ZTE Red Magic 6 Pro vs 6s Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The ZTE Red Magic series has carved a niche for itself as a powerhouse of gaming smartphones. But with the Red Magic 6 Pro and 6s Pro, which one offers the superior experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Red Magic 6s Pro edges out the 6 Pro thanks to its slightly faster Snapdragon 888+, improved charging speeds (especially in China), and impressive battery life. However, the 6 Pro remains a compelling option, particularly if you find it at a lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, March 042021, September 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 11Available. Released 2021, September 27
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)169.9 x 77.2 x 9.5 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) Built-in cooling fanPressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing) Sliding trigger on the back Built-in cooling fan RGB Light
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ)AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Redmagic 4.0Android 11, Redmagic 4.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
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)64 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@30/60/120/240fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International)120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 17 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 65 min (International)
TypeLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China modelLi-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model
Misc
ColorsEclipse Black, Moon SilverEclipse Black, Transparent, White
ModelsNX669J-P-
PriceAbout 960 EURAbout 600 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -21.4 LUFS (Excellent)
Performance- AnTuTu: 758329 (v8), 870708 (v9) GeekBench: 14612 (v4.4), 3664 (v5.1) GFXBench: 62fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro

  • Excellent cooling system
  • High refresh rate display
  • Fast charging (66W international)
  • Competitive price

  • Camera performance could be better
  • Slightly less powerful than 6s Pro
  • International charging slower than China version

ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Improved battery life
  • Faster charging (120W China)
  • Excellent display

  • Higher price
  • Camera performance similar to 6 Pro
  • International charging slower than China version

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering a vibrant and smooth gaming experience. The 6s Pro boasts a slightly improved contrast ratio (Infinite vs nominal), but the difference is likely minimal in real-world use. Both have excellent touch sampling rates for responsive gameplay.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is similar on both devices. They both feature a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is decent for a gaming phone, but not a primary strength. Low-light performance is adequate, but not exceptional. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

The 6s Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ provides a noticeable performance boost over the 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 888, particularly in demanding games and multitasking. While both are incredibly fast, the 6s Pro handles sustained loads slightly better due to the improved chip and potentially refined cooling system. Expect smoother frame rates and less thermal throttling on the 6s Pro.

Battery Life

The 6s Pro shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 97 hours. While both have a 5000mAh battery, the 6s Pro’s improved efficiency contributes to significantly longer usage. Charging speeds are faster on the 6s Pro, especially in China with the 120W charger (17 minutes to 100%) compared to the 6 Pro (5 minutes to 50%). International versions see a more moderate difference.

Buying Guide

The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro is ideal for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a high-performance device with excellent cooling. The Red Magic 6s Pro is the better choice for those prioritizing peak performance, faster charging, and extended battery life, and are willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ in the 6s Pro a significant upgrade?
Yes, the 888+ offers a noticeable performance boost, especially in sustained gaming and demanding tasks. It generally results in smoother frame rates and less thermal throttling.
❓ Are the charging speeds the same globally for both phones?
No. The Chinese versions of both phones have significantly faster charging (120W for 6s Pro, 120W for 6 Pro). International versions are limited to 66W charging.