Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra vs. ZTE RedMagic 8 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Performance

The Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra and ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+ represent two distinct approaches to the high-performance Android smartphone market. The Poco F8 Ultra arrives with Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, aiming for raw power and sustained performance, while the RedMagic 8 Pro+ leverages the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and focuses on ultra-fast charging and gaming-centric features. 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 sustained performance and all-day battery life, the Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and impressive 18:52 active use battery score provide a compelling advantage. However, gamers who absolutely demand the fastest possible charging speeds will find the RedMagic 8 Pro+’s 165W charging a significant draw.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71LTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, November 262022, December 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 26Available. Released 2022, December 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Poco Shield Glass), aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or silicone polymer backGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.3 x 77.8 x 7.9 mm or 8.3 mm164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight218 g or 220 g (7.69 oz)230 g (8.11 oz)
Display
ProtectionPoco Shield GlassUnspecified
Resolution1200 x 2608 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 116.6 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 2560Hz PWM, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 2000 nits (HBM), 3500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Adreno 740
OSAndroid 16, HyperOS 3Android 13, Redmagic OS 6
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 115mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF (30cm - ∞), OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 102˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm50 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 (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (wide), 1/3.44", 0.64µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5.0, ASHA, MIHC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, Display Port, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100W PPS, 100% in 38 mins 50W wireless, 50% in 31 mins 22.5W reverse wireless165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min
Type6500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Denim BlueBlack, Transparent
Models25102PCBEG-
Price£ 549.00 / € 659.46About 700 EUR

Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra

  • Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Exceptional battery life (18:52h active use)
  • Brighter display (1077 nits)

  • Slower wired charging than RedMagic 8 Pro+
  • Wireless charging is slower than wired

ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+

  • Blazing-fast 165W wired charging (14 minutes to 100%)
  • Gaming-focused design and features
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still a very capable chipset

  • Likely shorter battery life compared to Poco F8 Ultra
  • Potentially less refined camera system

Display Comparison

The Poco F8 Ultra boasts a measured peak brightness of 1077 nits, suggesting a vibrant and easily viewable display even in bright sunlight. While the RedMagic 8 Pro+’s display specifications are not provided, nubia typically prioritizes high refresh rates for gaming. The Poco F8 Ultra’s brightness advantage is significant, and the absence of LTPO information for the RedMagic suggests it may not be as power-efficient in dynamic refresh rate scenarios. The Poco F8 Ultra’s brightness will be more beneficial for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the gaming focus of the RedMagic 8 Pro+, it’s likely the Poco F8 Ultra will offer a more refined and versatile camera system. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures on the RedMagic 8 Pro+ suggests a less emphasized camera experience. The Poco F8 Ultra, positioned as a more all-around flagship, likely prioritizes image quality and features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Poco F8 Ultra features the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm), utilizing a unique Oryon V3 Phoenix CPU architecture with a 2x4.6 GHz prime core cluster and a 6x3.62 GHz efficiency cluster. This contrasts with the RedMagic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), employing a more traditional ARM Cortex CPU configuration. The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 should offer superior power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The higher clock speeds of the Oryon cores in the Poco F8 Ultra suggest a performance edge in CPU-bound tasks.

Battery Life

The Poco F8 Ultra delivers an impressive 18:52 hours of active use, showcasing excellent battery life. While the RedMagic 8 Pro+ lacks active use data, its 165W wired charging is a standout feature, achieving a full charge in just 14 minutes. The Poco F8 Ultra’s 100W wired charging (38 minutes to 100%) and 50W wireless charging provide flexibility, but cannot match the RedMagic’s speed. The Poco F8 Ultra’s longer battery life offsets the RedMagic’s faster charging for many users, but those prioritizing minimal downtime will favor the RedMagic.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra if you need a phone that excels in demanding tasks, offers exceptional battery endurance for all-day use, and provides a balanced experience across gaming, productivity, and multimedia. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 8 Pro+ if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds available, are a dedicated mobile gamer who values minimal downtime, and appreciate a more aggressive, gaming-focused aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Poco F8 Ultra generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s 3nm process is designed to improve thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While demanding games will inevitably generate heat, the Poco F8 Ultra’s architecture should mitigate throttling better than the RedMagic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, leading to more sustained performance.
❓ Is the 165W charging on the RedMagic 8 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
While 165W charging is incredibly fast, ZTE likely incorporates safety mechanisms to prevent overcharging and battery degradation. However, consistently utilizing ultra-fast charging *may* contribute to slightly faster battery wear over several years compared to slower charging methods. The Poco F8 Ultra’s 100W charging offers a balance between speed and battery longevity.
❓ How does the CPU architecture of the Poco F8 Ultra (Oryon V3 Phoenix) compare to the standard ARM Cortex cores in the RedMagic 8 Pro+ in real-world applications?
The Oryon V3 Phoenix cores in the Poco F8 Ultra are designed for higher single-core performance, which benefits responsiveness and tasks like app loading. The RedMagic 8 Pro+'s Cortex cores are optimized for efficiency and multi-core performance. The Poco F8 Ultra will likely excel in tasks that heavily rely on single-core speed, while the RedMagic 8 Pro+ may perform slightly better in heavily threaded workloads.