ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro vs Apple iPhone 8: A Clash of Titans

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro is a powerhouse designed for mobile gaming, boasting cutting-edge specs and rapid charging. The Apple iPhone 8, while older, remains a popular choice thanks to its iOS ecosystem and enduring appeal. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Red Magic 6 Pro dominates in raw power and charging speed, making it ideal for gamers. However, the iPhone 8 offers a more polished software experience and the benefits of the Apple ecosystem. For pure performance, the Red Magic wins; for overall usability and longevity, the iPhone 8 holds its own.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro Apple iPhone 8
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, March 042017, September 12. Released 2017, September 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 11Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)148 g (5.22 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fanIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassIon-strengthened glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ)Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
 -3D Touch display & home button
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Apple A11 Bionic (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Apple GPU (three-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.0iOS 11, up to iOS 16.7.12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM
 UFS 3.1NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, (macro)-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRFace detection, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm7 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorLightning, USB 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, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International)15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)
Talk time-Up to 14 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China modelLi-Ion 1821 mAh, non-removable (6.96 Wh)
Misc
ColorsEclipse Black, Moon SilverSilver, Space Gray, Gold, Red
ModelsNX669J-PA1863, A1905, A1906, A1907, iPhone10,1, iPhone10,4
PriceAbout 960 EURAbout 210 EUR
SAR-1.32 W/kg (head)     1.36 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.19 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -80.4dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 66h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1395:1 (nominal), 3.957 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 71dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 80dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 237594 (v7) GeekBench: 10214 (v4.4) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 888 processor
  • 165Hz high refresh rate display
  • Incredibly fast 120W charging (International Version)
  • Excellent cooling system for gaming
  • Large battery capacity

  • Software can be less polished than iOS
  • Camera performance not as consistent as iPhone
  • Design may not appeal to everyone
  • Availability can be limited in some regions

Apple iPhone 8

  • Mature and polished iOS ecosystem
  • Excellent camera with consistent image quality
  • Compact and pocketable design
  • Strong resale value
  • Wireless charging (Qi)

  • Outdated processor compared to modern phones
  • Slow charging speed
  • Smaller display
  • Limited storage options
  • Older technology

Display Comparison

The Red Magic 6 Pro features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, offering incredibly smooth visuals, especially for gaming. The iPhone 8 has a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display. While the iPhone 8's contrast ratio is respectable, the Red Magic 6 Pro's larger size, higher refresh rate, and vibrant AMOLED panel provide a significantly more immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 8's camera is known for its consistent image quality and ease of use. The Red Magic 6 Pro typically features a higher resolution main sensor, but image processing and software optimization are key. While the Red Magic 6 Pro might offer more detail, the iPhone 8's computational photography often results in more pleasing and natural-looking photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities are also generally better on the iPhone.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888 in the Red Magic 6 Pro is a beast, easily handling demanding games and applications. The iPhone 8's A11 Bionic chip, while still capable, is noticeably slower. The Red Magic 6 Pro's 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite its higher performance.

Battery Life

The Red Magic 6 Pro's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The iPhone 8's 15W charging is significantly slower. While both phones offer decent battery life, the Red Magic 6 Pro's larger battery capacity and efficient chipset give it a slight edge in endurance, especially with heavy gaming.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro is perfect for hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize performance, high refresh rates, and fast charging. The Apple iPhone 8 is a good choice for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem, seeking a reliable and familiar smartphone experience, and who don't need the latest and greatest specs.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Red Magic 6 Pro good for everyday use?
While primarily a gaming phone, the Red Magic 6 Pro is perfectly usable for everyday tasks. However, the software experience might not be as refined as iOS.
❓ Will the iPhone 8 receive future iOS updates?
Apple has ended software support for the iPhone 8. It will not receive any further iOS updates.