The ZTE Red Magic series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. But how does the older Red Magic 3s stack up against the significantly upgraded Red Magic 8 Pro+? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which is the best choice for your mobile gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner, boasting a vastly superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, incredibly fast 165W charging, and an improved display. However, the 3s remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers seeking solid performance and a dedicated gaming experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE-A, 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, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, September | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.38 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | RGB light panel (on the back)
Pressure sensitive zones
Built-in cooling fan | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Redmagic 2.0 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF | 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 | 8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1920fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mecha Silver, Cyber Shade, Eclipse Black | Black, Transparent |
| Models | NX629J_V1S | - |
| Price | About 820 EUR | About 700 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
- More affordable
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Decent performance for the price
- Good battery life
- Outdated chipset
- Slower charging
- Less impressive display
- Camera is basic
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Incredibly fast 165W charging
- Superior display
- Improved camera system
- Advanced cooling system
- Higher price
- Potentially larger and heavier
- Software updates may be less frequent than flagship brands
Display Comparison
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ features a larger 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and likely better color accuracy and brightness compared to the 3s's 6.67-inch AMOLED. While the 3s has a high contrast ratio, the 8 Pro+'s advancements in panel technology provide a more immersive and visually appealing gaming experience. Expect sharper visuals and smoother gameplay on the 8 Pro+.
Camera Comparison
While neither phone prioritizes camera quality, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has a more advanced camera system. The 3s's camera is adequate for basic photography, but the 8 Pro+ should offer improved image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Specific camera specs are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ offers a massive performance leap over the Snapdragon 855+ in the 3s. Expect significantly faster processing speeds, improved graphics rendering, and better overall responsiveness in demanding games. The 8 Pro+ handles multitasking and resource-intensive applications with ease, while the 3s might show some signs of strain under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. While the 3s has 18W charging, the 8 Pro+ can likely charge from 0% to 100% in under 15 minutes. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), but the 8 Pro+'s charging speed provides a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 3s is ideal for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a dedicated gaming phone with a good screen and decent performance. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is for serious mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and cutting-edge features, regardless of price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ worth the extra money?
If you're a serious mobile gamer and want the best possible performance and charging speed, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the 3s still offers a solid gaming experience.
❓ How do the shoulder triggers work on both phones?
Both phones feature customizable shoulder triggers that can be mapped to on-screen controls for a more immersive gaming experience. The implementation is similar on both devices, though the 8 Pro+ might have slightly improved responsiveness.
