The Honor GT and ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ represent two distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. Both are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, promising top-tier performance, but they diverge significantly in their target audience and feature set. The Honor GT aims for a broader appeal, while the RedMagic 9 Pro+ is unapologetically geared towards mobile gamers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the Honor GT offers a compelling package. However, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ is the clear winner for dedicated mobile gamers who demand the fastest charging and robust cooling to sustain peak performance during extended sessions.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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 | 2024, December 17 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 17 | Available. Released 2023, November 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.2 x 7.7 mm (6.34 x 2.92 x 0.30 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 229 g (8.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2664 pixels (~436 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.5 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1200 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 8-core (1x3.3GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, ultrasound proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 60% in 15 min
5W reverse wired | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 16 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 5300 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Models | AMG-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 710 EUR |
Honor GT
- Balanced feature set for all-around use
- Fast 100W wired charging
- Potentially superior camera system
- More mainstream design
- May experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming
- Slower charging compared to RedMagic 9 Pro+
ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+
- Industry-leading 165W wired charging
- Aggressive cooling system for sustained gaming performance
- Dedicated gaming features (triggers, etc. - assumed)
- Immersive gaming experience
- Camera likely prioritized for convenience over quality
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s focus on gaming suggests a potentially higher peak brightness and optimized color calibration for vivid visuals. The Honor GT, aiming for broader appeal, may prioritize color accuracy for content consumption. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess dynamic refresh rate efficiency, but both will likely offer adaptive refresh rates to balance smoothness and battery life. Bezels are a key differentiator, with RedMagic historically minimizing them for an immersive gaming experience.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the RedMagic’s gaming focus, the camera system is likely optimized for convenience rather than flagship-level photography. The Honor GT, positioned as a more all-around device, likely features a more sophisticated camera setup with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of information on OIS and lens apertures further limits a detailed analysis, but we can infer that the Honor GT will likely deliver superior image quality in most scenarios.
Performance
Both the Honor GT and RedMagic 9 Pro+ utilize the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), featuring an identical CPU configuration: 1x3.3GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3GHz Cortex-A520. This ensures comparable raw processing power. However, the RedMagic 9 Pro+ likely incorporates a more aggressive cooling solution – a hallmark of the RedMagic series – to sustain peak performance for longer durations during demanding gaming sessions. The Honor GT, while capable, may experience more thermal throttling under sustained load. RAM configuration (LPDDR5x speed not specified) will also play a role, but the cooling system is the key differentiator.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The RedMagic 9 Pro+ boasts a staggering 165W wired charging capability, promising a full charge in just 16 minutes. The Honor GT, with its 100W charging, is still fast, achieving 60% charge in 15 minutes, but falls considerably behind. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the RedMagic 9 Pro+ effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size, allowing gamers to quickly top up and return to their sessions. The 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor GT is a useful, albeit minor, convenience feature.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor GT if you need a powerful all-rounder with a fast 100W charging solution and a more mainstream design. It’s ideal for users who enjoy gaming but also value photography, social media, and everyday productivity. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 9 Pro+ if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, the absolute fastest charging speeds (165W), and a design that screams 'gamer' with features like active cooling and dedicated gaming triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s 165W charging degrade the battery health faster?
While extremely fast charging can theoretically contribute to faster battery degradation over the long term, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging management systems to mitigate this effect. The RedMagic 9 Pro+ likely incorporates these technologies, and the benefits of rapid charging for gamers outweigh the potential, minimal impact on long-term battery health.
❓ Is the Honor GT’s camera significantly better than the RedMagic 9 Pro+’s?
Based on the brand’s typical focus, the Honor GT is expected to have a more refined camera system with larger sensors and more advanced image processing. The RedMagic 9 Pro+’s camera is likely adequate for casual use, but the Honor GT will likely excel in challenging lighting conditions and offer more detailed images.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the RedMagic 9 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The RedMagic 9 Pro+ is specifically engineered to combat thermal throttling. Its advanced cooling system, likely including a vapor chamber and fan, is designed to dissipate heat effectively, allowing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to maintain peak performance for extended gaming sessions. The Honor GT, while capable, may experience more noticeable throttling.
