Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G vs ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite: A Detailed Performance and Value Comparison

The Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G and ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The Z6 Pro 5G, leveraging the older but still potent Snapdragon 855, aims for flagship-level performance at a reduced price. Conversely, the Red Magic 5G Lite opts for the more efficient Snapdragon 765G, prioritizing a balance between power and battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and occasional demanding tasks, the Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers a noticeable performance edge. However, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a more balanced experience with potentially better thermal management and 5G efficiency.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 LTE (unspecified)
5G bands41, 78 NSA/Sub6 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, June 26. Released 2019, November 152020, June 19
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, June 19
Body
Dimensions157.5 x 74.6 x 8.7 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.34 in)171.7 x 78.5 x 9.1 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -Touch sensitive gaming triggers
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10AMOLED, 144Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 620
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11Android 10, nubia UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/1.8, 2.9µm, PDAF, OIS (dedicated video camera) TOF 3D, (depth)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 5100 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsRed, BlueBlack, Blue
Models-NX651J
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 600 EUR

Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G

  • More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
  • Superior GPU performance for gaming
  • Potentially better camera system (based on positioning)

  • Potentially higher thermal throttling
  • Likely shorter battery life
  • Older chipset architecture

ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite

  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 765G
  • Integrated 5G modem for better efficiency
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Lower CPU and GPU performance
  • May lack some flagship features
  • Potentially less refined camera experience

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Z6 Pro 5G's positioning, it likely features a higher-quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and brightness. The Red Magic 5G Lite, being a gaming-focused device, may prioritize a high refresh rate, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are likely similar, reflecting the mid-range nature of both phones.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a definitive comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the Z6 Pro 5G, positioned as a more all-around device, may have a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing. The Red Magic 5G Lite might prioritize features geared towards content creation for social media. The absence of information regarding OIS or aperture sizes prevents a deeper analysis.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 prime core – compared to the ZTE’s Snapdragon 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to faster single-core and multi-core performance for the Z6 Pro 5G. However, the 765G’s integrated 5G modem offers potentially better power efficiency. The Z6 Pro 5G’s Adreno 640 GPU will also outperform the 765G’s Adreno 620, providing a smoother experience in graphically intensive games. Thermal management will be crucial; the 855 is known to run hotter, potentially leading to throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The actual battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency in the Red Magic 5G Lite could result in longer real-world battery life, despite a potentially smaller battery size. The Z6 Pro 5G’s more power-hungry chipset will likely require more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G if you need maximum performance for gaming or demanding applications and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery life. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite if you prioritize a smoother, more efficient 5G experience, longer battery endurance, and a potentially cooler operating temperature during extended use, even if it means a slight performance compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While the Z6 Pro 5G may have some cooling mechanisms, it's likely to experience throttling during extended gaming, potentially reducing performance over time. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite, with its more efficient Snapdragon 765G, is less prone to overheating.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the Snapdragon 855 (with external modem) and the integrated 5G in the Snapdragon 765G?
The Snapdragon 765G's integrated 5G modem is generally more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 855's implementation, which relies on an external modem. This means the Red Magic 5G Lite will likely offer better battery life while using 5G networks. While the 855 can achieve comparable speeds, it will consume more power to do so.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 855 and 765G noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and video playback, the difference will be minimal. However, when launching demanding apps, multitasking, or playing graphically intensive games, the Snapdragon 855 in the Z6 Pro 5G will provide a noticeably smoother and faster experience.