The ZTE nubia Play and Realme GT Neo6 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nubia Play, while older, focuses on delivering a dedicated gaming experience, while the GT Neo6 is a newer device prioritizing speed, particularly in charging, with a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT Neo6 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly faster performance and future-proofing, while the 120W charging is a game-changer. While the nubia Play offers a lower entry price, the GT Neo6’s overall experience justifies the cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 21. Released 2020, April 24 | 2024, May 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2024, May 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.1 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.36 in) | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.38 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | Touch sensitive gaming triggers | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, nubia UI 8.0 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 120W wired, 50% in 10 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 5100 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Silver, Green, Purple |
| Models | NX651J | RMX3852 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 270 EUR |
ZTE nubia Play
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder buttons, if present).
- Potentially longer software support due to established brand.
- Significantly weaker processor performance.
- Slow 30W charging.
- Older chipset may lack modern features.
Realme GT Neo6
- Much faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor.
- Blazing-fast 120W charging.
- More modern features and potentially better camera.
- Higher price compared to the nubia Play.
- Realme’s software can be divisive.
- May require more frequent software updates.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the nubia Play's gaming focus, it likely features a high refresh rate panel, potentially 120Hz, to enhance smoothness. The GT Neo6, being newer, likely boasts a brighter panel with potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery life. Bezels are likely similar, but the GT Neo6 may benefit from more recent display manufacturing techniques for slightly thinner borders. Color accuracy is difficult to assess without specific data, but Realme generally targets vibrant, saturated colors.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the GT Neo6, as a newer device, likely incorporates more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. The nubia Play may focus on software optimizations for gaming-related camera features. The absence of details prevents a detailed analysis of image quality, dynamic range, or low-light performance. We can assume the GT Neo6 will offer a more versatile camera system overall.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Realme GT Neo6’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a significant leap over the nubia Play’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, compared to the 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to a noticeable difference in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance. The 4nm process node of the 8s Gen 3 also provides superior thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The GT Neo6’s likely use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance compared to the nubia Play’s likely LPDDR4X.
Battery Life
The nubia Play’s 30W wired charging is dwarfed by the GT Neo6’s 120W wired charging. The GT Neo6 claims a 50% charge in just 10 minutes, a massive advantage for users who need a quick power boost. While the nubia Play’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the GT Neo6’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The 8s Gen 3’s improved efficiency also contributes to better battery life under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Play if you are on a very tight budget and prioritize a dedicated gaming experience with shoulder buttons, accepting compromises in processing power and charging speed. Buy the Realme GT Neo6 if you value raw performance, incredibly fast charging, and a more modern feature set, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the nubia Play struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G will likely struggle with Genshin Impact at higher settings. You'll need to lower graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the GT Neo6 offers a much smoother experience, even on demanding titles.
❓ How long does it *really* take to fully charge the Realme GT Neo6 with 120W charging?
While Realme claims 50% in 10 minutes, a full 0-100% charge with the 120W charger typically takes around 25-30 minutes. This is still significantly faster than the nubia Play’s 30W charging, which could take well over an hour.
❓ Is the nubia Play still a viable option for mobile gaming in 2024?
The nubia Play can still handle less demanding mobile games, but its age and weaker processor limit its ability to run newer, graphically intensive titles smoothly. It's best suited for casual gamers or those on a very tight budget.
