Realme GT2 vs. ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Realme GT2 and ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The GT2 aims for a balanced blend of features and affordability, while the Red Magic 7S Pro is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming enthusiasts. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience, the Realme GT2 offers a compelling package. However, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is the clear winner for gamers, thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and significantly faster 135W charging, despite a slightly older battery endurance rating.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT2 ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China
Launch
Announced2022, January 042022, July 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 08Available. Released 2022, July 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)166.3 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)
Weight194.5 / 199.8 g (6.88 oz)235 g (8.29 oz)
 -Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-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, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, Redmagic 5.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm16 MP, (wide), under display
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)64 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@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm16 MP, (wide), under display
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 33 min135W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International)
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsPaper White, Paper Green, Steel Black, Titanium BlueObsidian, Supernova, Mercury, Yellow
ModelsRMX3310, RMX3312, RMX3311NX709S
PriceAbout 790 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h -
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 810512 (v9) GeekBench: 3487 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Realme GT2

  • Bright and vibrant display (846 nits)
  • Balanced feature set for everyday use
  • Reliable battery endurance (115h)

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Slower charging speed (33 minutes)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 135W charging (China)
  • Optimized for gaming performance

  • Battery capacity not specified
  • Potentially less balanced camera experience

Display Comparison

The Realme GT2 boasts a display capable of reaching 846 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Red Magic 7S Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, nubia typically prioritizes high refresh rates for gaming. The GT2’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a strong AMOLED panel, but without knowing the Red Magic’s panel type, a direct comparison is difficult. Gamers will likely appreciate a higher refresh rate on the Red Magic, but the GT2’s brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is limited. It’s reasonable to assume the Red Magic 7S Pro prioritizes performance over camera quality, while the GT2 may offer a more balanced camera experience. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Red Magic 7S Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Realme GT2’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load, crucial for extended gaming sessions. The 8+ Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 core, clocked at 3.19 GHz, outperforms the GT2’s Cortex-X1 at 2.84 GHz. The Red Magic also benefits from newer Cortex-A710 cores, offering a performance boost over the GT2’s A78 cores. While both phones likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the Red Magic’s superior chipset will deliver a noticeably smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

Battery Life

The Realme GT2 achieves an endurance rating of 115 hours, indicating solid battery life. The Red Magic 7S Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but its 135W wired charging (in China, 65W internationally) is a game-changer. A full charge in just 15 minutes (China) or 33 minutes (GT2) significantly reduces downtime. While the GT2’s endurance rating is respectable, the Red Magic’s charging speed provides a substantial convenience advantage, potentially offsetting a slightly smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT2 if you need a versatile smartphone with a bright display and reliable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. It’s ideal for users who value a balanced feature set and don’t want to compromise on battery life. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 7S Pro if you prioritize maximum gaming performance, rapid charging, and are willing to accept a more specialized device focused on delivering the best possible mobile gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 7S Pro’s cooling system effectively prevent thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Red Magic 7S Pro is specifically designed for gaming and incorporates advanced cooling solutions, including a built-in fan and vapor chamber. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s improved thermal efficiency, combined with these cooling features, significantly reduces the likelihood of thermal throttling, allowing for sustained peak performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Realme GT2’s 65W charging sufficient for most users, or is the Red Magic 7S Pro’s 135W charging a necessity?
65W charging on the Realme GT2 is still relatively fast, reaching 100% in 33 minutes. However, the Red Magic 7S Pro’s 135W charging (in China) is a game-changer, offering a 50% charge in just 5 minutes and a full charge in 15 minutes. For users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, the Red Magic’s charging speed is a significant advantage.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Red Magic 7S Pro compare to the Snapdragon 888 in the Realme GT2 in terms of power consumption?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, built on a 4nm process, is significantly more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 888 (5nm). This means the Red Magic 7S Pro will generally consume less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life during gaming and other demanding tasks.