ZTE’s nubia sub-brand offers a compelling duality: the nubia Air, a more accessible gaming phone focused on endurance, and the Red Magic 8 Pro+, a no-compromise flagship built for peak performance. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, helping you determine if prioritizing raw power or sustained usability aligns with your gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly higher performance, and the 165W charging drastically reduces downtime. However, the nubia Air presents a compelling value proposition for those prioritizing battery life and a lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 05 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 16 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.6 x 6.7 mm (6.46 x 3.02 x 0.26 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 | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 5 | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2720 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~440 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 4500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T8300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP2 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Features | LED flash | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | 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 | 33W wired | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Black, Titanium Desert | Black, Transparent |
| Models | Z2468N | - |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 49:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class D (46 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
ZTE nubia Air
- Exceptional battery endurance (49:00h)
- More affordable price point
- 1000 charge cycles promise long-term reliability
- Significantly lower performance compared to the Pro+
- Older chipset architecture (Unisoc T8300)
- Slower charging speed (33W)
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Ultra-fast 165W charging (14 min 0-100%)
- Likely superior camera system
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
- May generate more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both devices are geared towards immersive gaming, details on the nubia Air’s display are limited. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ benefits from a modern panel manufacturing process (4nm chipset) which allows for higher sustained brightness and efficiency. The nubia Air’s Unisoc T8300, being a 6nm chip, will likely exhibit lower peak brightness and potentially more heat generation under load, impacting sustained display performance. The absence of LTPO technology in the Air, if present in the Pro+, would further contribute to the Pro+'s efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the nubia Air are sparse. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system, typical of flagship devices. While megapixel counts aren’t the sole determinant of image quality, the Pro+ likely boasts a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Pro+ would also provide a significant advantage in low-light conditions and video recording. The Air’s camera is likely geared towards basic functionality, while the Pro+ aims for a more comprehensive photographic experience.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a flagship chipset featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, alongside Cortex-A715 and A710 performance cores, and efficient A510 cores. This contrasts sharply with the nubia Air’s Unisoc T8300 (6nm), which utilizes older Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architectural advantages and smaller node size translate to significantly higher CPU and GPU performance, and improved thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Pro+ also benefits from faster RAM (likely LPDDR5x) compared to the Air, further boosting responsiveness.
Battery Life
The nubia Air boasts a 49:00h endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ compensates for a potentially smaller battery (spec not provided) with its groundbreaking 165W wired charging, capable of a full charge in just 14 minutes (advertised). This rapid charging capability dramatically reduces downtime, making the Pro+ more convenient for users who frequently game or consume media. While the Air offers longevity, the Pro+ offers speed and convenience, effectively mitigating any potential battery capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Air if you need a reliable gaming experience with exceptional battery life and aren’t demanding the absolute highest frame rates. It’s ideal for casual gamers and those who value longevity over bleeding-edge performance. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ if you prioritize maximum gaming performance, rapid charging, and are willing to pay a premium for a flagship-level experience. This is the phone for competitive gamers and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T8300 in the nubia Air struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Unisoc T8300, while capable, is significantly less powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Expect lower frame rates and potentially more noticeable frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. You may need to lower graphics settings to achieve a playable experience.
❓ How does the 165W charging on the Red Magic 8 Pro+ affect battery health over time?
While 165W charging is incredibly fast, ZTE likely incorporates intelligent charging algorithms to mitigate potential battery degradation. These algorithms typically slow down the charging rate as the battery approaches full capacity, minimizing heat and stress. However, consistently using ultra-fast charging *can* contribute to slightly faster battery wear over the long term compared to slower charging methods.
❓ Is the nubia Air a good choice for competitive mobile gaming?
The nubia Air is not ideally suited for competitive mobile gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ provides the sustained performance and lower latency required for a competitive edge. The Air's Unisoc T8300 may struggle to maintain consistently high frame rates during intense gameplay.
❓ Does the Red Magic 8 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more thermally efficient than previous generations, but it can still generate heat under sustained load. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely incorporates advanced cooling solutions (vapor chamber, fan) to mitigate overheating and maintain performance. However, some throttling may still occur during extremely demanding gaming sessions.
