ZTE has been making waves in the smartphone market, and these two devices represent different facets of their strategy. The Axon 50 Ultra aims for a balanced flagship experience, while the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is a dedicated gaming powerhouse. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ decisively wins on raw power and charging speed, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and its incredible 165W charging. However, the Axon 50 Ultra offers a more refined, all-around experience with a potentially better camera system and a more conventional design, making it a strong contender for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 73.1 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.88 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 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 SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), PDAF | 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@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10‑bit video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-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 |
| | BDS Satellite Message (Emergency SOS service) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Transparent |
| Price | - | About 700 EUR |
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
- Excellent camera system
- Sleek and refined design
- Good all-around performance
- 80W fast charging
- Less powerful than Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Charging speed slower than Red Magic
- May not be ideal for hardcore gamers
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Unmatched performance for gaming
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Advanced cooling system
- Gaming-specific features (shoulder triggers)
- Less refined design
- Camera not as strong as Axon 50 Ultra
- Gaming-focused, less versatile for everyday use
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high-quality AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has a slightly brighter display, beneficial for outdoor visibility, and a higher resolution. The Axon 50 Ultra may offer more accurate color calibration for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Axon 50 Ultra is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially with better image processing and low-light performance. While the Red Magic 8 Pro+ has a capable camera, it's not its primary focus. The Axon 50 Ultra's main sensor is likely larger, contributing to better image quality.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ provides a significant performance advantage over the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Axon 50 Ultra. Expect smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the Red Magic. The Red Magic's cooling system is also superior, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. While the Axon 50 Ultra's 80W charging is still fast, it can't compete with the Red Magic's speed. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the Red Magic's efficiency improvements with the newer chipset could give it a slight edge in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is ideal for users seeking a well-rounded flagship with a good camera and a sleek design, prioritizing everyday usability over extreme gaming performance. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear choice for mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and gaming-centric features like shoulder triggers and advanced cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ good for everyday use?
While primarily a gaming phone, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is perfectly usable for everyday tasks. However, its design and features are geared towards gaming, so it might not be as comfortable or aesthetically pleasing as a traditional flagship.
❓ Does the Axon 50 Ultra have good battery life?
The Axon 50 Ultra offers decent battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate usage. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery could provide slightly longer battery life.
