The ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s was a gaming powerhouse, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 aimed for broader appeal. But which phone holds up best today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S20 FE 2022 offers a more balanced experience with a better camera, software support, and overall versatility. While the Red Magic 3s boasts raw gaming power and a massive battery, its aging software and limited appeal outside of gaming make the S20 FE the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66 - Global | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - NA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September | 2022, April 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, September | Available. Released 2022, April 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.38 in) | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | RGB light panel (on the back)
Pressure sensitive zones
Built-in cooling fan | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Redmagic 2.0 | Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1920fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio
Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mecha Silver, Cyber Shade, Eclipse Black | Cloud White, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Navy |
| Models | NX629J_V1S | SM-G781NK, SM-G781NK22 |
| Price | About 820 EUR | About 520 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -92.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 115h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 84dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 358748 (v7), 495229 (v8)
GeekBench: 11310 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Massive 5000mAh battery
- 144Hz display
- Advanced cooling system
- Outdated software
- Limited camera capabilities
- Less versatile than competitors
- Design primarily focused on gaming
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022
- Excellent camera system
- Smooth performance with Snapdragon 865
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Long-term software support
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
- Battery life not as impressive as Red Magic 3s
- Charging speed could be faster
- Design is somewhat generic
Display Comparison
The Red Magic 3s features a 144Hz display, a significant advantage for fast-paced gaming. However, the S20 FE 2022's AMOLED panel offers superior color accuracy and contrast, making it better for media consumption and general use. Both have FHD+ resolution, but the S20 FE's display is arguably more visually pleasing.
Camera Comparison
The S20 FE 2022 clearly wins in the camera department. It offers a more versatile camera system with better image quality, especially in low light. The Red Magic 3s' camera is adequate but lacks the features and refinement of the S20 FE.
Performance
Both phones pack powerful processors. The Red Magic 3s has the Snapdragon 855+, while the S20 FE 2022 uses the Snapdragon 865 5G. The 865 offers a slight edge in raw processing power and 5G connectivity. The Red Magic 3s' cooling system is designed for sustained gaming performance, preventing throttling.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 3s boasts an impressive 5000mAh battery and an endurance rating of 115h, significantly outperforming the S20 FE 2022's 4500mAh battery. However, the S20 FE 2022's faster 25W charging partially compensates for the smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers prioritizing performance and battery life above all else. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 is perfect for users seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a great camera, smooth performance, and long-term software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 3s still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're a dedicated mobile gamer on a tight budget and prioritize raw performance above all else. Be aware of the outdated software and limited support.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 has significantly better software support, including guaranteed updates for a longer period.
