The Realme GT5 and ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ represent two distinct approaches to maximizing the potential of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While both devices share the same flagship chipset, they cater to different priorities: the GT5 aims for a broader appeal with balanced features, while the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is laser-focused on delivering an uncompromising gaming experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and value, the Realme GT5 emerges as the winner. While the Red Magic 8 Pro+ boasts slightly faster charging, the GT5’s more versatile feature set and potentially lower price point make it a more compelling daily driver. Gamers seeking peak performance will still find the Red Magic 8 Pro+ a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 28 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 04 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 150W wired, PD, 50% in 7 min | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5240 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Flowing Silver, Starry Oasis | Black, Transparent |
| Models | RMX3820 | - |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Realme GT5
- Incredibly fast 150W charging
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Potentially more affordable price point
- May lack the advanced cooling of the Red Magic
- Camera system potentially less sophisticated
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Slightly faster 165W charging (advertised)
- Aggressive cooling system for sustained performance
- Dedicated gaming features (triggers, software)
- Gaming-centric design may not appeal to everyone
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s capabilities to drive high-refresh-rate displays, but specifics beyond that are missing. Given nubia’s history with high refresh rates and minimal bezels, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely prioritizes a more immersive visual experience. The Realme GT5, while still excellent, may lean towards color accuracy and broader viewing angles for everyday use. The absence of display specs like peak brightness and panel type (LTPO) makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Red Magic’s gaming focus suggests a higher refresh rate and lower touch latency.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the Red Magic’s gaming focus, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing rather than professional-grade photography. The Realme GT5, positioned as a more general-purpose flagship, may feature a more sophisticated camera setup with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of information regarding sensor size, OIS, and lens apertures prevents a detailed analysis, but we can infer that the GT5 will likely offer a more versatile and capable camera experience.
Performance
The core of both phones is the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration identical in both devices. This means CPU performance will be virtually indistinguishable in most tasks. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely incorporates a more aggressive cooling solution – a hallmark of the Red Magic line – to sustain peak performance for longer durations during demanding games. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inherently offers improved thermal efficiency compared to older nodes, but active cooling can further mitigate throttling. RAM configurations and storage speeds (UFS 4.0 is expected on both) will also play a role, but the chipset is the primary performance determinant.
Battery Life
Both phones feature incredibly fast wired charging: 150W for the Realme GT5 and 165W for the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+. While 165W appears superior on paper, the advertised 100% charge time of 14 minutes for the Red Magic needs real-world verification. The GT5’s 50% charge in 7 minutes is a concrete figure. Battery capacity is unknown for both, but the faster charging speeds suggest both manufacturers are prioritizing quick top-ups over massive battery sizes. The Red Magic’s gaming focus may necessitate a larger battery to sustain prolonged gaming sessions, but the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mitigates concerns about battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme GT5 if you need a powerful all-rounder with incredibly fast charging and a more mainstream design. It’s ideal for users who want a flagship experience without the overtly ‘gamer’ aesthetic. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ if you prioritize raw gaming performance above all else, and appreciate features like active cooling and dedicated gaming triggers. This phone is built for extended gaming sessions and competitive play.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is thermally efficient, prolonged gaming can still generate heat. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ addresses this with its advanced cooling system, likely including a vapor chamber and potentially even a fan, to mitigate throttling and maintain peak performance for longer durations. The Realme GT5, lacking such aggressive cooling, may experience some performance throttling after extended use.
❓ Is the 165W charging on the Red Magic 8 Pro+ significantly faster than the 150W charging on the Realme GT5 in real-world use?
The difference between 165W and 150W is likely to be marginal in real-world scenarios. Both offer incredibly fast charging speeds. The advertised 14-minute full charge for the Red Magic needs independent verification, as charging speed tapers off as the battery fills. The Realme GT5’s confirmed 7-minute 50% charge is a strong benchmark.
❓ Does the Red Magic 8 Pro+ support high frame rates (90fps or higher) in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is specifically designed for gaming and almost certainly supports high frame rates in PUBG Mobile and other popular titles. Its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and optimized software should deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience at maximum settings. The Realme GT5 will also likely support high frame rates, but may not sustain them as consistently due to its less aggressive cooling.
