The gaming smartphone market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R and the Xiaomi Poco F3 GT. Both offer impressive specs at competitive prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco F3 GT takes the crown with its faster charging, slightly better performance, and vibrant display. However, the Red Magic 6R boasts incredible battery life and a dedicated gaming ecosystem. Ultimately, the F3 GT offers a more well-rounded package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China | 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2021, July 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 02 | Available. Released 2021, July 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 161.9 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) | Physical pop-up gaming triggers
IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, Redmagic 4.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (China)
30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International) | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5065 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mercury Silver, Light Blue | Predator Black, Gunmetal Silver |
| Models | NX666J | MZB09C6IN, M2104K10I |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 708156 (v8) | 823354 (v9)
GeekBench: 3486 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R
- Exceptional battery life
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Aggressive cooling system
- Camera performance is average
- Display details are less clear
- International charging slower
Xiaomi Poco F3 GT
- Fast 67W charging
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Excellent performance for the price
- Stylish design
- Battery life not as long as Red Magic 6R
- Camera not class-leading
- No dedicated gaming triggers
Display Comparison
The Poco F3 GT features an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The Red Magic 6R has a high refresh rate display, but details on the panel type are less clear. The Poco's AMOLED gives it a noticeable edge in image quality and contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but neither excels in this area. The Poco F3 GT generally produces slightly more consistent and pleasing images. The Red Magic 6R's camera is adequate but not a standout feature.
Performance
The Snapdragon 888 in the Red Magic 6R is a powerhouse, but the Dimensity 1200 in the Poco F3 GT holds its own, offering excellent performance for gaming and everyday tasks. While benchmarks might show slight differences, real-world performance is generally comparable, though the Poco might have a slight edge in sustained performance due to better thermal management.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 6R's battery life is a major selling point, with an endurance rating of 76 hours. The Poco F3 GT, while offering good battery life, doesn't quite match the Red Magic's longevity. However, the Poco F3 GT's 67W charging significantly reduces charging times.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers prioritizing battery life and a dedicated gaming experience. The Xiaomi Poco F3 GT is a great choice for those seeking a balance of performance, display quality, and fast charging at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both are good for gaming, but the Red Magic 6R has dedicated gaming triggers and potentially better sustained performance due to its cooling system. The Poco F3 GT offers a smoother display with its AMOLED panel.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Xiaomi Poco F3 GT charges significantly faster with its 67W wired charging, reaching 100% in around 42 minutes.
❓ Is the Red Magic 6R worth it if I don't game often?
Probably not. The Red Magic 6R's strengths lie in its gaming features and battery life. If you're not a frequent gamer, the Poco F3 GT offers a more well-rounded experience.
