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 6R to determine which offers the best gaming experience and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 6s edges out the 6R thanks to its slightly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset and quicker charging. However, the 6R boasts significantly faster charging speeds (55W vs 30W) and exceptional battery life, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing longevity.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 06 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 27 | Available. Released 2021, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.2 x 9.5 mm (6.69 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 163 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | Pressure sensitive zones (450Hz touch-sensing)
Sliding trigger on the back
Built-in cooling fan
RGB Light | Pressure sensitive zones (400Hz touch-sensing) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 165Hz, 700 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 770 nits (peak) |
| 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 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, (wide) |
| 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.2, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 | 55W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (China)
30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 (International) |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Transparent | Black, Mercury Silver, Light Blue |
| Models | - | NX666J |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 500 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 6s
- Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 888+)
- Faster charging (30W)
- Potentially better display calibration
- Slower charging than 6R
- Battery life not as impressive as 6R
- Higher price
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R
- Significantly longer battery life
- Faster charging (55W)
- Potentially better value
- Excellent display contrast
- Slightly less powerful processor (Snapdragon 888)
- May have slightly less refined software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The 6R advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, which is a nominal marketing term, but suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors. While both are excellent, the 6s might have slightly better color calibration due to its more premium positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally similar on both devices. Both feature a triple-camera setup, likely with a 64MP main sensor. Image quality is decent for a gaming phone, but not a primary strength. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional. The 6R might have slightly better software optimization for camera processing.
Performance
The Red Magic 6s holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 888+ chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the 6R's Snapdragon 888, especially in demanding games and multitasking. Expect smoother frame rates and quicker load times on the 6s.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 6R shines in this category. Its larger battery capacity and optimized power management result in significantly longer battery life. The 6R's 55W charging is also a major advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the 6s's 30W charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6s is ideal for hardcore gamers who demand the absolute best performance and appreciate faster charging. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R is a better choice for gamers who prioritize battery life, value, and don't mind a slightly less powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ in the 6s worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious gamer who demands the absolute best performance, then yes. The 888+ offers a noticeable improvement in frame rates and overall responsiveness. However, for casual gamers, the difference might not be as significant.
❓ Which phone has better cooling?
Both phones feature advanced cooling systems, including vapor chambers and multiple layers of heat dissipation. While specific details vary, both are designed to handle sustained gaming loads effectively. Real-world performance will depend on the specific game and ambient temperature.
