The ZTE Red Magic series has carved a niche for itself as a powerhouse of gaming smartphones. But with new models constantly emerging, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Red Magic 6R, a solid mid-range option, against the flagship Red Magic 8 Pro+, to see which offers the best gaming experience and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a revolutionary 165W charging speed, and an improved camera system. However, the 6R remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking a capable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 02 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 11, Redmagic 4.0 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| 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/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (China)
30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International) | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mercury Silver, Light Blue | Black, Transparent |
| Models | NX666J | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| 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
- Excellent battery life
- Good value for money
- Decent gaming performance
- Large display
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Less premium build quality
- Camera not as impressive
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Superior camera system
- Premium design and build
- Advanced cooling system
- Higher price
- Potentially shorter battery life than 6R (despite fast charging)
- May be overkill for casual gamers
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (144Hz on the 8 Pro+ and 120Hz on the 6R), offering smooth visuals. The 8 Pro+ likely has better color accuracy and brightness due to its newer panel technology and potentially higher resolution, though specific details are not provided. The 6R's display is still excellent for gaming.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the 8 Pro+ is expected to have a superior camera setup. The 8 Pro+ likely features a higher resolution main sensor, improved image processing, and potentially additional lenses for enhanced versatility. The 6R's camera is adequate for casual photography.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the 8 Pro+ is a generational leap over the Snapdragon 888 in the 6R. Expect significantly faster processing speeds, smoother gameplay, and better multitasking on the 8 Pro+. The 8 Pro+'s advanced cooling system will also help maintain peak performance for longer gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The 6R boasts an impressive endurance rating of 76h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in just 14 minutes – a massive advantage over the 6R's slower charging speeds (55W/30W).
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R is ideal for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a dedicated gaming phone with a decent processor and large battery. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is for serious gamers who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and premium features, regardless of price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ worth the extra money?
If you're a serious gamer who wants the absolute best performance and fastest charging, then yes. The 8 Pro+ offers a significant upgrade over the 6R.
❓ How does the cooling system on the 8 Pro+ compare to the 6R?
The 8 Pro+ features an advanced cooling system with a larger vapor chamber and more heat pipes, allowing it to maintain peak performance for longer gaming sessions compared to the 6R.
