ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G vs. Realme X50 Pro 5G: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Power

Both the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G and the Realme X50 Pro 5G arrived in 2020 as flagship contenders powered by the Snapdragon 865. However, they targeted different audiences. The Red Magic 5G prioritized raw gaming performance with aggressive cooling, while the X50 Pro aimed for a more balanced experience with a focus on fast charging and a bright display. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone remains a compelling option today.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and fast charging, the Realme X50 Pro 5G edges out the Red Magic 5G. Its 65W charging and slightly better battery endurance offer a more convenient experience. However, gamers seeking maximum sustained performance will find the Red Magic 5G’s cooling and gaming-centric features more valuable.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Realme X50 Pro 5G
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 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - Global
5G bands41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2020, March 122020, February 24. Released 2020, March 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, March 19Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions168.6 x 78 x 9.8 mm (6.64 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)159 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight218 g (7.69 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144HzSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Redmagic 3.0Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.5, 54mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)-
Video8K@15fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired, 56% in 15 min, 100% in 40 min (advertised)65W wired, PD, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsEclipse Black, Hot Rod Red, Black, Mars Red, Cyber Neon, TransparentMoss Green, Rust Red
ModelsNX659JRMX2075, RMX2071, RMX2076
Price$ 890.00About 360 EUR
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 83h Endurance rating 90h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -22.6 LUFS (Excellent) -23.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 557056 (v8) GeekBench: 13370 (v4.4), 3387 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 592447 (v8) GeekBench: 3175 (v5.1) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G

  • Superior cooling system for sustained gaming
  • Potentially higher refresh rate display
  • Gaming-focused features (e.g., shoulder buttons)

  • Shorter battery life
  • Slower charging speed
  • Likely less refined camera system

Realme X50 Pro 5G

  • Faster 65W charging with PD
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Slightly better battery endurance

  • Potential for thermal throttling during extended gaming
  • Less focused on gaming-specific features
  • May lack the Red Magic's aggressive cooling

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the Realme X50 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 635 nits, a significant advantage over the Red Magic 5G, making it more usable outdoors. While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels (a common feature for 865 phones), the Red Magic 5G’s focus on gaming suggests a potentially higher refresh rate or more aggressive refresh rate management for smoother gameplay. The X50 Pro’s higher brightness is a clear win for content consumption in bright environments.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited in the provided data. Given the Red Magic 5G’s gaming focus, it’s likely the camera system is a secondary consideration. The X50 Pro, positioned as a more mainstream flagship, likely prioritizes camera quality with potentially larger sensors and more sophisticated image processing. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the X50 Pro likely offers a more versatile and capable camera experience.

Performance

Both phones are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), utilizing the same octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Therefore, raw CPU performance will be nearly identical. The key differentiator lies in thermal management. The Red Magic 5G is known for its advanced cooling system, including a fan and vapor chamber, designed to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions. The X50 Pro, while capable, lacks this dedicated cooling, potentially leading to performance dips under sustained load. This makes the Red Magic 5G the superior choice for demanding mobile gamers.

Battery Life

The Realme X50 Pro 5G holds a slight edge in battery endurance with a rating of 90 hours, compared to the Red Magic 5G’s 83 hours. However, the charging speeds are where the X50 Pro truly shines. Its 65W wired charging, with Power Delivery (PD) support, can fully charge the battery in 35 minutes. The Red Magic 5G’s 55W charging is still fast, reaching 56% in 15 minutes and 100% in 40 minutes, but the X50 Pro offers a quicker top-up. The X50 Pro’s combination of slightly better endurance and significantly faster charging provides a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G if you need uncompromising gaming performance, a high refresh rate display for competitive titles, and are willing to trade some camera quality and battery life for sustained frame rates. Buy the Realme X50 Pro 5G if you prefer a more versatile phone with a brighter display, significantly faster charging, and a more balanced camera system for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Red Magic 5G's fan create noticeable noise during gaming?
The Red Magic 5G's fan is designed to be relatively quiet, but it is audible under heavy load. Users report that the noise is generally acceptable and a worthwhile trade-off for the improved thermal performance and sustained frame rates during demanding games.
❓ Is the Realme X50 Pro 5G's 65W charging compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
The Realme X50 Pro 5G supports USB Power Delivery (PD), but to achieve the full 65W charging speed, you'll need a charger specifically rated for that wattage and PD compatibility. Using a lower-wattage PD charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
❓ Will either phone overheat significantly during prolonged use of the camera?
While both phones have the Snapdragon 865, the Red Magic 5G's cooling system is more robust. Therefore, it's less likely to overheat during extended camera use compared to the X50 Pro, which may experience some throttling after prolonged video recording or high-resolution photo bursts.