phones listed that never come out, same with Geekbench. Sometimes they are just test devices by the company. So they aren’t the most reliable source, not saying it won’t happen but need better sources first.

          But I agree about this site. It is terrible I can’t search for anything and can only see the first few stories. I have to use a google search such as “Xiaomi Mi5 Gizchina” to find older stories.

    • Roberto Tomás
      June 4, 2016

      leEco was a disappointment to you this year?

  4. MaxPower
    May 31, 2016

    I would go with the Pro too mostly because of the camera.

  5. balcobomber25
    May 31, 2016

    I prefer the Z2 Pro for a few reasons, but a lot will come down to reviews.

    – Design. The Pro has a much better design IMO.
    – Camera. On Paper the Z2 Pro camera will be much better than the base model.
    – Size. I prefer the slightly larger Pro model.

  6. NextHype
    May 31, 2016

    Hell that’s cheap for a SD820 phone… but the only flagship level spec of this phone seems to be its SoC. There are better alternatives for this price, with lower quality SoC (like SD6xx) but better overall specs (camera, screen, etc…).

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      Without a review we have little clue on the camera performance. It could end up being very good for the price.

      On paper the Z2 Pro is better but we still need to see them in actual usage.

      • VMortens
        May 31, 2016

        You got that right man.
        Unlike you, I prefer it more compact, but the way they got scrooge on the camera here, repulses me. I’d rather go PRO.

      • NextHype
        June 1, 2016

        You’re right, we have no clue but ZUK can’t maintain a flagship level quality camera on this cheaper model without undermining ROI on the flagship model, as the cheaper model would inevitably draw some flagship sales.
        Something tells me ZUK won’t afford so much time and money to optimize this f/2.2 sensor. Time will tell.

        • balcobomber25
          June 1, 2016

          This isn’t meant to be a flagship level phone, the Z2 Pro is their flagship. This is an upper midrange device and will have a camera that should compete with other upper midrange devices.

  7. Sere83
    May 31, 2016

    I actually prefer the design and size of this to the pro, more compact and cleaner The jutting out back on the pro looks a bit odd to me. But the pro camera is a lot better on paper and will almost certainly perform better. ZUK have really put together 2 compelling phones at good price points this year and outshined all the competition. Even ZUI doesn’t look too bad visually. NOW PROPERLY RELEASE THESE ALREADY

  8. Hakim Farouk
    May 31, 2016

    At that price, I’m really tempted. Will wait for this. haha

  9. Giulio Dainese
    May 31, 2016

    there is an other important difference between the z2 and the z2 pro: pro version has b20 800mhz… and i am very disappointed

    • June 1, 2016

      me too…
      b20 is also used by tim and vodafone (besides wind)… no b20 no party

  10. Game Center Games
    May 31, 2016

    Can anyone tell me where I can pre order the pro? Also, will this phone be in English or Chinese? Thanks!!

    • Danny H.
      May 31, 2016

      It will be in both English & Chinese, you can choose at the beginning.

      • balcobomber25
        May 31, 2016

        I have seen it on OppoMart and Geekbuying but neither have pre-orders yet

  11. Guest
    May 31, 2016

    Do not forget the mich faster storage and oled Display.

    • manohar basavaraju
      May 31, 2016

      It has UFS 2.0 and the same Display as Pro version as i read on some Chinese site. Just wait for some more days for confirmation and a review also…

    • Danny H.
      May 31, 2016

      You should check the zuk.com site. All the specs are there. Bug differences between the 2. Only the pro has ufs, the non pro only have emmc 5.1

    • Nilzie
      June 1, 2016

      The question is, is the difference noticeable in real life or on paper only?

  12. Guest
    May 31, 2016

    Zuk Z2 Pro for me. difference are : the design (for me of course), the 10 sensor but more important is: the band are different (band 20 ok for Zuk Z2 Pro and ko for Z2) and the phone (F1.8 vs 2.0 and OIS/EIS for Zuk Z2 Pro vs EIS only for Zuk Z2)

    • MaxPower
      May 31, 2016

      I think it’s f/2.2
      The camera of the smaller version is going to be pretty cheap

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      It is f/2.2

  13. Guest
    May 31, 2016

    Camera is a big diff. this one has f2.2 aperture if im not wrong. While Z2 pro has f1.8.

