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

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?”.

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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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.

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?

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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Andi

- 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

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

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
MaxPower
May 31, 2016
I would go with the Pro too mostly because of the camera.

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.
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.
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

Hakim Farouk
May 31, 2016
At that price, I’m really tempted. Will wait for this. haha
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
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
  - balcobomber25
    May 31, 2016

Guest
May 31, 2016
- 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?

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

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?
MaxPower
May 31, 2016
I would go with the Pro too mostly because of the camera.

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.
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.

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

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).

Hakim Farouk
May 31, 2016
At that price, I’m really tempted. Will wait for this. haha
Bility
May 31, 2016
But why did ZUK choose to put smaller battery in the Z2 Pro?
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
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

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).

Bility
May 31, 2016
But why did ZUK choose to put smaller battery in the Z2 Pro?
Don Bart
June 1, 2016
This is amazing value for money on paper! Well done ZUK.
Ulti
June 2, 2016
Very enticing. If it were just a touch smaller, I would go for it.
boo Jay
August 3, 2016

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