ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S vs OnePlus 10 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S is a dedicated gaming phone, prioritizing performance and cooling. The OnePlus 10 Pro, on the other hand, aims for a more balanced flagship experience. But which one offers the best value and features for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 10 Pro takes the crown for overall versatility, boasting faster charging, a brighter display, and a more refined software experience. However, the Red Magic 5S remains a compelling choice for hardcore mobile gamers seeking raw power and dedicated gaming features, albeit with some compromises.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2020, July 282022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, August 01Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions168.6 x 78 x 9.8 mm (6.64 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (300Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fanIP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144HzLTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 10, Redmagic 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
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, barometer
Battery
Charging55W wired, 56% in 15 min, 100% in 40 min (advertised)80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, PulseVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
Models-NE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 540 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 83h Endurance rating 107h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -22.6 LUFS (Excellent) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 557056 (v8) GeekBench: 13400 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S

  • Exceptional gaming performance
  • Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
  • Effective cooling system
  • Fast charging (55W)

  • Camera performance is average
  • Less vibrant display
  • Software experience less polished than OnePlus
  • Design focused solely on gaming

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Excellent camera system
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Fast charging (80W wired, 50W wireless)
  • Refined software experience
  • Versatile flagship features

  • Performance can throttle under extreme load
  • Design less distinctive than Red Magic 5S
  • Price point is higher

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro's 780 nits peak brightness gives it a significant edge in outdoor visibility. Both phones have 'infinite' contrast ratios (a nominal term), but the OnePlus 10 Pro's display is generally considered superior due to its higher brightness and color accuracy. The Red Magic 5S display is good, but not as vibrant or easily viewable in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro consistently receives praise for its camera system, offering excellent image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. The Red Magic 5S's camera is adequate but not a primary strength, often producing less detailed and vibrant images. OnePlus's Hasselblad partnership contributes to its superior color science.

Performance

While both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 series, the OnePlus 10 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) generally offers slightly better efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Red Magic 5S's Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The OnePlus 10 Pro's CPU architecture also provides a slight edge in multi-core tasks. However, the Red Magic 5S's cooling system is designed to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings, but the OnePlus 10 Pro's 107h rating suggests slightly better real-world battery life. The OnePlus 10 Pro also features significantly faster charging speeds (80W wired, 50W wireless) compared to the Red Magic 5S's 55W wired charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S if you're a serious mobile gamer who prioritizes performance above all else and appreciates dedicated gaming features like shoulder triggers. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you want a well-rounded flagship with a great camera, fast charging, and a smooth user experience for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 5S good for everyday use?
While functional, the Red Magic 5S is primarily designed for gaming. Its software and design are geared towards that purpose, which might not appeal to everyone for daily tasks.
❓ Does the OnePlus 10 Pro get hot during gaming?
The OnePlus 10 Pro can experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, although OnePlus has implemented optimizations to mitigate this. The Red Magic 5S's dedicated cooling system is generally more effective at managing heat.