ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro vs. OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Flagship Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset, coupled with a superior cooling system and blazing-fast 120W charging, delivers unmatched sustained performance. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro remains a compelling choice for users prioritizing camera quality, a refined software experience, and wireless charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| 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 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 06 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 27 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.5 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Pressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing) Sliding trigger on the back Built-in cooling fan RGB Light | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ) | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, Redmagic 4.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 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 (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 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) | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 17 min (China) 66W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 65 min (International) | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Transparent, White | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | - | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 97h | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -21.4 LUFS (Excellent) | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 758329 (v8), 870708 (v9) GeekBench: 14612 (v4.4), 3664 (v5.1) GFXBench: 62fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro
- Blazing-fast 120W charging (China) / 66W (International)
- Superior thermal management for sustained gaming
- Slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
- Camera likely inferior to OnePlus 9 Pro
- Software experience may be less refined
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Excellent camera system with Hasselblad tuning
- Polished software experience with timely updates
- Convenient wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower charging speeds compared to Red Magic 6s Pro
- More prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones utilize AMOLED panels, but their approaches differ. The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 859 nits, providing excellent visibility in bright sunlight. While the Red Magic 6s Pro’s contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), specific brightness data is absent; however, its focus is on a high refresh rate for smoother gaming. The OnePlus 9 Pro likely benefits from color calibration and accuracy, typical of OnePlus flagships, while the Red Magic 6s Pro prioritizes responsiveness. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone means refresh rate scaling isn't as power-efficient as newer panels.
Camera Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro distinguishes itself with a more comprehensive camera system, though specific details beyond 'Photo / Video' are missing. OnePlus flagships are known for their Hasselblad-tuned color science and versatile lens options. The Red Magic 6s Pro, while likely equipped with a capable camera, prioritizes gaming features over photographic prowess. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Red Magic suggests it won’t compete with the 9 Pro in image quality or versatility. Users seeking a flagship camera experience will strongly favor the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Performance
The nubia Red Magic 6s Pro edges out the OnePlus 9 Pro with its Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked slightly higher at 3.0 GHz versus the 9 Pro’s 2.84 GHz Snapdragon 888. While both utilize the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), the ‘+’ variant offers a modest performance boost. Crucially, the Red Magic 6s Pro is engineered for sustained performance with advanced cooling solutions, mitigating thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions – a common issue with the Snapdragon 888. Both phones feature ample RAM, but the Red Magic’s thermal design is the key differentiator for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The nubia Red Magic 6s Pro boasts an endurance rating of 97 hours, significantly exceeding the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 86 hours. This is largely attributable to its aggressive power management and focus on gaming optimization. However, the real story is charging speed. The Red Magic 6s Pro supports a staggering 120W wired charging (in China) or 66W internationally, achieving a full charge in just 17 or 65 minutes respectively. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W wired charging takes 29 minutes, while its 50W wireless charging adds another 43 minutes. The Red Magic’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro if you demand the highest possible frame rates in demanding mobile games, require exceptionally fast charging, and prioritize thermal management above all else. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value a versatile camera system, a polished software experience with timely updates, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means sacrificing some raw gaming power.