Lenovo Legion 2 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle

The Lenovo Legion 2 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro represent the pinnacle of Android gaming phone design. Both devices prioritize raw performance and immersive gameplay, but they achieve this through different approaches. The Legion 2 Pro focuses on a balanced experience with dual charging and a robust cooling system, while the Red Magic 6s Pro pushes the boundaries of charging speed and endurance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most gamers, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset, coupled with the incredibly fast 120W charging (in China) and impressive 97-hour endurance rating, provides a superior gaming experience and minimizes downtime. However, the Legion 2 Pro remains a strong contender for users prioritizing dual charging options.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Legion 2 Pro ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 431, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 082021, September 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2021, September 27
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.93 x 3.09 x 0.39 in)169.9 x 77.2 x 9.5 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight259 g (9.14 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 Built-in two cooling fans RGB light panel (on the back) 6 pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers): 4 ultrasonic buttons (top), 2 capacitive sliding buttons (back)Pressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing) Sliding trigger on the back Built-in cooling fan RGB Light
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Legion OSAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBTwo USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), OTGUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate
Battery
Charging90W wired (dual USB-C ports), 50% in 12 min, 100% in 30 min 65W wired (single USB-C port)120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 17 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 65 min (International)
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model
Misc
ColorsTitanium White, Ultimate BlackEclipse Black, Transparent, White
ModelsL70081-
PriceAbout 880 EURAbout 600 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -21.4 LUFS (Excellent)
Performance- AnTuTu: 758329 (v8), 870708 (v9) GeekBench: 14612 (v4.4), 3664 (v5.1) GFXBench: 62fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Lenovo Legion 2 Pro

  • Dual USB-C ports offer charging and accessory flexibility.
  • Robust cooling system for sustained performance.
  • Balanced feature set for all-around use.

  • Snapdragon 888 is slightly less powerful than the 888+.
  • Charging speed is slower than the Red Magic 6s Pro.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro

  • Snapdragon 888+ provides a performance edge.
  • Industry-leading 120W charging (China) for incredibly fast refills.
  • Exceptional 97-hour endurance rating.

  • Aggressive gaming design may not appeal to all users.
  • International version charging speed is reduced to 66W.

Display Comparison

While both phones feature high refresh rate displays optimized for gaming, the Red Magic 6s Pro boasts a contrast ratio described as 'Infinite (nominal)', suggesting a superior OLED panel capable of deeper blacks. Neither device specifies peak brightness in the provided data, but Red Magic phones historically prioritize color accuracy and responsiveness over sheer brightness. The Legion 2 Pro’s display specs are absent, making a direct comparison difficult, but its focus on overall balance suggests a more conventional display calibration.

Camera Comparison

Neither device is marketed for its camera prowess, but the available data is limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. Both manufacturers likely prioritize camera performance sufficient for social media sharing rather than photographic excellence. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests that gaming is the primary focus for both devices.

Performance

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro gains a slight edge with its Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked at 3.0 GHz versus the Legion 2 Pro’s 888 at 2.84 GHz. This higher clock speed on the Cortex-X1 prime core translates to marginally faster single-core performance, beneficial in many games. Both utilize the same Adreno 660 GPU, but the Red Magic 6s Pro’s chipset is built on a refined 5nm process, potentially offering better thermal headroom. Both devices utilize Octa-core CPUs with the same Cortex-A78 and A55 configurations, meaning multi-core performance will be similar.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 6s Pro’s 97-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage, indicating optimized power management and efficient component selection. While the Legion 2 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Red Magic 6s Pro’s 120W charging (China) – capable of a full charge in just 17 minutes – is a game-changer. The Legion 2 Pro’s 90W charging is still fast, reaching 100% in 30 minutes, but the Red Magic 6s Pro’s speed is substantially quicker. The international version of the Red Magic 6s Pro still offers a respectable 66W charging with a 65-minute full charge time.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro if you need the flexibility of dual USB-C charging ports for simultaneous gaming and power delivery, or if you prefer a more understated design. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds, exceptional battery endurance, and a dedicated gaming aesthetic. The Red Magic 6s Pro is the clear choice for competitive gamers who need minimal interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 6s Pro's 120W charging generate excessive heat?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, the Red Magic 6s Pro incorporates advanced thermal management technologies to mitigate heat buildup. The device dynamically adjusts charging speed to maintain safe temperatures, preventing damage to the battery and ensuring long-term reliability. However, some warmth during charging is expected.
❓ Is the Legion 2 Pro's dual charging setup truly useful for gaming?
The dual USB-C ports on the Legion 2 Pro allow for simultaneous charging and accessory connection, such as headphones or a gamepad, without interrupting gameplay. This is particularly beneficial during extended gaming sessions where maintaining power and connectivity is crucial. It also allows for pass-through charging, powering the device while simultaneously charging a connected accessory.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Legion 2 Pro throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. However, the Legion 2 Pro features a robust cooling system designed to minimize throttling and maintain consistent performance during long gaming sessions. The effectiveness of this cooling system will depend on ambient temperature and game settings.
❓ Does the Red Magic 6s Pro support high frame rates in popular games like PUBG?
The Red Magic 6s Pro is specifically engineered for high frame rate gaming. It supports frame rates up to 120fps in compatible titles like PUBG, providing a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. Game-specific optimizations and settings may be required to achieve the highest frame rates.