ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: A Clash of Titans

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s was a gaming powerhouse, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) offered incredible value and features. But which phone truly delivers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) takes the crown for overall value, boasting blazing-fast 67W charging and a versatile camera. However, the Red Magic 3s still holds its own with the Snapdragon 855+ and dedicated gaming features, making it a solid choice for mobile gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / 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 - NACDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, September2021, May 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2019, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2021, June 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.38 in)163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g (7.58 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones Built-in cooling fanIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Redmagic 2.0Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1920fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by JBL
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC467W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 42 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMecha Silver, Cyber Shade, Eclipse BlackStargaze Black, Wave Blue, Cloud White
ModelsNX629J_V1S-
PriceAbout 820 EURAbout 200 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

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
  • Excellent battery life
  • High refresh rate display

  • Slower charging speed
  • Less impressive camera
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China)

  • Blazing-fast 67W charging
  • Versatile and capable camera system
  • Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
  • Excellent value for money

  • Performance slightly behind the Red Magic 3s in demanding games
  • Dimensity 1100 can throttle under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) features a 120Hz AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Red Magic 3s has a high refresh rate display (likely 120Hz, though specifics are less clear), but the Redmi Note 10 Pro's AMOLED technology gives it a noticeable edge in contrast and color accuracy. The Red Magic 3s' 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term and doesn't provide concrete data.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) shines in the camera department with a versatile quad-camera setup, likely including a high-resolution main sensor. The Red Magic 3s' camera is adequate, but not a primary focus, and likely lacks the advanced features of the Redmi Note 10 Pro. Expect better image quality and more shooting modes on the Redmi.

Performance

The Snapdragon 855+ in the Red Magic 3s is a powerful chip, still capable of handling demanding games. However, the Dimensity 1100 in the Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) is surprisingly competitive, offering excellent performance for everyday tasks and even some gaming. The Dimensity 1100's efficiency also contributes to better thermal management.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 3s boasts an impressive endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) completely dominates in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, capable of fully charging in just 42 minutes. While the Red Magic 3s has 18W charging, it's significantly slower.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s is ideal for serious mobile gamers who prioritize performance and dedicated gaming features like shoulder triggers. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) is perfect for users seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a great display, fast charging, and a capable camera at an affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 3s still a good gaming phone in 2023?
Yes, the Red Magic 3s remains a capable gaming phone thanks to its powerful processor and dedicated gaming features. However, newer phones offer better performance and features.
❓ Which phone has better battery life overall?
While both have good battery life, the Red Magic 3s generally offers longer endurance, but the Redmi Note 10 Pro's faster charging makes up for it.