The ZTE Red Magic series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones, but the latest iterations push the boundaries even further. We're pitting the Red Magic 6s Pro against the newer Red Magic 8 Pro+ to see which one offers the best gaming experience and overall value. Get ready for a deep dive into specs, performance, and features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a brighter display, and incredibly fast 165W charging. While the 6s Pro remains a capable device, the 8 Pro+’s advancements make it the superior choice for serious mobile gamers.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 06 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 27 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.5 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.37 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 | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing)
Sliding trigger on the back
Built-in cooling fan
RGB Light | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 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 4.5 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| 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) | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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/6e, 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, 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) | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Transparent, White | Black, Transparent |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 700 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 6s Pro
- Excellent performance for its price
- High refresh rate display
- Fast 120W charging
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Older chipset compared to competitors
- Camera performance is average
- Design might not appeal to everyone
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Likely improved display quality
- Advanced camera system
- Under-display front camera
- Higher price point
- Potential software quirks (common with new devices)
- Large size and weight
Display Comparison
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ features a brighter and likely more color-accurate AMOLED display, potentially with improved HDR capabilities compared to the 6s Pro. Both offer high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher) for smooth gaming, but the 8 Pro+’s advancements in display technology give it an edge. The 6s Pro's display is still excellent, offering a great viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While gaming is the focus, camera performance matters. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. The 6s Pro's camera is decent, but not a standout feature. Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality from the 8 Pro+.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 888+ in the 6s Pro. Expect significantly faster processing speeds, improved graphics performance, and better power efficiency. The 8 Pro+ will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the 6s Pro might show some limitations in the most graphically intensive titles.
Battery Life
Both phones offer large batteries and fast charging. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The 6s Pro's 120W charging is still very fast, but the 8 Pro+ takes it to another level. Battery life endurance is likely similar, given comparable battery capacities.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s Pro is a great option for budget-conscious gamers who still want a powerful device with a high refresh rate display and solid performance. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is for those who demand the absolute best in mobile gaming, prioritizing top-tier performance, cutting-edge features, and blazing-fast charging, regardless of price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ worth the upgrade from the Red Magic 6s Pro?
If you prioritize the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and a potentially improved camera, then yes. However, the 6s Pro remains a capable gaming phone, and the upgrade cost might not be justified for everyone.
❓ Do both phones have shoulder triggers for gaming?
Yes, both the Red Magic 6s Pro and the Red Magic 8 Pro+ feature the signature shoulder triggers for enhanced gaming control.
