The Honor GT Pro and ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The GT Pro leverages Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite with its Oryon CPU architecture, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ opts for the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on performance, charging speed, and the implications for demanding users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a more balanced experience, the Honor GT Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite, with the Oryon cores, offers a compelling performance advantage, while the 90W charging is sufficient for most. However, gamers and power users will find the RedMagic 9 Pro+'s 165W charging and dedicated gaming features more appealing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 23 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 23 | Available. Released 2023, November 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Giant rhino glass), aluminum frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.38 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Giant rhino glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2800 pixels (~453 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 107.9 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 4320Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L1+L5), GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 90W wired
5W reverse wired | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 16 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7200 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Models | PPG-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 710 EUR |
Honor GT Pro
- Potentially superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite and Oryon cores
- More balanced overall experience for everyday use
- Efficient 3nm process could lead to better sustained performance
- Slower charging speed (90W vs 165W)
- May lack dedicated gaming features found on the RedMagic
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+
- Incredibly fast 165W charging
- Optimized for gaming with potential for advanced cooling and features
- PD3.0 support for versatile charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may be outperformed by the Snapdragon 8 Elite in CPU-intensive tasks
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
While display specs aren't provided, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. However, the chipset differences indirectly impact display performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s more efficient CPU could allow for sustained higher refresh rates without significant thermal throttling. The RedMagic 9 Pro+’s gaming focus suggests a potentially higher PWM dimming rate, which could benefit users sensitive to flicker, but this is speculative without specific data. Bezels are likely minimal on both, given their flagship status.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, but given the market positioning, both phones likely feature multi-camera systems. The RedMagic 9 Pro+’s gaming focus might prioritize image processing for fast capture and low-light performance in gaming environments. The Honor GT Pro, aiming for a broader appeal, might offer a more balanced camera experience with a focus on color accuracy and detail. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but we can assume both will feature capable main sensors.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Honor GT Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) with its Oryon V2 Phoenix CPU architecture (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) is a significant departure from traditional Snapdragon designs. The Oryon cores, based on ARM’s Cortex designs but heavily customized, promise substantial gains in single-core and multi-core performance. The RedMagic 9 Pro+ utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with a more conventional core configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 + 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520). While the Gen 3 is powerful, the 3nm process and Oryon architecture of the 8 Elite suggest a performance lead, particularly in sustained workloads. The 4nm node of the Gen 3 offers better thermal efficiency than a potentially more power-hungry 3nm design, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming, but the Oryon cores are designed for efficiency as well.
Battery Life
The RedMagic 9 Pro+’s 165W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a full charge in just 16 minutes. This is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Honor GT Pro’s 90W charging is still fast, but considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the RedMagic’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The PD3.0 support on the RedMagic adds versatility for charging with other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor GT Pro if you need a flagship phone with exceptional CPU performance for multitasking, demanding applications, and a generally smoother user experience. It’s ideal for professionals and power users who value responsiveness. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ if you prioritize ultimate gaming performance, incredibly fast charging, and a device specifically engineered for extended gaming sessions. It’s the clear choice for mobile gamers and those who demand the fastest possible recharge times.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Honor GT Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite's 3nm process and the efficiency-focused design of the Oryon cores aim to mitigate thermal throttling. However, sustained high performance will inevitably generate heat. Honor's thermal management solution will be crucial in maintaining stable performance during extended gaming. The RedMagic 9 Pro+'s dedicated gaming features likely include a more robust cooling system.
❓ How much faster is the 165W charging on the RedMagic 9 Pro+ compared to the 90W charging on the Honor GT Pro in real-world use?
The RedMagic 9 Pro+ can fully charge in approximately 16 minutes, while the Honor GT Pro will take considerably longer – likely around 30-45 minutes depending on battery capacity. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery, offering a substantial time saving.
❓ Is the Oryon CPU architecture in the Honor GT Pro a significant upgrade over the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 cores?
Yes, the Oryon architecture represents a fundamental shift in Qualcomm's CPU design. It's a heavily customized implementation based on ARM's Cortex designs, optimized for both performance and efficiency. Early benchmarks suggest the Oryon cores deliver a noticeable performance uplift, particularly in single-core and multi-core tasks, compared to the standard Cortex cores found in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
