Motorola Moto S30 Pro vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Gaming

The Motorola Moto S30 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone market. The S30 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 888+, aims for a balance of performance and value, while the Red Magic 7S Pro, with the newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming enthusiasts. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a more balanced experience, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant performance and efficiency advantage over the S30 Pro’s 888+, coupled with incredibly fast 135W charging. However, the S30 Pro remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto S30 Pro ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China
Launch
Announced2022, August 112022, July 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 11Available. Released 2022, July 15
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions158.5 x 71.2 x 7.5 mm or 7.7 mm166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight172 g / 167 g (5.89 oz)235 g (8.29 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantPressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MYUI 4.0Android 12, Redmagic 5.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, (wide), under display
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", AF16 MP, (wide), under display
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 10 min135W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlue, BlackObsidian, Supernova, Mercury, Yellow
ModelsXT2243-2NX709S
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)

Motorola Moto S30 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • Potentially better camera versatility (assumption based on market positioning)

  • Older Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less optimized for gaming

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro

  • Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
  • Ultra-fast 135W charging (China)
  • Gaming-centric features and optimizations

  • Higher price
  • Camera may be less versatile
  • Gaming aesthetic may not appeal to all

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the core difference lies in their intended use. The Red Magic 7S Pro, being a gaming phone, likely prioritizes refresh rate and touch sampling rate for responsiveness. The Moto S30 Pro, while capable, may focus more on color accuracy for general media consumption. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess dynamic refresh rate efficiency, but the Red Magic's gaming focus suggests a more aggressive approach to maximizing refresh rate even at the cost of battery life.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks specific camera details. However, given the Red Magic’s gaming focus, its camera system is likely optimized for social media sharing and casual photography rather than professional-grade image quality. The Moto S30 Pro, positioned as a more general-purpose flagship, may offer a more versatile camera experience. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but we can assume Motorola will prioritize camera features more than ZTE.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S Pro represents a substantial leap over the Snapdragon 888+ in the Moto S30 Pro. Built on a 4nm process versus the 5nm process of the 888+, the 8+ Gen 1 delivers improved power efficiency and sustained performance. The Red Magic 7S Pro’s CPU features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, exceeding the 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 in the S30 Pro. Furthermore, the 8+ Gen 1 utilizes Cortex-A710 cores instead of the A78, offering further architectural improvements. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better performance in demanding games. The S30 Pro will still perform well, but will likely exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 7S Pro’s 135W wired charging (in China, 65W internationally) is a game-changer, capable of charging from 0-50% in just 5 minutes and fully charging in 15 minutes (China). The Moto S30 Pro’s 68W charging is respectable, but significantly slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Red Magic’s faster charging mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 also contribute to better battery life during gaming sessions.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto S30 Pro if you need a capable flagship experience at a lower price point and don't prioritize the absolute highest gaming performance. It's ideal for everyday tasks, media consumption, and casual gaming. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro if you are a dedicated mobile gamer who demands sustained performance, rapid charging, and features specifically designed for an immersive gaming experience, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly more thermally efficient than the 888+, reducing the likelihood of overheating. The Red Magic 7S Pro also incorporates advanced cooling solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to further mitigate heat buildup during extended gaming. While some throttling is inevitable, it will be less pronounced than on the Moto S30 Pro.
❓ Is the 68W charging on the Moto S30 Pro sufficient for most users?
68W charging is still relatively fast and will fully charge the device in a reasonable timeframe. However, it pales in comparison to the 135W charging of the Red Magic 7S Pro. If you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery, the Red Magic is the better choice.
❓ Will the Moto S30 Pro run demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Moto S30 Pro can run Genshin Impact, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate, especially during prolonged sessions. The Snapdragon 888+ is capable, but the 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S Pro will provide a smoother and more consistent experience at higher settings.