The ZTE Red Magic series has carved a niche for itself as a powerhouse of gaming smartphones. But with multiple iterations, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Red Magic 6s against the Red Magic 6 Pro to determine which offers the best gaming experience and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 6 Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging and slightly improved CPU clock speeds. While the 6s is a strong contender, the Pro's charging speed and minor performance edge make it the superior choice for serious 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 | 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 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB 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 | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 5 min (China)
66W wired, PD3.0, QC5 (International) |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable - International modelLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable - China model |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Transparent | Eclipse Black, Moon Silver |
| Models | - | NX669J-P |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 960 EUR |
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s
- Powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
- 144Hz AMOLED display
- Excellent cooling system
- Competitive price
- Slower 30W charging
- Camera performance is average
- Design might not appeal to everyone
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6 Pro
- Blazing-fast 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging
- Slightly better CPU performance
- Premium build quality
- Under-display front camera
- Higher price
- Minor performance difference compared to 6s
- Camera still not a standout
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering a vibrant and smooth gaming experience. The 6 Pro might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its Pro designation, but the difference is minimal. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is similar on both devices. Expect a 64MP main sensor, ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality is decent but not a primary focus for the Red Magic series. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional.
Performance
The Red Magic 6 Pro boasts a Snapdragon 888 with a slightly higher CPU clock speed (2.84 GHz vs 3.0 GHz on the 6s's X1 core). While the 888+ in the 6s is generally faster, the Pro's higher clock speed gives it a slight edge in demanding games. Both phones have ample RAM (12GB/16GB) and storage (128GB/256GB/512GB) for smooth multitasking and game installations.
Battery Life
This is where the Red Magic 6 Pro truly shines. Its 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The 6s's 30W charging is significantly slower. Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s is ideal for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful Snapdragon 888+ experience. The Red Magic 6 Pro is for those who demand the absolute fastest charging speeds and a slight performance boost, justifying the higher price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 6s worth buying if I don't need the fastest charging?
Absolutely! The 6s offers excellent performance and a great gaming experience at a more affordable price point. It's a fantastic option if you prioritize power over charging speed.
❓ What is the difference between the Red Magic 6 and the 6 Pro?
The 6 Pro generally has a slightly better display, faster charging, and a marginally more powerful processor. It also features an under-display front camera, a unique design element.