    Ill pick a z2 pro over this. 🙂
    But this is amazing for its price. Another great product by ZUK.

    This year Zuk is the only brand that ive liked so far. Everything else was a dissapointment.

    • Sere83
      May 31, 2016

      Couldnt agree more. The only company that has delivered spec/price wise this year of the china brands.

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      On paper it is a big difference in the camera but still need to see both in operation. Aperture doesn’t always equate to better pictures.

    • Guest
      May 31, 2016

      Ofcoz, waiting for the reviews.
      But they will really have to mess up the software side to make a 1.34um sensor with f1.8 aperture with OIS and EIS perform bad.

      Since they have priced one higher than the other, i dont see this one matching the big bro’s performance either. Would be bad for bussiness wouldnt it?

      BTW there is a Zuk R1 coming soon.
      4.7in 720p HD Display.
      Helio P10
      3gb ram
      32gb storage
      13mp rear cam
      8mp front cam

      Source : GFXbench

      PS : This website needs a new web dev. Their Tip us page is broken, Their front page Page toggle doesn’t work, cant read more than 5-6 news. Its ridiculas.

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      I don’t expect the Z2 Pro to be worse but you just never know in this industry. GFX bench will have all sorts of phones listed that never come out, same with Geekbench. Sometimes they are just test devices by the company. So they aren’t the most reliable source, not saying it won’t happen but need better sources first.

      But I agree about this site. It is terrible I can’t search for anything and can only see the first few stories. I have to use a google search such as “Xiaomi Mi5 Gizchina” to find older stories.

    • Roberto Tomás
      June 4, 2016

      leEco was a disappointment to you this year?

  14. MaxPower
    May 31, 2016

    I would go with the Pro too mostly because of the camera.

  15. balcobomber25
    May 31, 2016

    I prefer the Z2 Pro for a few reasons, but a lot will come down to reviews.

    – Design. The Pro has a much better design IMO.
    – Camera. On Paper the Z2 Pro camera will be much better than the base model.
    – Size. I prefer the slightly larger Pro model.

  16. NextHype
    May 31, 2016

    Hell that’s cheap for a SD820 phone… but the only flagship level spec of this phone seems to be its SoC. There are better alternatives for this price, with lower quality SoC (like SD6xx) but better overall specs (camera, screen, etc…).

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      Without a review we have little clue on the camera performance. It could end up being very good for the price.

      On paper the Z2 Pro is better but we still need to see them in actual usage.

    • VMortens
      May 31, 2016

      You got that right man.
      Unlike you, I prefer it more compact, but the way they got scrooge on the camera here, repulses me. I’d rather go PRO.

    • NextHype
      June 1, 2016

      You’re right, we have no clue but ZUK can’t maintain a flagship level quality camera on this cheaper model without undermining ROI on the flagship model, as the cheaper model would inevitably draw some flagship sales.
      Something tells me ZUK won’t afford so much time and money to optimize this f/2.2 sensor. Time will tell.

    • balcobomber25
      June 1, 2016

      This isn’t meant to be a flagship level phone, the Z2 Pro is their flagship. This is an upper midrange device and will have a camera that should compete with other upper midrange devices.

