The ZTE Red Magic series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. But with the Red Magic 6s and Red Magic 6, which one offers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 6s boasts a slightly faster processor and improved cooling, offering a marginal performance edge. However, the Red Magic 6’s significantly faster charging and impressive battery life make it a compelling alternative, especially considering its often lower price. It's a close call, leaning slightly towards the 6s for pure performance.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 78 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 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 27 | Available. Released 2021, March 11 |
| 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) | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing)
Sliding trigger on the back
Built-in cooling fan
RGB Light | Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 630 nits (typ) |
| 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, Redmagic 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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) | 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| 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 3.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| 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, heart rate | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD3.0, QC5 | 66W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 38 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Transparent | Eclipse Black, Aurora |
| Models | - | NX669J |
| Price | About 500 EUR | $ 890.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-21.4 LUFS (Excellent)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 708853 (v8)
GeekBench: 3586 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s
- Slightly faster Snapdragon 888+ processor
- Improved cooling system
- 144Hz AMOLED display
- Gaming-focused features (shoulder triggers)
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Potentially higher price
- Camera not a standout
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6
- Significantly faster charging (66W)
- Excellent battery life (88h endurance)
- 144Hz AMOLED display
- Gaming-focused features (shoulder triggers)
- Often more affordable
- Slightly less powerful processor than 6s
- Cooling system slightly less effective under sustained load
- Camera not a standout
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive gaming experience. While both boast excellent color accuracy and brightness, the Red Magic 6's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term for near-perfect black levels) is a slight advantage. However, the difference is minimal in real-world use.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is similar on both devices. Both feature a triple-camera setup, likely with a primary sensor around 64MP. Image quality is decent for a gaming phone, but neither excels in photography compared to flagship devices. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Red Magic 6s holds a slight edge here. Its Snapdragon 888+ offers a modest CPU and GPU boost over the Red Magic 6's Snapdragon 888. This translates to slightly faster load times and marginally better frame rates in demanding games. Both phones benefit from robust cooling systems, but the 6s's improvements are noticeable under sustained load.
Battery Life
This is where the Red Magic 6 shines. Its 66W charging is significantly faster than the 6s's 30W, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The Red Magic 6 also boasts an impressive endurance rating of 88h, suggesting superior battery life overall. The 6s's battery capacity is likely similar, but the slower charging negates some of that advantage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s is ideal for hardcore gamers who prioritize raw performance and are willing to pay a premium for it. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 is a fantastic choice for gamers who value fast charging, long battery life, and a more budget-friendly price point without sacrificing too much performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ in the Red Magic 6s a big upgrade over the 888?
It's a noticeable but not massive upgrade. Expect around a 5-10% performance increase in demanding tasks and games.
❓ Are the shoulder triggers useful on both phones?
Yes, the shoulder triggers are a key feature for gaming, providing customizable button mapping and enhanced control.
