The tech world offers a vast array of choices, and sometimes the comparison seems almost absurd. Today, we're pitting a smartwatch, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2, against a powerhouse gaming phone, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+. Can a wearable compete with a flagship? Let's find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner for overall performance and features. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, blazing-fast charging, and gaming-centric design are unmatched. The Redmi Watch 2 excels as a budget-friendly smartwatch, but it's in a completely different category.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 28 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 11 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 39.1 x 34.4 x 10 mm (1.54 x 1.35 x 0.39 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 31 g (1.09 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | Waterproof (5ATM)
50m water resistant | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 360 x 320 pixels (~301 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.6 inches | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | 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) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | - | 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 | - | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | - | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, compass, SpO2 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Ion 225 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Ivory | Black, Transparent |
| Models | M2102W1 | - |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2
- Affordable
- Fitness tracking
- Notification alerts
- Long battery life (for a smartwatch)
- Limited functionality
- Basic camera
- Smaller display
- Less powerful processor
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Exceptional performance
- Blazing-fast charging
- Gaming-focused features
- Stunning display
- High-resolution camera
- Expensive
- Large size
- Gaming-centric design may not appeal to everyone
- Potentially shorter battery life with heavy use
Display Comparison
The nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ boasts a large, vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, perfect for immersive gaming. The Redmi Watch 2 has a smaller, rectangular color display, suitable for glancing at notifications and fitness data, but lacks the visual impact of the Red Magic.
Camera Comparison
The nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ features a high-resolution camera system capable of capturing detailed photos and videos. The Redmi Watch 2 has a basic camera for taking quick snapshots, but image quality is significantly lower.
Performance
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers unparalleled performance, handling demanding games and applications with ease. The Redmi Watch 2’s performance is limited to basic smartwatch tasks and fitness tracking, relying on a less powerful processor.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s large battery and 165W charging offer exceptional battery life and incredibly fast charging speeds. The Redmi Watch 2 has a smaller battery, providing adequate battery life for a few days of typical use.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking basic smartwatch functionality like fitness tracking and notifications. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is for hardcore mobile gamers and power users who demand top-tier performance, a stunning display, and advanced cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Redmi Watch 2 run apps like a smartphone?
No, the Redmi Watch 2 primarily functions as a smartwatch and fitness tracker. It has limited app support and relies on a connected smartphone for most functionalities.
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ good for everyday use, or just gaming?
While optimized for gaming, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is a capable smartphone for everyday tasks. Its powerful processor and large display make it suitable for browsing, streaming, and productivity.