  17. Sere83
    May 31, 2016

    I actually prefer the design and size of this to the pro, more compact and cleaner The jutting out back on the pro looks a bit odd to me. But the pro camera is a lot better on paper and will almost certainly perform better. ZUK have really put together 2 compelling phones at good price points this year and outshined all the competition. Even ZUI doesn’t look too bad visually. NOW PROPERLY RELEASE THESE ALREADY

  18. Danny H.
    May 31, 2016

    If you check zuk.com, you’ll see the differences between the 2 Z2 are quite substantial. The pro has ufs storage, ois & eis camera, 1.8 aperture, 10 sensors, band 7 & 20 lte, metal frame. The Z2 has to make do with emmc 5.1, eis only camera, 2.2 aperture, no band 7 & 20, fiberglass frame. If the 4gb version of the pro is 2300 rmb then the 2 is reasonable at 1800, exactly the price of the Z1 when it was introduced last year. The Z2 is the phone to occupied that price point. So the cost structure of zuk is like this: 1k5 for z1, 1k8 for Z2, 2k3 for Z2 pro 4gb, and 2k7 for Z2 pro 6gb.

    • MaxPower
      May 31, 2016

      That’s a good analysis.
      Lot of people look at the SoC, camera sensor and think a phone is just that.
      Actually is way more than that and you explained it very well

      • Xiaolu
        May 31, 2016

        Not to mention ROM & UI. I bought the OnePlus One mainly because of: specs/price ratio + Cyanogen out of the box. Turns out it wasn’t that much better than buying a Nexus… (the UI is nice, but bugs here and there).

  19. Hakim Farouk
    May 31, 2016

    At that price, I’m really tempted. Will wait for this. haha

  20. Bility
    May 31, 2016

    But why did ZUK choose to put smaller battery in the Z2 Pro?

  21. Giulio Dainese
    May 31, 2016

    there is an other important difference between the z2 and the z2 pro: pro version has b20 800mhz… and i am very disappointed

    • qandrav
      June 1, 2016

      me too…
      b20 is also used by tim and vodafone (besides wind)… no b20 no party

  22. Game Center Games
    May 31, 2016

    Can anyone tell me where I can pre order the pro? Also, will this phone be in English or Chinese? Thanks!!

    • Danny H.
      May 31, 2016

      It will be in both English & Chinese, you can choose at the beginning.

    • balcobomber25
      May 31, 2016

      I have seen it on OppoMart and Geekbuying but neither have pre-orders yet

  23. Danny H.
    May 31, 2016

    If you check zuk.com, you’ll see the differences between the 2 Z2 are quite substantial. The pro has ufs storage, ois & eis camera, 1.8 aperture, 10 sensors, band 7 & 20 lte, metal frame. The Z2 has to make do with emmc 5.1, eis only camera, 2.2 aperture, no band 7 & 20, fiberglass frame. If the 4gb version of the pro is 2300 rmb then the 2 is reasonable at 1800, exactly the price of the Z1 when it was introduced last year. The Z2 is the phone to occupied that price point. So the cost structure of zuk is like this: 1k5 for z1, 1k8 for Z2, 2k for Z1 special edition, 2k3 for Z2 pro 4gb, and 2k7 for Z2 pro 6gb. Quite extensive in my opinion.

    • MaxPower
      May 31, 2016

      That’s a good analysis.
      Lot of people look at the SoC, camera sensor and think a phone is just that.
      Actually is way more than that and you explained it very well

    • Xiaolu
      June 1, 2016

      Not to mention ROM & UI. I bought the OnePlus One mainly because of: specs/price ratio + Cyanogen out of the box. Turns out it wasn’t that much better than buying a Nexus… (the UI is nice, but bugs here and there).

  24. Bility
    May 31, 2016

    But why did ZUK choose to put smaller battery in the Z2 Pro?

  25. Don Bart
    June 1, 2016

    Amoled too??

  26. Don Bart
    June 1, 2016

    Amoled too??

  27. Ulti
    June 2, 2016

    This is amazing value for money on paper! Well done ZUK.

  28. Ulti
    June 2, 2016

    This is amazing value for money on paper! Well done ZUK.

  29. August 3, 2016

    Very enticing. If it were just a touch smaller, I would go for it.

  30. boo Jay
    August 3, 2016

    Very enticing. If it were just a touch smaller, I would go for it.

  31. September 28, 2016

    The best all around 5 inch device untill now for me.

  32. Harith_Humam
    September 28, 2016

    The best all around 5 inch device untill now for me.